Rec & Park eNews - April 16, 2025

Wed Apr 16 21:24:27 PDT 2025

Updates, news & events in San Francisco parks

###  Highlights, News & Announcements

### Sunset Dunes Opens with Historic Celebration

Thousands of park lovers--including civic leaders, neighbors, seniors, children, and dogs--celebrated the historic opening of Sunset Dunes last weekend with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and day of oceanfront music, dance, art, and outdoor fun.

The opening marks a new chapter for San Francisco's coastline. Sunset Dunes is the largest pedestrian conversion project in California history, transforming 2 miles of the former Great Highway from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard into a vibrant, 50-acre surfside park.

Park-goers on Saturday strolled past vibrant murals celebrating surfing and sea life, engaged with interactive art installations, and watched as cyclists and skateboarders glided effortlessly through the new pump track. Others relaxed in newly added seating areas, enjoying the sound of local choirs and bands or took in cultural dance performances set against the backdrop of the ocean. Kites flew overhead as children practiced pedaling in the learn-to-bike zone and people with mobility challenges tried out adaptive bicycles.

San Francisco voters in November 2024 ended the pilot in favor of a fulltime and permanent oceanside park. City and state agencies quickly mobilized to implement the will of the voters. San Francisco Recreation and Parks, Municipal Transportation Agency, Public Works, and Public Utilities Commission, as well as Caltrans completed key infrastructure upgrades, including traffic improvements, sand relocation to protect wastewater infrastructure, and maintenance projects such as repaving and intersection upgrades.

Friends of Sunset Dunes, formerly Friends of Ocean Beach Park, played a key role in enhancing the visitor experience--donating a new bicycle pump track and an array of temporary art installations that bring color and creativity to the shoreline while celebrating the community's connection to the coast.

Looking ahead, Rec and Park will begin work later this year to better understand long-term possibilities for the park. Thanks to a generous $1 million grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy, this work will lay the foundation for a comprehensive community engagement process set to begin in 2026, when community members and the parks department will work together to shape a shared vision for the future of Sunset Dunes.

A special thanks to Mayor Daniel Lurie, State Senator Scott Wiener, Supervisor Joel Engardio, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California Coastal Commission, California Academy of Sciences, and everyone who made this park possible! For more information, click the link below.

Sunset Dunes Opening (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/c8sxet)

### Easter on the Way at Sunset Dunes on April 19

The family-friendly fun continues at Sunset Dunes this weekend! Hop on over to the park for Easter on the Way on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will take place between Judah and Lawton streets and feature plastic-free egg hunts, live music, bubble play, bounce houses, photos with the Beach Bunny, live music, a tiny train to take you down the Dunes, and more. For more information, click the link below.

Easter on the Way (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/s0txet)

### Spring Fling Celebration at Crocker Amazon Park on April 19

Rec and Park's seasonal party is coming to Crocker Amazon Park (799 Moscow Street) on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join us for Spring Fling, which will include live entertainment, carnival rides and games, egg hunt, arts and crafts and more. Food trucks will be available when you work up an appetite. Swing by for free springtime fun for the entire family!

There will be free bike valet parking and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided at this event. For accommodations, please contact us at rpdaccess at sfgov.org (mailto:rpdaccess at sfgov.org) or (415) 831-6834. Making your request at least 72 hours before the event will help ensure availability.

For more information, click the link below.

Spring Fling (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/8suxet)

### Peace, Love & Volo Day Returns to Golden Gate Park on April 20

For the
second consecutive year (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/olvxet), Volo Sports will bring its annual Peace, Love and Volo Field Day to Golden Gate Park on Sunday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Robin Williams Meadow and Hippie Hill.

In addition to volleyball and kickball tournaments and open play, the event will also feature activities such as spikeball and cornhole, food trucks, giveaways, and more. Participants are encouraged to wear their best sixties-themed costumes and tie-dye.

All proceeds will go toward supporting the Volo Kids Foundation, which provides free sports programming to children in underserved areas of San Francisco. For more information and to sign up, click the link below.

