Rec & Park eNews - December 31, 2025

Wed Dec 31 20:03:44 PST 2025

Your weekly scoop on San Francisco parks

###  Highlights, News & Announcements

### Happy New Year from Rec & Park

Happy New Year from Rec and Park. With a stormy forecast for the region through the coming week, please be alert if using your parks, as strong gusts can topple healthy trees and snap limbs.

However, we have plenty for you to do in 2026, come rain or shine. Whether your New Year's goals include getting more active, spending time in nature, finding a new hobby, or giving back, our parks offer plenty of ways to start the year strong. Outdoor options include exploring one of our 12 urban trails, joining an outdoor fitness class at parks from U.N. Plaza to Sunset Dunes, or volunteering at a community workday. At recreation facilities across the city, you can also swim laps at our pools or take part in a wide range of activities and programs, from sports and dance to art and STEM classes. See all that our parks have to offer at the link below.

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### 2026 Camp Mather Lottery Open through January 2

Lottery registration for Camp Mather's 102nd season is currently open and will run through Friday, January 2, 2026. Family Camp will run in weeklong sessions from May 31 through August 15, with
Inclusion Week from June 21 to 27 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/wz7eyv).

To register for the lottery, you will need a Rec and Park account. If you don't have an account, you can create one at
sfrecpark.org/register (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/cs8eyv)
or call us at (628) 652-2900 for assistance. San Francisco residents will need to upload a verification of residency after lottery registration has been submitted, with the deadline on January 2, 2026.

For more information, including rules and regulations, as well as fees, click the link below.

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### Herz Recreation Center Grand Opening Celebration on January 9

Join the community for the grand opening of Herz Recreation Center (160 Mrs. Jackson Way) in McLaren Park on Friday, January 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The new recreation center features an indoor basketball court with bleachers, a multipurpose room, restrooms, outdoor fitness equipment, and a nature exploration and picnic area.

The event will include a speaking program, activities for youth and seniors, and open gym, followed by a Junior Warriors game. Learn more about the project at the link below.

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### Queens of the Court Volleyball Tournament a Big Hit at Kezar Pavilion

Kezar Pavilion hosted the Queens of the Court volleyball tournament earlier this month, welcoming 80 girls ages 11 to 15 competing across eight teams. Skill levels ranged from travel-level athletes to beginners mixed into each team, creating a competitive and inclusive environment. The tournament opened with pool play on the first day and concluded with a double-elimination bracket on the second.

Thank you to our Girls Play Sports staff who served up an excellent weekend on the court and helped spike interest in the game of volleyball for these girls. Learn more about our girls sports programming at the link below.

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### Additional Highlights, News & Announcements

  *
Sunset Dunes Survey (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/4xbfyv)
open through the end of 2025
  *
Community Opportunity Fund Applications (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/kqcfyv)
to open in January 2026
  *
Lightscape (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/0idfyv)
at the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue) Open through January 4
  *
San Francisco’s Commission Streamlining Task Force Meeting (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/gbefyv)
at City Hall (1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place) on Friday, January 14 at 1 p.m.
  *
Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/w3efyv)
(333 Post Street) Open through January 19

  *
15% Off Tickets for Super Bowl Experience from February 3 to 7 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/cwffyv). Use code PARTNER15

### Upcoming Events

###  India Basin Food Pavilion Pop-Up Series in January: Chef Stevonna

Join En2Action for its pop-up series at the India Basin Waterfront Park Food Pavilion (900 Innes Avenue) this January, held on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Chef Stevonna of Ely's Louisiana Gumbo kicks off 2026 at the Pavilion. Stevonna pours her heart, heritage, and creativity into every dish she makes, with recipes that blend classic comfort flavors with bold seasonings and fresh ingredients. Every bite has a story, and every plate is created with love. For more information, click the link below.

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### BORP Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at Glen Park Rec Center January 10

Take part in BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation's wheelchair basketball tournament at Glen Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) on Saturday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free, four-team tournament is open to players and spectators alike, and organizers are currently recruiting teams. For questions or to get involved, contact jorge at borp.org (mailto:jorge at borp.org) or molly at borp.org (mailto:molly at borp.org).

### Harvey Milk Photo Center: "A Measure of Uncertainty" Opening on January 17

Explore "A Measure of Uncertainty," a fine art photography exhibition presented by the Bay Area Photographers Collective (BAPC) at the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) from January 17 through February 21. Curated by Heather Snider, the show brings together work by 22 artists examining how imagination, technology, and photography intersect with instability in the natural world and contemporary life. An opening reception will be held Saturday, January 17 from 2 to 5 p.m., with meet-the-artist events on Saturdays, January 24 and February 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, click the link below.

