Reminder: eNews from SF Recreation and Parks- May 1, 2024

[SF Recreation and Parks]

Updates, news and events in San Francisco parks   Highlights, News & Announcements   JFK Promenade Celebrates Four Years; New Installations in 2024 The JFK Promenade, a cherished 1.5-mile stretch of car-free recreation, culture, and enjoyment, commemorated its fourth anniversary last Sunday. The celebration in Peacock Meadow was hosted by Walk SF and its partners Rec and Park, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, KidSafe SF, and Church of 8 Wheels. Since its closure to vehicular traffic in April of 2020, the Promenade has seen 12.6 million visits, establishing it as San Francisco's most frequented open space. Once on the City’s high-injury network, the street has transformed into a vibrant hub for interactive art, cycling, walking, dancing, and rolling. The pedestrian-friendly oasis has been enhanced with dozens of accessibility upgrades through Rec and Park and SFMTA, as well as a free shuttle, public pianos, seating areas, lawn games and live music. Among its new and upcoming installations: ‘Nature’s Future is Our Future,’ installed last week, features 12 California historical markers from the future highlighting the importance of nature-based climate solutions. Designed by The Nature Conservancy and fabricated by Exploratorium staff, the markers invite viewers to experience two future Californias: One that has invested in nature’s ability to protect us; and another that has left nature behind. Nature’s Future is Our Future will run through November. New and refurbished public pianos, Part of Illuminate’s Golden Mile Project, have begun to dot the Promenade. Check out Fleetwood, newly painted in March with a heron mural by artist Chris Granillo and keep your eyes (and ears) open for two more pianos coming soon. The Pop-Up Beer and Wine Garden will relaunch Saturday, May 25 during Memorial Day weekend. Visitors at NonPlusUltra’s seasonal, weekend installation can pull together a few Adirondack chairs or grab one of the picnic tables and enjoy live music programmed by Illuminate, as well as interactive games. The Geez Freeze, a frozen dessert food truck in La Cocina's incubator program will begin vending at Golden Gate Park starting on Thursday, May 2. It will serve frozen treats on the JFK Promenade across from the Conservatory of Flowers Thursday to Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Gayle Hart, the owner of the food truck, is a San Francisco native who was born and raised in the Fillmore and grew up going to Hamilton Recreation Center. In the past four years, the Promenade’s single busiest day was Sunday, May 24, 2020, when more than 40,000 people visited on Memorial Day weekend during the height of the pandemic. The Promenade is most popular in the late afternoons and early evenings, with about half of all daily visitors enjoying it between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. In the last year, an average of 8,000 visits were made on weekends and holiday days, and an average of 5,800 visits per weekday. Originally closed by Mayor London Breed’s emergency declaration during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Supervisors passed legislation to make JFK Promenade’s car-free status permanent two years later. That decision was reaffirmed by San Francisco voters in November 2022. Learn more at the link below. JFK Promenade Celebrates Four Years   Skate Rentals Launch in Golden Gate Park Golden Gate Park visitors who don’t have their own pair of skates are now able to experience the beloved Skatin’ Place on the JFK Promenade thanks to new skate rentals, which launched last Saturday. The skate rentals, provided by DMJ Skates Sport Marketing LLC, will take place Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Skatin’ Place, located on the JFK Promenade near Sixth Avenue. Reservations can be made at this link. DMJ Skate Sport Marketing LLC is owned and operated by David Miles Jr., who is famously known in San Francisco as the Godfather of Skate. From founding The Church of 8 Wheels on Fillmore Street to creating pop-up roller rinks for sought-after events like Burning Man and the Electric Daisy Carnival, Miles has dedicated his life to spreading positivity and fun through skating. Learn more at the link below. Skate Rentals in GGP   Japantown Community Breaks Ground on Peace Plaza Renovation Last Saturday, Mayor London Breed, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Assemblymember Phil Ting, the Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco, and the Japantown community, broke ground on the Peace Plaza Renovation Project. It is set to transform the historic plaza into a vibrant community space in the heart of Japantown, while preserving its unique legacy. The 32,000-square-foot plaza, originally built in the 1960s, serves as an important hub for the City’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The plaza’s iconic Peace Pagoda holds historical significance, as San Francisco’s Japanese sister city Osaka gifted the pagoda to the City in 1968. The project will waterproof the plaza to prevent water leakage to the Japan Center Garage underneath. Once the waterproofing is complete, the plaza will be reconstructed, with all the culturally