Volo Field Day (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/4dwxet)

### EcoCenter's 15th Anniversary & Earth Month Celebration on April 26

Come out to the
EcoCenter in Heron (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/k6wxet)
(32 Jennings Street) for its 15th Anniversary and Earth Month celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event will feature activities, games, a volunteer work day, community resources, free books and more. For more information and to RSVP for this free event, click the link below

EcoCenter Anniversary (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/0yxxet)

### Earth Month in our Parks: Earth Day at Alemany Farm on April 26

Happy Earth Month! Celebrate by getting outside in our parks with a number of activities and events in April, including Alemany Farm's (700 Alemany Boulevard) Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event will feature potato planting, farm tours, face painting, DJ, live music by Duo Pizzicato, the traditional pig roast, and more. For more information,
click this link (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/gryxet).

Check out our full list of what you can do to celebrate and steward our planet at the link below!

Earth Month in our Parks (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/wjzxet)

### Apply for the San Francisco Youth Commission by April 30

Are you between the ages of 12 and 23 and ready to make a difference in your community? The
San Francisco Youth Commission (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/cc0xet)
is now accepting applications for its next cohort of youth leaders! The Youth Commission is a diverse group of 17 young San Franciscans appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to serve as the official youth voice in City Hall. This isn't just an after-school program--it's a chartered commission, written into city law, where you'll have a seat at the table on policy and budget decisions that impact young people across the city. For details, including upcoming information sessions and to apply, click the link below.

SF Youth Commission (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/s40xet)

###  Upcoming Events

### Civic Center Soundtrack Series at Fulton Plaza on April 17 & 22

Civic Center Soundtrack, a free concert series by Illuminate Live, is at Fulton Plaza (Fulton and Larkin streets) between San Francisco Main Library and the Asian Art Museum. These diverse musical performances will be held every Tuesday and Thursday. See the upcoming shows:

          April 17 | Noon-3 p.m. - Don Shearer, Kevin Coffey, and Marlina Teich

          April 22 | Noon-3 p.m. - Gaby, Lolah, and Lost Coast

For the full concert schedule, click the link below.

Illuminate Live (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/8w1xet)

### Golden Gate Park Band Kicks Off 2025 Season on April 18

The Golden Gate Park Band kicks off its 2025 season with a special Friday show on April 18 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive). The opening concert is a big band dance party in collaboration with
Illuminate Live (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/op2xet)'s Friday Happy Hour series. The band will become an 18 piece big band with some special guests playing swing, blues and other genres. For more information, click the link below.

Golden Gate Park Band (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/4h3xet)

### Illuminate Live at the Bandshell on April 18, 19, 20 & 23

Join us for free concerts with Illuminate Live at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) between the
California Academy of Sciences (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/ka4xet)
and
de Young Museum (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/024xet)
in Golden Gate Park. See the upcoming shows:

April 18 | 4:30-7 p.m.

Friday Happy Hour featuring the Golden Gate Park Big Band

April 19 | Noon-4 p.m.

Bicycle Day at The Golden Gate Bandshell Featuring Whiskerman

April 20 | 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Reggae Sunday featuring DJ Guid8nce, DJ Sep, Irie Dole, and Prezident Brown

April 23 | Noon-4 p.m.

Singer/Songwriter Wednesday featuring Jesse Loren Strickman, Keepers of Humanity, and Michael Annotti.

For the full concert schedule, click the link below.

Illuminate Live (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/gv5xet)

###  "The Day The Sky Turned Orange" Workshop Production: April 18-20 & 25-27

Join
Young People’s Teen Musical Theatre Company (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/wn6xet)
(YPTMTC) for a special workshop production of "The Day The Sky Turned Orange," an upcoming R&B musical with a script by Julius Rea and music by Olivia Kuper Harris and David Michael Ott. Featuring new student-created content alongside the script, this workshop brings YPTMTC's director and young performers together with the creative team behind the production's upcoming world premiere this fall, which is co-produced by SFBATCO and Z Space. A heartfelt call for environmental awareness, the story follows a group of students fighting to hold onto hope during the 2020 Covid lockdowns, as wildfire smoke turns Bay Area skies orange.

These productions will take place Fridays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m. the weekends of April 18 to 20 and 25 to 27 at the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way). For more information and to purchase tickets, click the link below.

