eNews from SF Recreation and Parks- February 14, 2024

[SF Recreation and Parks]

Updates, news and events in San Francisco parks   Highlights, News & Announcements   New Improvements Unveiled at Lake Merced South Assemblymember Phil Ting, District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today the completion of several new upgrades at Lake Merced South, including ADA improvements, the addition of a fitness court and new benches and tables. The renovations at the park surrounding the freshwater lake in the city’s southwest corner are part of the larger Lake Merced Trail Improvement Project. The project was guided by a community process that allowed residents to voice what improvements they wanted to see at the park. A ribbon-cutting marked the completion of the project’s first phase, which added improvements such as a National Fitness Campaign fitness court with exercise equipment; two new picnic tables and benches; new ADA parking at the John Muir Drive lot; new signage along the asphalt trails; and landscaping upgrades including tree maintenance and new tree plantings. In addition, a new drinking fountain will be installed in the coming weeks. The project’s second phase, which will get underway later this spring, will focus on the lake’s northwest corner. The asphalt pathway will be reconstructed to make it ADA accessible, and the natural surface pathway will be repaved with softer soil that provides less impact for runners and walkers. Also, the parking lot along Lake Merced Boulevard will receive six new ADA parking spaces. Existing fitness stations along the lake will be replaced with new adult exercise equipment. The entire project is anticipated to wrap-up later this year. Funding for the $4.6 million renovation project came from the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Citywide Parks Program; the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Forestry Program; the 2018 Parks Bond Act’s Recreational Infrastructure Revenue Enhancement. In addition, Assemblymember Phil Ting helped secure $1 million for the project through state funding from the California Natural Resources Agency Grant. For more information, click the link below. Lake Merced South Improvements   New Live Music Kicks off in Civic Center Area: Next Show February 15 Civic Center Soundtrack, a free concert series by Illuminate, kicked off earlier this week at Fulton Plaza between San Francisco Main Library and the Asian Art Museum.   These diverse musical performances will be held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 3 p.m. The next show is on Thursday, February 15. The full lineup can be found at this link.   The six-month long music series is part of a larger effort by City and community agencies to enliven Fulton Plaza. Illuminate will install a massive koi mural by artist Jeremy Novy by the end of February. Later this spring, a programmable LED installation by artist Josh Huber will be hung above the plaza the roofs of the Asian Art Museum and the Main Library.   The Civic Center Soundtrack concert series joins an increasingly exciting roster of events, art installations and games at the three adjacent gathering spaces that make up the Civic Center area—Civic Center Plaza, Fulton Plaza, and UN Plaza.   New additions and upcoming events include: Two new cornhole boards and three new foosball tables added to UN Plaza’s collection of chess, checkers, ping pong and more. Elements from artist Charles Gadeken’s illuminated installation Entwined Meadow at UN Plaza. The nine shrub sculptures, each composed of hundreds of LED lights at varying heights, provide an interactive experience of changing colors and patterns. Bay Area Skate Fest at UN Skate Plaza on Sunday, February 18. This free, all-ages event will feature skateboard lessons with gear provided by Skate Like a Girl from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lessons will be followed by an open skate session, trick contest, and more from 1 to 3 p.m. A 10 percent discount for federal, state and city employees at Assembly Café in Civic Center Plaza. Rec and Park, in partnership with the Civic Center Community Benefit District, Urban Alchemy, San Francisco Public Library, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Parks Alliance, Illuminate and recreation providers, is transforming United Nations Plaza and the surrounding Civic Center area by activating these public spaces with an array of recreational offerings and amenities.   Ongoing activations at UN Plaza include a 13,000 square-foot skateboarding area with iconic elements from San Francisco’s street skating history and a Fitness Court by the National Fitness Campaign offering strength training equipment as well as free group exercise classes through Rae Studios. In addition, Rec and Park provides free Zumba and yoga classes at both UN Plaza and Civic Center Plaza. Fulton Plaza hosts the Heart of the City Farmers Market, Artisan Gift Gallery, and all-ages open roller skating. For a full schedule, click the link below. Civic Center Plazas   Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse Reopening on February 16 Join us for the reopening of the Golden Gate Park Golf Clubhouse on Friday, February 16 at 11 a.m. This event will celebrate the brand new clubhouse with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The clubhouse will serve as a hub for the 9-hole par 3 course, which is popular both with new players and experts. Learn more about the project at the link below. The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is operated by First Tee San Francisco, a nonprofit youth development organization that teaches kids leadership, self-confidence and resilience through golf. First Tee is located at four sites in the Bay Area and serves more than 15,000 youth. It provides youth classes as well as tee times. Golden Gate Park Golf Clubhouse Project   Bay Area Skate Fest at UN Skate Plaza on February 18 Join Rec and Park, Skate Like a Girl, FTC, and For the Town Skateboarding for the Bay Area Skate Fest on Sunday, February 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UN Skate Plaza (50 United Nations Plaza). This free, all-ages event will feature skateboard lessons with gear provided by Skate Like a Girl from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lessons will be followed by an open skate session, trick contest, and more from 1 to 3 p.m. Help celebrate the new skate space and the skateboarding community! For more information, click the link below. Bay Area Skate Fest   Silver Terrace Playground Design Survey Open Through February 15 The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is planning improvements for Silver Terrace Playground, including upgrades to the park’s irrigation system, landscaping, fencing, and picnic seating, as well as an addition of a Nature Exploration Area. We’re at the very beginning of this design process and looking for your feedback on the project. Click this link to take the design survey.   