significant elements such as boulders, plaques, bonsai trees, and monuments carefully salvaged and reinstalled. The plaza’s renovation will also provide new seating, new lighting, new plantings, and an upgraded pagoda. For more information, click the link below. Groundbreaking of Japantown Peace Plaza   EcoCenter Celebrates Earth Day and 14th Anniversary We celebrated Earth Day and the 14th anniversary of the EcoCenter in Heron's Head Park this past weekend with The Port of San Francisco! There were a number of outdoor activities from rock climbing to kayaking, as well as community resources, volunteer projects, performances and more. Additionally, the San Francisco Parks Alliance brought some live jazz music as a part of its Heart Your Parks screen print pop-up for Heron's Head Park. Thank you to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and to all of our community partners who helped us celebrate, as well as to all who have made the EcoCenter a natural oasis for the neighborhood and hub for outdoor learning for 14 years! Learn more about this facility at the link below. EcoCenter in Heron's Head Park   Activity and Class Schedule for Civic Center Plazas Check out all of the amazing drop-in activities and scheduled classes available at the reimagined UN Plaza and surrounding Civic Center area. From the Heart of the City Farmers' Market and live music at Fulton Plaza to Rec and Park yoga classes at UN Plaza, we have something for everyone to get out and play in San Francisco's core. See the workout class schedule from Rae Studios, as well as the full amenity list and schedule at the link below. Civic Center Plazas   We Players: Adventures with Alice in Golden Gate Park through June 2 We Players' hit performance “Adventures with Alice” has returned to Golden Gate Park! Shows run through June 2 for a total of 18 shows. While strolling through the park along with performers, audience members will be immersed in the story and the scenery. The production leads the audience on a one-mile exploration through the park to places such as Lindley Meadow, Hellman Hollow, JFK Drive, and Portals of the Past at Lloyd Lake. The story is a mash-up of the books “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass,” both written by Lewis Carroll. Audience members will enjoy seeing familiar characters such as Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Hare, and the Red Queen, among others, as they jaunt through the iconic city park. For more information, and to purchase tickets, click the link below. Adventures with Alice   SF Live Concert: Electric Fields at the Golden Gate Bandshell on May 4 Head to Golden Gate Park on Saturday, May 4 for the debut of SF Live at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell from 2 to 6 p.m. The free show, “Electric Fields,” will be a celebration of electronic music presented by The Great Northern and Monarch and featuring performances by Doc Martin, Galen, DJ M3, and more. Come out and dance in the heart of the park! For more information, click the link below. Electric Fields   Padel in the Park at Embarcadero Plaza on May 11 Come out to Park Padel's one-year pop-up courts at Embarcadero Plaza for its Padel in the Park tournament and celebration on Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Frequently described as a cross between tennis and squash, is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. The event will feature exhibition matches, as well as a tournament, along with a DJ, food trucks, free Padel clinics, a beer garden and more. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. Padel in the Park   SF Sea Lions Prepare for Regionals & Special Olympics USA Games The San Francisco Sea Lions is a swim program for those with special needs that has been based out of Sava Pool for the past 30 years. It is under the jurisdiction of Special Olympics Northern California and is part of the larger, worldwide Special Olympics organization. This program is for any and all special needs individuals who are looking to learn how to swim or practice the skills they already have in the water, with participant ages ranging from six to 60 years old. The team has had a number of swimmers compete in the Special Olympics USA Games, though they're still hoping to get one to the international games. One of their most accomplished swimmers is Kevin Chu, who represented Northern California at the Special Olympics USA Games two years ago and still swims with the team. The Sea Lions are currently preparing for the regional summer games taking place at Santa Clara University from June 28 to 30. While this program is incredibly accomplished as a competitive organization, its true impact is introducing those with special needs to the water. Sea Lion coaches Greg McKinney and Donna Kempner both shared that their favorite part of the program is watching new participants grow to become water safe, as well as comfortable and confident in the water. Coach Kempner also attributed a lot of the program's success to the local high school students who volunteer with the program. These volunteers provide a surplus of staff that can give individual attention and coaching to swimmers that help to develop their skills. Though not every participant goes on to swim competitively, most