eNews from SF Recreation and Parks- February 19, 2025

[SF Recreation and Parks]

Email from SF Recreation and Parks Updates, news and events in San Francisco parks   Highlights, News & Announcements City Leaders Unveil Expanded U.N. Skate Plaza Rec and Park joined City leaders and members of the skateboarding community last week to unveil the newly expanded United Nations Skate Plaza, which will ensure the space is dynamic and engages skaters of all skill levels. The newly completed project has added approximately 2,100 square feet of skateable surface to the northeast corner of the existing plaza. The repaved space also features three unique, skateable geometric art pieces, designed by Olympic skateboarder, MIT-trained architect, and Converse CONs skate rider Alexis Sablone. The expansion is possible through a partnership with The Skatepark Project and Converse. During the unveiling ceremony, City leaders praised the skate plaza, which has been a focal point of the revitalized U.N. Plaza, which debuted in November 2023 as part of Rec and Park’s $2 million U.N. Plaza revitalization effort. The original skate area at U.N. Plaza was designed by local skateboarders and iconic skateboarding brands, paying homage to legendary street skating spots in San Francisco. The plaza also features outdoor fitness stations, space for yoga and Zumba, and tables for ping pong and other games. Visitors can also enjoy free dance and fitness classes daily and free chess and mahjong instruction on weekends. In addition, café seating, new trees, and Tivoli lights have created a more inviting atmosphere, ensuring the plaza is a fun downtown destination. In its first year, the plaza became a vibrant hub of activity, drawing more than 340,000 visitors and contributing to a 79% reduction in daytime drug-related incidents. For more information, click the link below. UN Skate Plaza Upgrades   SF Unveils Vibrant Basketball Court Mural at Jackson Playground Ahead of the NBA All-Star Game last weekend, we debuted a fresh burst of color and creativity at Jackson Playground in Potrero Hill. The new temporary basketball court mural transformed the space into a celebration of art and community. Mayor Daniel Lurie, Supervisor Shamann Walton and neighborhood youth came to celebrate the improved court and get some shots up. The mural is the result of a collaboration between Rec and Park, artist Victor Solomon, and Courtside Foundation. This dynamic public art installation reflects the city’s deep-rooted love for basketball while enhancing the court for local players of all ages. The mural, inspired by the colors of the San Francisco Bay, features overlapping and contrasting circles designed to reflect movement and vibrancy. The project was made possible through a generous in-kind donation from Courtside Foundation, valued at $50,000. The event also highlighted the ongoing work of the Friends of Jackson Park, a dedicated 501(c)(3) community group that has worked closely with the City since 2014 to reimagine the park. The mural and newly refinished playing surface will serve the community until 2027, when construction is slated to begin on a full-scale renovation of the park. For more information, click the link below. Jackson Playground Mural   Illuminate Live to Kick Off 5th Season at the Golden Gate Bandshell Illuminate and Rec and Park will bring more than 125 free concerts to the historic Golden Gate Bandshell in Golden Gate Park in 2025 starting on March 1. The 2025 season will run through mid-November, featuring shows on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, and select Saturdays. Over the past four years, the Bandshell has become a hub for diverse musical genres and legendary performances, including Kronos Quartet's 50th Anniversary, Victor Wooten, Pato Banton, and more. In total, more than 600 free shows have been held as part of the series, called Illuminate LIVE, attracting nearly 1 million music lovers to the park’s Music Concourse. The Bandshell, renovated by Illuminate in 2020 with world-class sound and lighting systems, continues to be the center of independent music in one of America’s premier parks. For more information, click the link below. Golden Gate Bandshell Concerts   Black History Month Reflections: Patrice Lynch In honor of Black History Month, we're sharing reflections from Patrice Lynch, the assistant facility supervisor at the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool in Bayview-Hunters Point, which hosts our Bayview Safety Swim and Splash Program. He is pictured above teaching the program, as well as out on a surfboard. I was born and raised in San Francisco. My parents were deeply committed to human equality and civil rights for Black people. In 1963, they joined the Freedom Riders, traveling by bus from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., to witness Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic "I Have a Dream" speech. As we honor Black History Month this February, I want to shine a light on Black aquatics—a field with limited representation, yet rich with history and achievement. Though few in number, these trailblazers have left a lasting impact, inspiring generations to come. Vincent Lynch, my father, swam across Lake Washington in Seattle solo over 85 years ago—not once, but twice. He is pictured in a white shirt in the photos above, which were taken around 1970 at the original Martin Luther King Jr. Pool, where he was one of the first instructors. Pauline Jackson was an African American