For additional information, contact Keri Ayers by email at keri.ayers at sfgov.org or by phone at (628) 652-6642. Learn more about the project at the link below. Silver Terrace Playground Improvements   Share Feedback on Gene Friend Art Proposals by February 23 The San Francisco Arts Commission is conducting a review process to choose an artist to create an integrated wall artwork for the interior north-facing wall of the gymnasium at the new Gene Friend Recreation Center. Three artists were chosen as finalists by a public art review panel to design site-specific proposals for this artwork opportunity: Adrian Arias, Cece Carpio, and ChiChai Mateo. The artwork should illuminate the rich history and full diversity of San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood including recognition of SOMA Pilipinas, the Filipino Cultural Heritage District. The artwork should also lift up the facility as a destination and proud neighborhood asset. Click the link below to review the artwork proposals and provide feedback by Friday, February 23 at 5 p.m. Art Proposals for Gene Friend Rec Center   Summer Resource Fair at the County Fair Building on February 24 Join Rec and Park and the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF) for our Summer Resource Fair! The citywide event takes place on Saturday, February 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue). Get started on planning your family's summer, as this event will feature 100 summer camps, classes, programs, and services for children in grades K-8. For more information, click the link below. Summer Resource Fair   11th and Natoma Park Community Meeting on March 7 In partnership with community organizations from the SoMa neighborhood, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is taking proposals for the naming of a new park located within western SoMa at the intersection of 11th and Natoma streets. This initiative aims to involve the community in selecting a meaningful and appropriate name that resonates with the park's location, historical significance, or honors an individual's contributions to the SoMa community. Take this survey to provide feedback on the submitted names and participate in the third and final community meeting on Thursday, March 7 at 6 p.m. For more information, click the link below. 11th & Natoma Naming Proposals   Noe Valley Town Square Restroom Project Begins We're flush with excitement to share that construction has begun on the Noe Valley Town Square Restroom Project. We're currently preparing the site for the delivery of the prefabricated modular restroom, donated by the Public Restroom Company and Volumetric Building Companies. The new restroom structure is complete, ready to ship, and painted to match the existing chairs and trellis on site. Delivery is anticipated in early-March, with installation to follow. We anticipate rolling out this new park feature in April, weather-permitting. Learn more and stay up to date on the project page at the link below. Noe Valley Town Square Restroom   Teqball Comes to the Beach Chalet In case you missed it with all of the wet weather, Teqball has come to Golden Gate Park! The tables, which migrated from UN Plaza, are located just north of the Beach Chalet athletic fields. Get in some sets before the rain returns.   Magnolias in Peak Bloom at the San Francisco Botanical Garden Magnificent Magnolias are in peak bloom at the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue). Anticipated to last two weeks, experience the peak bloom of one of the most significant conservation collections of magnolias in the United States. Admire the sights and scents on the branches of more than 200 elegant trees, as velvety silver buds and saucer-sized pink, white, and magenta flowers make an appearance in this spectacular annual bloom. For more information, click the link below. Magnificent Magnolias   Loving our Urban Wildlife on Valentine's Day Howl you doing this Valentine's Day? Did you know coyotes mate for life? As we enter pupping season, let's paws for a moment to appreciate the "coyote-ally" awesome bond they share. Join the celebration of love and nature this season—coyotes are proof that some bonds are truly fur-ever!   May your day be filled with as much love and joy as a coyote family during pupping season. Learn more about living with urban wildlife, including coyotes, from San Francisco Animal Care and Control at the link below. Photo Credit: Don't Feed the Coyotes Living with Urban Wildlife   Park Padel at Embarcadero Plaza Check out Park Padel's new one-year pop-up courts located in Embarcadero Plaza! Padel, frequently described as a cross between tennis and squash, is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Like pickleball, padel is easy to learn, social, and usually played as a doubles game on a court about a third of the size of a tennis court. However, padel courts are bounded by glass walls, allowing players to hit the ball off multiple surfaces, much like squash. Free play with advanced reservation takes place Monday through Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information and to make a reservation, click the link below. Park Padel   Severe Storm Impacts in our Parks San Francisco is in the midst of some wet and windy weather that is expected to continue over the next couple of weeks. While using your parks, please be alert as strong gusts can topple healthy trees and snap limbs. In addition, there may be flooding throughout sections of our parks. Please avoid all flooded areas. Stay up to date on park impacts