leave the program with a lifetime passion for the water. Learn more about the program and how to get involved at the link below. San Francisco Sea Lions   People of the Parks: Randall Museum Bug Day The annual Bug Day at the Randall Museum, which took place on April 20, was a success! Hundreds of families showed up throughout the day to the insect extravaganza, participating in hands-on science and art activities, games, giveaways, and even a bug costume contest. Cindy came out with her husband and 4-year-old daughter Chloe, who opted to wear butterfly wings for the event. “She’s learning about bugs at school and her teacher recommended Bug Day,” Cindy said of her daughter. “She knows way more about bugs than me.” It was the family’s first time at the Randall, but it won’t be their last. “It’s great that the event is both indoors and outdoors,” she said. “We will definitely come back.” The Randall Museum, founded in 1951, is filled with opportunities for youth and families to learn all about science, nature, and the arts. It features a STEM lab; a woodworking studio; art and ceramic studios; live animal exhibits; a working model railroad; and much more. Another amazing feature: it’s free! Plan your trip to the museum today. People of the Parks is a series of short stories, based on conversations with people we meet in San Francisco parks.   11th and Natoma Park Naming Proposal Survey Rec and Park, in partnership with community organizations from the SoMa neighborhood, have published the final survey for the naming of a new park located within western SoMa at the intersection of 11th and Natoma streets. The community is tasked with selecting a meaningful and appropriate name that resonates with the park's location, historical significance, or honors an individual's contributions to the South of Market community. For more information and to take the survey, click the link below. 11th & Natoma Naming Proposals   Golden Gate Park Carousel Proposal Opportunity Deadline May 6 Want to take a spin at managing a historic Merry-Go-Round? Rec and Park seeks proposals for the operation of the Golden Gate Park Carousel and its food and beverage kiosk. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6. For more information and to submit a proposal, click the link below. Questions? Contact Jackie Suen by email at Jackie.Suen at sfgov.org or by phone at (415) 831-6821. GGP Carousel RFP    Japantown History Mural Proposal Meeting on May 11 The San Francisco Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), working with the artistic team of MissionArt415 will create a mural on the exterior wall facing Geary Boulevard at the entrance to the Peace Plaza. They've held a series of meetings over the last year to collect and address feedback from the community. The current design depicts 116 years of community and aims to honor those who have contributed to Japantown in San Francisco. Join this group to see the proposal's progress and vision at a community meeting on Saturday, May 11 at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (1840 Sutter Street) from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be hybrid, where people can attend in person and virtually. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. Japantown Mural Community Meeting   Call for Artists for the Future Park at 11th and Natoma by May 24 The San Francisco Arts Commission, in partnership with Rec and Park, invites artists and artist teams to submit their qualifications for public art at the 11th and Natoma Park Project. The artist contract is for design only, with the budget of $25,000. It's inclusive of all artist's fees, as well as associated expenses for design and consultation during fabrication and installation. The budget does not include costs associated with travel. Note that the deadline to submit has been extended to Friday, May 24. For more information and to apply, click the link below. 11th & Natoma Call for Artists   Bay Area Musicians: Submit a Recording to Bay Beats by May 31 The San Francisco Public Library is looking for Bay Area musicians to submit recordings for Bay Beats, the library's free streaming music platform featuring the exciting, diverse sounds of Bay Area musicians. Selected artists will receive $250, with their work going out to thousands of new listeners on the platform. For more information, click the link below. Bay Beats   Rec and Park Job Openings Looking for a career change? Want to get outside with one of the best park systems in the country? Join our team! We're hiring a number of positions from administrative analyst to lifeguard, recreation leader, facility assistant and more. Click the link below to see current openings. Questions? email rpd_recruitment at sfgov.org. Rec and Park Jobs   Upcoming Events   Civic Center Soundtrack Concert Series on May 2, 3 and 7 Civic Center Soundtrack, a free concert series by Illuminate Live, is at Fulton Plaza between San Francisco Main Library and the Asian Art Museum this spring and summer. These diverse musical performances will be held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Thursday, May 2 from 2 to 5 p.m., we have Elliot Racine, Evan Anderson, and JW Blunt. David Amago, Junior Correa, and Three Flower Jam wrap up the week at the plaza on