swimmer who attempted the Catalina Channel swim in 1927, breaking barriers for Black women in open water swimming. Charlie "The Tuna" Chapman completed two swims around Alcatraz Island in 1978 using only the butterfly stroke. He was also the first Black swimmer to cross the English Channel and circled Manhattan Island in nine-plus hours (28.5 miles). Charles "The Human Tugboat" Jackson French was a naval mess hall attendant on the USS Gregory in 1942 who heroically saved 15 of his fellow shipmates by swimming and pulling a makeshift raft through shark-infested waters for eight hours at Guadalcanal. These are just a few of the many brave individuals who defied racism and adversity to leave their mark on American history. Their courage and achievements deserve recognition, not just in February, but always. You can hear more from Patrice on the importance equity in aquatics, as well as on the history of the pool and neighborhood from KALW at the link below. KALW   Call for Judges for SF Middle School Science Fair at Randall Museum For more than 30 years, the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way) has hosted the annual San Francisco Middle School Science Fair, with this year's taking place on March 15. The fair is open to all San Francisco students in grades 6 to 8. It is not only a competition, but an opportunity for budding young scientists to showcase their own research projects for recognition and encouragement to pursue careers in science. Judges are currently being recruited to help facilitate this San Francisco tradition. Judges must attend a virtual training session, on Friday, March 7 from 5 to 6 p.m. and be available for the entirety of the fair on Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additionally, there will be an interview session on Wednesday, March 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, click this link. To apply, click the link below. Judge Application   Crocker Amazon Baseball & Softball Field Project Meeting February 20 Join Rec and Park to discuss the renovation of the baseball and softball fields at Crocker Amazon Playground on Thursday, February 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Crocker Amazon clubhouse (799 Moscow Street). The San Francisco Giants approached Rec and Park with a proposal to partner to install six baseball and softball fields with new, state-of-the-art diamonds and associated amenities. These improvements will benefit youth, high school and adult baseball and softball programs. The project will reorient and renovate the existing fields, upgrade pathway lighting, expand the parking lot, install batting cages, create a new dog play area, add a free-standing restroom, and more. For additional details about the project, click the link below. Crocker Amazon Field Renovation   Summer Resource Fair at the County Fair Building on February 22 Join Rec and Park, the San Francisco Public Library, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF) for our Summer Resource Fair! The citywide event takes place on Saturday, February 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue). Kick-start your family's summer planning at this event, featuring 100 summer camps, classes, programs, and services for children in grades K-8. For more information, click the link below. Summer Resource Fair   Buchanan Street Mall Art Discussion on February 27 & Paid Youth Roles There are two upcoming opportunities to participate in the development of the Memory Walk as a part of the Buchanan Street Mall project. The first is a panel discussion on Black public art in San Francisco on Thursday, February 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the African American Art and Culture Complex (AAACC) (762 Fulton Street). Join artists Dana King, Kristine Mays, and Malik Seneferu in a panel discussion moderated by Adrian Owens and Ebon Glenn. Convened by Trust for Public Land, this artist panel will discuss Black public art in San Francisco, as well as the art proposals currently being considered for the Memory Walk at Buchanan Street Mall. Additionally, there are paid opportunities coming up for young people ages 14 to 20. The Memory Walk Art Advisory Committee (MWAC) is looking for young voices to help guide the art process for Buchanan Street Mall. Youth MWAC representatives are required to attend once-a-month meetings from March through June, and will receive a $150 stipend per meeting. Applications are due by Monday, March 10. For more information and to apply, click this link. Questions? Reach out to the project manager Lauren Dietrich Chavez by email at lauren.chavez at sfgov.org or by phone at (628) 652-6643. For additional information, click the link below. Buchanan Street Mall Project   Virtual Coyote Coexistence Workshop on February 27 Join San Francisco Animal Care and Control, Rec and Park, and Project Coyote for a virtual coyote coexistence workshop on Thursday, February 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Keli Hendricks from Project Coyote will present on best practices for coyote coexistence including hazing for San Francisco coyotes. Keli has a background in Animal Science from Cal Poly and currently lives and works on a ranch in Petaluma alongside coyotes, bobcats, and other wildlife. A dedicated volunteer with Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, she feels that it is time to replace long held fears of coyotes with newer, better practices regarding our stewardship of the land and its wildlife inhabitants. To register for