and closures at sfrecpark.org. In addition, be sure to check out tips for what to do during severe storms from the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management at the link below. Severe Storm Info   Upcoming Events   Tai Chi at the Silver Terrace Basketball Courts on February 15 Celebrate the Lunar New Year with free Tai Chi classes in the park on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Silver Terrace (1700 Silver Avenue) basketball courts with the next on February 15. Hosted by the San Francisco Parks Alliance, classes are open to all ages and will run through March 14, offering a chance to improve your balance, concentration, and self-awareness through this graceful art. For more information and to sign up, click the link below. Tai Chi at Silver Terrace   71st Annual Pacific Orchid Expo in Golden Gate Park February 16 to 18 Join the San Francisco Orchid Society for its 71st Annual Pacific Orchid Exposition Show and Plant Sale from February 16 to 18 at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park. There will be a preview night on Thursday, February 15. Grab some orchids to spruce up your place this winter! For more information and to buy tickets, click the link below. Pacific Orchid Expo   Francisco Park Volunteer Day on February 17 Join the Francisco Park (Francisco and Larkin streets) Conservancy for a volunteer day on Saturday, February 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. Come garden with your neighbors and help with planting and garden maintenance. Questions? Email volunteer at franciscopark.org or sign up at the link below. Francisco Park Volunteer Sign Up   Lunar New Year Basketball Jamboree on February 17 Swing by the Basketball Jamboree at Betty Ann Ong Recreation Center this Saturday, February 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Betty Ann Ong Recreation Center (1199 Mason Street). A Lunar New Year tradition and part of the Alaska Airlines Chinese New Year Festival and Parade festivities, come out to the court to see which players from the community take flight and catch fire in the Year of the Dragon! For more information, click the link below. Basketball Jamboree   Black History Month Parade and Community Party on February 24 Join community partners for a Black History Month parade and community party on Saturday, February 24. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at the Ruth Williams Opera House (4705 3rd Street) and ends at the Southeast Community Center (1550 Evans Avenue) where there will be a community celebration featuring food, entertainment, kid zone and more! The India Basin Waterfront Park project partners will be supporting the event at the Southeast Community Center and will have have an outreach table where you can learn more about the project. Additionally, Hip Hop for Change (HH4C), who will begin park programming at India Basin Shoreline Park this year, will be tabling with the project partners to recruit for their 2024 program. They will also be organizing a number of workshops and performances at this event. Learn more about HH4C at the link below. Hip Hop for Change   Programming   Bean Sprout Family Days Return to the SF Botanical Garden February 17 The San Francisco Botanical Garden's (1199 9th Avenue) Bean Sprout Family Days return this Saturday, February 17. Family Days take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Help start seeds and explore all of the growth that happened in the garden over winter. Grab some tools at the garden's welcome station or bring your own to dig, water, pick, build and explore. Heavy rain will cancel programs. All programs are free of charge with admission and no preregistration is required. For more information, click the link below. Bean Sprout Family Days   Mobile Rec at Potrero Hill Playground on February 17 Mobile Rec comes to Potrero Hill Playground (733 Arkansas Street) on Saturday, February 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy free BMX biking, skateboarding and more. Equipment will be provided. Grind rails and catch some air! For more information, click the link below. Mobile Rec   Sundays at the Beach on the Great Highway: Tai Chi on February 18 Join the Friends of Great Highway Park for its Sundays at the Beach programming. These free activities from live music to mat yoga, will be hosted four times a month. The next program will be Tai Chi on Sunday, February 18, at Judah Street and the Great Highway at 10 a.m. For more information, click the link below. Great Highway Park   Movie Night at Glen Park Recreation Center on February 20 Join our staff at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) for classic movie nights! The next one will take place on Tuesday, February 20, beginning at 6 p.m. and will be a vintage cartoon night. Come out to meet your neighbors and to enjoy these vintage films. For more information, contact the center at (415) 239-4007.   Mission Rec Rebels Girls Basketball Tryouts Begin February 27 The Mission Recreation Center (MRC) Rebels girls AAU basketball program is holding tryouts for its storied program! Tryouts begin on Tuesday, February 27 for grades 4 to 8, with high school level tryouts beginning on Wednesday, March 6. All tryouts take place at Mission Recreation Center (2450 Harrison Street) beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information and to register, click the link below. Mission Rec Rebels   Pablo Ramirez Community Skate Jam at Waller Street Skate Park As a part of Pablo Weekend, the Pablo Ramirez Foundation hosted its community skate jam at Waller Street Skate Park last weekend. Our Video of the Week comes from the event, which was all love on what would have been Pablo's 31st birthday. Thank you Pablo for continuing to bring the community together to show us that life is beautiful. Learn more about his life and legacy at the link below. Pablo Ramirez Foundation   San Francisco Recreation and Parks | sfrecpark.org         SF Recreation and Parks | McLaren Lodge-Golden Gate Park, 501 Stanyan Street, San Francisco , CA 94117 Unsubscribe house at digitalkingdom.org Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by sean.d.white at sfgov.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!
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