Friday, May 3 from noon to 3 p.m. Next week we have Don Shearer, No Country, and The Nother Mother Brothers on Tuesday, May 7 from noon to 3 p.m. For more information and the full concert schedule, click the link below. Illuminate Live   Hip Hop on the Plaza at UN Plaza on May 3 Join All the Way Live Foundation for Hip Hop on the Plaza this May at UN Plaza (Market and Hyde streets). We have a program every Friday this month, with the first on May 3 from 4 to 7 p.m., which will feature a hip hop dance workshop starting at 4:30 p.m., followed by a dance session. For more information, click the link below. All the Way Live Foundation     Illuminate Live at the Golden Gate Bandshell May 3, 5 and 8 Join us for free concerts with Illuminate Live at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive). For Friday Happy Hour on May 3, we have the Erik Jekabson Ensemble from 4:30 to 7 p.m. We have a special Cinco de Mayo Reggae Sunday on May 5 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. with DJ Guid8nce, Irie Dole, and Los Bahianatos. Next week, we have Singer/Songwriter Wednesday on May 8 with Louiza, Scatter Brained Uncle, and Uncle Grape from 4 to 7 p.m.  For more information and the full concert schedule, click the link below. Illuminate Live   "SF_retake" Opening Reception at Harvey Milk Photo Center on May 4 Swing by the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) for the opening reception of its SF_retake exhibit on Saturday, May 4 from 2 to 5 p.m. In 2004, a small creative team invited 20 established photographers from the art and editorial world, as well as a handful of newly emerging photographers, to document that post-internet megaboom-to-bust moment in time. In 2024, the change is evident in this new collection of photos. Fear of earthquakes has given way to fear of fiery air. Skepticism around powerful tech ownership has turned into skepticism around personal data ownership. Swing by to see this photo retake of San Francisco 20 years later. For more information, click the link below. SF_retake   Entwined: Elder Mother Closing Celebration on May 4 Swing by Golden Gate Park for the closing celebration for Entwined: Elder Mother, located near Peacock Meadow (240 John F. Kennedy Drive). It will take place on Saturday, May 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature live music with Mission Delirium. Come celebrate another year of light, color, and joy in Golden Gate Park. Learn more about the art installation at the link below. Entwined: Elder Mother   "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" Screening at Duboce Park on May 4 Join the Friends of Duboce Park (Duboce Avenue and Scott Street) upper lawn for a free movie night on Saturday, May 4 beginning at 8 p.m. The feature flick will be "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Bring a blanket or camp chairs for a night of community fun. May the 4th be with you!   For more information, email movienight at friendsofdubocepark.org. Duboce Park Movie Night   Golden Gate Park Band: Polish Constitution Day Celebration on May 5 Join the Golden Gate Park Band for its celebration of Polish Culture and Polish Constitution Day with the Lowiczanie Polish Folk ensemble of San Francisco on Sunday, May 5 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive). This free concert will feature a number of cultural performances and a keynote speech. For more information, click the link below Golden Gate Park Band   OMI Cleanup Day at Randolph and Bright Mini Park on May 11 Come out to Randolph and Bright Mini Park (100 Randolph Street) on Saturday, May 11 for a Oceanview, Merced Heights, and Ingleside (OMI) community cleanup day from 9 to 11 a.m. Rec and Park, in partnership with KABOOM!, will be making improvements to this park, which will feature a new children’s nature exploration area, paved areas, seating, planting, and fencing. Swing by the project outreach booth at the event to learn more about the project and to provide feedback. For more information and to volunteer, click the link below. OMI Cleanup Day   Summer City Classic at South Sunset Baseball Fields From June 14 to 16 Join Rec and Park and the San Francisco Police Activities League for the Summer City Classic baseball tournament from June 14 to 16 at the South Sunset baseball fields (40th Avenue and Vicente Street). There will be an 8U and 10U division. For more information and to register a team, click the link below. Questions? Email admin at sfpal.org. Summer City Classic   Programming   Gardens of Golden Gate Park Summer Camp for Middle Schoolers Are you a 6th to 8th grader looking to deepen your connection to nature? Join the Gardens of Golden Gate Park's new outdoor summer program. Garden camp activities are designed to engage middle school students through in-depth exploration of the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, which are made up of the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Japanese Tea Garden and Conservatory of Flowers. Learn about ecosystems, create your own garden projects, tour the gardens, and more! For more information, including dates, and to register, click the link below. Garden Camp   Sign Up for the SF Merionettes Artistic Swimming Summer Camp San Francisco Merionettes Artistic Swimming Team