The Day the Sky Turned Orange (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/cg7xet)

### 2nd Annual Bernal Heights Earth Day Stroll on April 19

Come out for the 2nd annual Bernal Heights Earth Day Stroll on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join your neighbors for a day of environmental celebration, education, and action throughout Bernal Heights. The Earth Day Stroll features numerous activities and attractions spread along Cortland Avenue and the paths of Bernal Hill. For more information, click the link below.

Earth Day Stroll (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/s87xet)

### San Francisco Botanical Garden's Earth Day Celebration on April 19

Head over to the
San Francisco Botanical Garden (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/808xet)
(1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park for a celebration of Earth Day in the Great Meadow on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the garden or walk over to the Children's Garden. This event is free with admission. Activities will be offered while supplies last. For more information, click the link below.

Earth Day Celebration (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/ot9xet)

### Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Easter Event at Dolores Park on April 20

Join the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for its anniversary event at Dolores Park (Dolores and 19th streets) on Sunday, April 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's event will feature an egg hunt and other family-friendly activities for children's Easter from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Afterwards, there will be performances and the famous Foxy Mary and Hunky Jesus contests from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, click the link below.

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/4layet)

### Earth Day Celebration at Jefferson Square Park on April 26

Join the Tenderloin Merchants Association at Jefferson Square Park (Eddy and Gough streets) for its Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a volunteer cleanup, ceremonial tree planting, brief remarks, and a cake picnic. For more information, click the link below.

Cake Picnic & Cleanup (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/kebyet)

### DogFest at Duboce Park on April 26

Join McKinley Elementary for DogFest, a celebration of dogs, families and community at Duboce Park (Duboce Avenue and Scott Street) on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This charitable event raises funds for McKinley Elementary and features doggie contests and treats, games, activities, and more. For more information and to register your dog, click the link below.

Dogfest (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/06byet)

### Francisco Park's 3rd Birthday Celebration on April 27

The Francisco Park (Bay and Larkin streets) Conservancy will be celebrating the park's third birthday on Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be yoga, bubbles and face painting, coffeeklatch, and a cake picnic at 1 p.m. For more information, including on how to participate in the cake picnic, click the link below.

Francisco Park Birthday (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/gzcyet)

### JFK Promenade's 5th Anniversary Community Picnic on April 27

Join community partners in celebrating the fifth anniversary of the
JFK Promenade (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/wrdyet)
with a community picnic on Sunday, April 27 from noon to 3 p.m. It will take place at Peacock Meadow east of the
San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/ckeyet)
by the
Solar Arch (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/scfyet). The event will feature activities for all ages as well as food trucks. For more information, click the link below.

JFK Anniversary (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/84fyet)

### Programming & Regular Series

### Register for the Giants Community Fund Baseball & Softball Academy

Registration is now open for the third year of the Giants Community Fund and Rec and Park's competitive baseball and softball academy beginning this summer. The goal of the academy is to grow baseball and softball in San Francisco's underserved communities through free programming for middle and high school athletes. Team equipment and uniforms are provided, while head coaches and umpires are paid for by the Giants Community Fund.

Additionally, the academy will feature various speakers who will talk with participants and provide insight on their careers in the sports industry and beyond. For more information and to sign up, click the link below.

Questions? Email mailto:academy at sfgiants.com (mailto:academy at sfgiants.com).

Baseball & Softball Academy (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/oxgyet)

### Activity & Class Schedule for Civic Center Plazas

Check out all of the amazing drop-in activities and scheduled classes available at the
reimagined UN Plaza (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/4phyet)
and surrounding Civic Center area. From the
Heart of the City Farmers (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/kiiyet)
% link:https://illuminate.org/events/ name="noopener noreferrer" content="" %]at Fulton Plaza to free skateboarding lessons 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 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/0ajyet)
at UN Plaza, as well as the full amenity list and schedule at the link below.

Civic Center Plazas (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/g3jyet)

### Programming at Union Square in 2025

Union Square Plaza (333 Post Street) is your 2025 destination for fun, free outdoor programming. Come out to the park Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a kids zone, giant games, recess cart, and reading and chess pavilion or break a sweat, listen to music or discover a new hobby. This week will have live music, cardio dance workouts, chess and juggling lessons, crafts activities including clay tile imprints and pom pom Easter animals, and more! For more information and to view the programming schedule at the Square, click the link below.