the meeting, click the link below. Coyote Coexistence   Let'sPlaySF! Initiative Survey Open through February 28 The Let’sPlaySF! Initiative, a partnership between Rec and Park and the San Francisco Parks Alliance to transform 13 of San Francisco’s most timeworn playgrounds into dynamic hubs for creativity and family life, is nearing its goal. The initiative, funded by the 2012 Park Bond, San Francisco Parks Alliance, and philanthropic partners, has renovated 11 playgrounds, with two more transformations on the way. The renovated playgrounds have already become cherished community spaces. Please take this survey to share your feedback on how Let’sPlaySF! playgrounds have impacted your community. The deadline for feedback is Friday, February 28. For more information, click the link below. Let’sPlaySF! Initiative Survey   Randolph & Bright Mini Park Outreach Events on March 8 & 18 Rec and Park will be hosting discussions about the planned improvements to Randolph and Bright Mini Park this March. The first will be an outreach table at OMI Cleanup Day on Saturday, March 8 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the park, as well as an online community meeting on Tuesday, March 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. During these sessions, two concept plans for the site, featuring a nature-forward play space for children, seating areas, upgraded irrigation, improved pathways, new plantings, and enhanced fencing, will be shared. Attend and give feedback on these designs for the new play space. For more information, click the link below. Randolph & Bright Mini Park   Upcoming Events   Peace Parks' Black History Month Celebration on February 20 Join our Peace Parks program for its annual Black History Month celebration at Potrero Hill Recreation Center (801 Arkansas Street) on Thursday, February 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. This event will celebrate Black culture and contributions to our country, with participants showcasing their talent through speeches and spoken word performances. For more information, contact the center at (415) 695-5009.   Ikebana International: Fujimoto Sensei Birthday Celebration February 21 Join Ikebana International's San Francisco Bay Area Chapter for a belated birthday celebration for Kayoko Suiyo Fujimoto, who celebrated her 99th birthday last month. It will take place on Friday, February 21 beginning at noon in the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park. Fujimoto Sensei has received many awards throughout her career in Ohara ikebana, including the Order of the Rising Sun, golden and silver rays for her service to Ikebana and promoting traditional Japanese culture. She will be joined by members of the Ohara Ikebana school of Northern California in presenting this program. Ikebana, or Japanese flower arrangement, is an ancient Asian art vibrantly practiced in contemporary interpretations by this organization's members. For more information, click the link below. Ikebana International   Native Plant Workshop at Alemany Farm on February 23 Join the Friends of Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Boulevard) for a native plant workshop on Sunday, February 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the farm. Explore microclimates, soil types, and terrain while touring Alemany Farm’s unique ecosystems to identify different native plants and growing habits. Attendees will take home a native Yerba Buena plant. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. Alemany Farm   Skate, Rock, Roll, Read at Fulton Plaza on February 22 Come out to Skate, Rock, Roll, Read at Fulton Plaza (Fulton and Larkin streets) on Saturday, February 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fulton Street will become a hub of activation—live performances, hands-on creative activities, and community-based resources for youth and families. Participate in skateboarding lessons, design skate sneakers, create signature skateboard deck designs, and be part of the outdoor performance space in the heart of Civic Center. For more information, click the link below. Skate, Rock, Roll, Read   "Oceano" Artist Talk at the Harvey Milk Photo Center February 22 The Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) is currently hosting "Oceano - for Seven Generations" by Lana Z Caplan, which explores the history of the Oceano Dunes and examines the lives of its successive inhabitants and the evolution of photographic history and convention. Through co-constructed, performative portraits, Caplan contrasts the historical occupants—including the Indigenous yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini (ytt) Northern Chumash Tribe, Cecil B. DeMille’s 1923 ancient Egyptian film set, the Modernists, and a colony of Depression-era artist and mystic squatters—with the present-day all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding community, highlighting the ongoing public health crisis affecting neighboring areas. A conversation with the artist and book signing will occur at the center on Saturday, February 22 at 2 p.m. For more information, click the link below. HMCA: Oceano   Garden Resource Day in McLaren Park on February 22 Join us for our first garden resource day of 2025 on Saturday, February 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free compost, mulch, plant starts and seeds, as well as a tool care station. Compost will be limited to five 5-gallon buckets per household– bring your own buckets. Additionally, volunteers from the