is hosting summer camps to introduce the sport of artistic swimming to swimmers. Taught by coaches who competed and trained at Olympics and National team levels, kids will improve their swimming techniques, learn the foundational skills of artistic swimming, and have fun trying a new sport. The camp will culminate in participants performing a small routine on the last day of class. Camps take place from June to August, with a camp location at Coffman Pool (1700 Visitacion Avenue). This camp is open to all genders; space is limited. For more information and to register, click the link below. SF Merionettes Summer Camp   Bean Sprouts Family Days at the San Francisco Botanical Garden Join the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue) for Bean Sprouts Family Days 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 Sprouts Family Days   Chess Club Thursdays in Glen Park Join the San Francisco Public Library and Rec and Park for chess club Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. Sessions take place at the Glen Park Branch Library (2835 Diamond Street) on the first, third and fifth Thursdays of the month, while sessions on the second and fourth Thursdays take place at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street). These sessions are for players of all skill levels including kids (6 and older), teens and adults. Improve your memory, concentration and logical thinking skills through this time-honored game! For more information, contact the recreation center at (415) 239-4007.   Drop-In Wheelchair Basketball at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center Glen Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) is hosting a free drop-in wheelchair basketball session every Saturday from 9 to 12:30 p.m. All ages are welcome. You don't have to have a mobility disability to participate, but you must be able to maneuver a wheelchair. Wheelchairs are available (will fit people at least 5-feet tall). Let's get hooping! Additional questions? Contact the recreation center at (415) 239-4007.   Heron Watch at Blue Heron Lake in Golden Gate Park on May 4 San Francisco Nature Education (SFNE) is hosting heron watch events at Blue Heron Lake in Golden Gate Park throughout the spring nesting season in April and May. They take place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the next on Saturday, May 4 Please note that all SFNE programs have moved to the observation site next to the Blue Heron Lake Boathouse. Meet SFNE staff there to see the three heron nests and chicks! Bring binoculars if you have them. For more information and to register, click the link below. (Photo Credit: Helene Sobol) Heron Watch   Mobile Rec at Palega Recreation Center on May 4 Mobile Rec comes to Palega Recreation Center (500 Felton) on Saturday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to free BMX biking and skateboarding, our rock wall will be available for aspiring climbers to reach new heights! Equipment will be provided. For more information, click the link below. Mobile Rec   Sundays at the Beach on the Great Highway: Mat Yoga on May 5 Join the Friends of Great Highway Park for its Sundays at the Beach programming. These free activities, from Mat Yoga to live music, will be hosted four times a month. The next program will be Chair Yoga on Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at Irving Street and the Great Highway. For more information, click the link below. Great Highway Park   Lottery for Senior Camp Mather Getaway Opens on May 6 Registration for the Senior Camp Mather Getaway lottery opens on Monday, May 6 at 10 a.m. and runs through Friday, May 24 at 5 p.m. This four-night trip will take place from August 18 to 22, providing an opportunity for ages 55 and up to relax, lounge, enjoy nature, and have a good time. Activities include art and crafts, sing-alongs, exercise classes, nature hikes, a one-day trip to Yosemite National Park, and more. For more information, including cost, requirements and how to register, click the link below. Camp Mather   Movie Night at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center on May 7 Join our staff at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) for classic movie nights! The next will take place on Tuesday, May 7, beginning at 6 p.m. and will feature the 1939 film "The Flying Deuces." Come out to meet your neighbors and to enjoy these vintage films. For more information, contact the recreation center at (415) 239-4007.   San Francisco Native Ray Davis Drafted to the Buffalo Bills Congratulations to Ray Davis, a running back from the University of Kentucky, on getting drafted by the Buffalo Bills! Born in San Francisco, Ray grew up playing sports in our parks, including football at Kezar Stadium. Our Video of the Week comes from ABC7 and highlights Ray's journey to the NFL, whose struggles growing up in foster care in San Francisco helped to make him who he is today. We wish him the best of luck with his NFL career! For additional information on Ray's story, read the Athletics' article at the link below. The Athletic: Ray Davis   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 rpdinfo at sfgov.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!
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