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### Claude Forever: A Celebration of Life in Golden Gate Park on January 18

The California Academy of Sciences is hosting a celebration of life for Claude, San Francisco's beloved albino alligator who passed away last month, at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) on Sunday, January 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free community event will feature stories, speeches, performances, and family-friendly activities celebrating Claude's impact across generations.

Following the outdoor program, the California Academy of Sciences (55 Music Concourse Drive) will host special indoor programming from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., including craft activities and an artisan marketplace with commemorative Claude souvenirs available for purchase from local vendors. Museum admission is required. For more information, click the link below.

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### Regular Programming & Series

###  Community Social Doubles at Goldman Tennis Center on January 9

San Francisco tennis players, advanced beginners through intermediate, are invited to play in the Tennis Coalition of San Francisco's social doubles series. Meet other players at your level for round-robin sets in an organized and fun environment. For more information and to register for the social on Friday, January 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Goldman Tennis Center (Nancy Pelosi and Bowling Green drives), click the link below.

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### SF Sea Lions Underwater Hockey Info Session at MLK Pool January 9

Join the
San Francisco Sea Lions Underwater Hockey (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/kujfyv)
(SFUWH) team for an information and practice session for new recruits and their parents at Martin Luther King Jr. Pool (5701 3rd Street) on Friday, January 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. The co-ed youth program serves capable swimmers ages 9 to 13 and focuses on training athletes for national and international competition. Founded in 1974, with a youth program established in 2008, SFUWH has produced more than 30 Team USA athletes since 2015 and competes regularly at world-level events. For more information and to register, click the link below.

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### Bay Sox Girls Baseball Clinic at Margaret Hayward Playground on January 10

Join the San Francisco Bay Sox Girls Baseball Program for free clinics to work on your game in the offseason! The first of 2026 will take place on Saturday, January 10 at Margaret Hayward Playground (1016 Laguna Street) from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 7 to 10 and noon to 1:30 p.m. for ages 11 to 14. For more information and to register, click the link below.

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### Birding at Heron's Head Park on January 10

San Francisco Nature Education (SFNE) is hosting Saturday bird walks, with the next taking place at Heron's Head Park (32 Jennings Street) on January 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. SFNE volunteers will lead these walks, offering one program for children ages 5 to 12 (accompanied by a parent or guardian), and another for youth and adults ages 13 and up. For more information and to register for these field trips, click the link below.

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### Additional Programming & Series

  *
Daily activities and classes at the Civic Center Plazas (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/c0mfyv)
  *
Free Holiday Programming in Union Square (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/ssnfyv)(333 Post Street) from Thursdays to Sundays through January 18
  *
Weekend programming (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/8kofyv)
at the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way)
  *
Drop-In Saturday Wheelchair Basketball (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/odpfyv)
at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) from 3 to 6 p.m.
  *
Chair Yoga (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/45pfyv)
at Sunset Dunes & Irving Street on Sunday, January 4 from 2 to 3 p.m.
  *
Swing into Stories (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/kyqfyv)
at Garfield Playground (Treat & 26th Streets) on Tuesday, January 6 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
  *
The Annihilation of Fish (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/0qrfyv)
screening at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) on January 6 at 6 p.m.
  *
Mobile Rec (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/gjsfyv)
at Hilltop Park (La Salle Avenue & Whitney Young Circle) on Saturday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

###  Video of the Week

 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/wbtfyv)

###  Last Day for "Lightscape" at the San Francisco Botanical Garden on January 4

"Lightscape," the otherworldly after-dark experience at the San Francisco Botanical Garden is coming to a close on January 4. This acclaimed light show features displays from international artists plus water features and dazzling sculptures that come alive at night with color, imagination and sound. Our
Video of the Week (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/c4tfyv)
comes from the Botanical Garden and gives a peek into this festive installation. For more information and to purchase tickets before the end of the week, click the link below.

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### General Manager Recruitment

###  Rec & Park General Manager Recruitment Survey & Community Meetings

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission wants to hear from you as it begins its search for the next general manager. Share the qualities, experience, and leadership skills you believe are needed to guide the Recreation and Park Department forward at three upcoming community meetings. The first takes place on Thursday, January 8 at IBEW Local 6 (55 Fillmore Street) from noon to 1 p.m.

The second in-person meeting will take place at Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center (650 Capitol Avenue) on Wednesday, January 14 from 6 to 7 p.m., with a virtual meeting to follow in early February. Additionally, you can provide feedback through a survey
 at this link (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/8ovfyv).

Your voice matters--help the City of San Francisco build on its tradition of recreation and parks excellence.

 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/ohwfyv)

Job Openings (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/49wfyv)

 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/k2xfyv)

Rec and Park Gear (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/0uyfyv)

 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/gnzfyv)

Volunteer with Us! (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/wf0fyv)

San Francisco Recreation and Parks |
sfrecpark.org (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/c80fyv)

 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kev9ck/wfcl20hc/s01fyv)
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