Union Square Programming (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/wvkyet)

### Bean Sprouts Family Days at the San Francisco Botanical Garden

Come dig, smell, taste, build, and explore with the
San Francisco Botanical Garden (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/colyet)
(1199 9th Avenue) on Bean Sprouts Family Days presented by Kaiser Permanente. Come out for family fun in the Children's Garden on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and the first Saturdays of each month from noon to 4 p.m. Programs are free with admission to the garden with no pre-registration required. For more information, click the link below.

Bean Sprouts Family Days (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/sgmyet)

### Mini Indoor Archery Range Open on Thursdays at Mission Recreation Center

Check out the new mini indoor archery range at Mission Recreation Center (2450 Harrison Street). It's open on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. through May 15. There will be paper and 3D targets with all bow and arrow types welcome. Equipment for loan will also be available. For more information and to sign up for a session, click the link below.

Archery Programming (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/88myet)

### Drop-In Wheelchair Basketball at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center

Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) is hosting a free drop-in wheelchair basketball session every Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. in partnership with BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation. 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 for participants at least 5 feet tall. Let's get hooping!

Additional questions? Contact
Glen Park Recreation Center (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/o1nyet)
at (415) 239-4007.

### Swing into Stories at Redwood Grove Playground in McLaren Park on April 22

The San Francisco Public Library's (SFPL) YouthMobile is coming to parks around the city. Movement and play are key to fostering literacy and a love of reading and the SFPL is bringing stories and song to San Francisco's parks through its Swing into Stories program. It takes place at a different park each Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon (Storytime begins at 10:30 a.m.) with the next at the Redwood Grove Playground (200 John F. Shelley Drive) in McLaren Park on April 22.

The YouthMobile offers a diverse selection of children's library materials available for checkout with an SFPL library card. For more information and the Swing into Stories schedule, click the link below.

Swing into Stories (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/4toyet)

### Movie Nights at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center on April 22

Join our staff at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) for classic movie nights! The next will take place on Tuesday, April 22 beginning at 6 p.m. and will feature the 1947 film "For You I Die." Come meet your neighbors and enjoy these vintage films. For more information, contact
Glen Park Recreation Center (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/kmpyet)
at (415) 239-4007.

### Tot Outdoor Exploration at Glen Canyon Park Begins on April 24

Come out for Tot Outdoor Exploration at Glen Canyon Park (Elk and Chenery streets) on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning April 24. Designed for ages 4 to 5, introduce your little ones to the wonders of nature with mini-hikes, beginner-friendly archery, and arts and crafts inspired by the great outdoors. Each child must be accompanied by a participating adult. For more information and to sign up, click the link below.

Tot Outdoor Exploration (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/0eqyet)

### Young at Heart Intergenerational Program: April Showers on April 28

The next Young at Heart intergenerational program, which takes place at the Golden Gate Park Senior Center (6101 Fulton Street), is on Monday, April 28 from 10 to 10:40 a.m. This event will feature an April showers themed story time and craft activity. These programs aim to bring children, families, and seniors together in a unique way to share stories, participate in activities, and more. For more information and to RSVP, call (415) 518-7725 or email katherine.villasin at sfgov.org (mailto:katherine.villasin at sfgov.org).

### Video of the Week

 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/g7qyet)

###  Lasers Shine from UN Plaza onto City Hall in Honor of 415 Day

A belated happy 415 Day! In honor of San Francisco's 175th birthday, our
Video of the Week (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/wzryet)
comes from the
heart of the city (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/cssyet)
we love, capturing the nine laser space cannons deployed by
Illuminate (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/sktyet)as they shine on the gold-leaf dome of City Hall. Here's to the next 175 years in San Francisco--and to the parks, places, and people that make it shine.

 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/8cuyet)

Job Openings (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/o5uyet)

 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/4xvyet)

Rec and Park Gear (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/kqwyet)

 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/0ixyet)

Volunteer with Us! (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/gbyyet)

San Francisco Recreation and Parks |
sfrecpark.org (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0mw4pj/wfcl20hc/w3yyet)

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