UC Master Gardener Program of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties will be on site to answer your gardening questions! These events will take place at the overflow parking lot at Gleneagles Golf Course (2100 Sunnydale Avenue), adjacent to the McLaren Bike Park. For more information, click the link below. Urban Ag   Pedal the Park Starting at South Sunset Playground on March 1 Gear up for a scenic bike tour for for ages 10 and up on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting at the South Sunset Playground clubhouse (40th Avenue and Vicente Street). Bring your bike and pack a lunch, water, and sunscreen to explore the Great Highway and Golden Gate Park. This event will begin with a quick safety tutorial and an overview of the route. Explore the west side of San Francisco, enjoy nature and get active on this 3-hour ride! For more information and to register, click the link below. Pedal in the Park   Archery Showdown at the County Fair Building on March 15 Join Rec and Park for its first indoor archery tournament at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Inspired by the International Vegas Shoot tournament, this event for ages 8 and up welcomes archers of all levels for a thrilling competition. Adult distance will be at 20 yards on 40 centimeter target faces. Youth distance will be at 10 yards on 60 centimeter target faces. Bow categories are include Olympic Recurve, Barebow Recurve, Traditional, Compound Freestyle, Compound Bowhunter, and Compound Barebow. Trophies will be awarded after the event. Participants must provide their own equipment. For accommodations, please contact us at 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 and to register, click the link below. Additional questions? Email joe.arnaldo at sfgov.org. Archery Showdown   Programming and Regular Series 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 and surrounding Civic Center area. From the Heart of the City Farmers' Market 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 at UN Plaza, as well as the full amenity list and schedule at the link below. Civic Center Plazas   Programming at Union Square through April 30 Union Square Plaza 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 we have live music, a cardio dance workout, chess and juggling lessons, upcycled sculpture activities, and more! To view the programming schedule at the Square, click the link below. This free programming is made possible through a grant from the Office of Mayor Daniel Lurie and San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and Biederman Redevelopment Ventures. It will run through Wednesday, April 30. Union Square Programming   Bean Sprouts Family Days at the San Francisco Botanical Garden Come dig, smell, taste, build, and explore with the San Francisco Botanical Garden 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   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 Glen Park Recreation Center at (415) 239-4007.     Mobile Rec at the County Fair Building on February 22 Mobile Rec comes to the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) on Saturday, February 22 as a part of the Summer Resource Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Skateboarding equipment will be provided. For more information, click the link below. Mobile Rec   Drop-In Wheelchair Basketball at Glen Park Recreation Center Glen 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 at (415) 239-4007.   Sundays at the Beach on the Great Highway: Mat Yoga on February 23 Join the Friends of Ocean Beach Park for its Sundays at the Beach programming. These free activities, from chair yoga to live music, will be hosted four times a month. The next program will be mat yoga on Sunday, February 23 from noon to 1 p.m. on the Great Highway at Judah Street. For more information, click the link below. Mat Yoga   Swing into Stories in San Francisco Parks 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 Redwood Grove Playground in McLaren Park (200 John F. Shelly Drive) on February 25. See the monthly schedule here: 1st Tuesday of the month Garfield Playground (Treat and 26th streets) 2nd Tuesday of the month Koret Playground in Golden Gate Park (by the carousel) 3rd Tuesday of the month Hilltop Playground (Newcomb Avenue and Whitney Young Circle) 4th Tuesday of the month Redwood Grove Playground in McLaren Park (200 John F. Shelly Drive) Join us for a high-energy story time in our beautiful outdoors!  The YouthMobile offers a diverse selection of children’s library materials available for checkout with an SFPL library card. From the city’s only kid-focused bookmobile, staff circulates materials, creates library cards and provides the public with information about library services and programs. For more information and the Swing into Stories schedule, click the link below.  Swing into Stories   Movie Night at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center on February 25 Join our staff at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) for classic movie nights! The next will take place on Tuesday, February 25, beginning at 6 p.m. and will feature the 1937 film "Dark Manhattan." Come meet your neighbors and enjoy these vintage films. For more information, contact Glen Park Recreation Center at (415) 239-4007.   Tot Outdoor Exploration at Glen Park Recreation Center through March 5 Join Rec and Park at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) for Tot Outdoor Exploration. These activity days for ages 4 to 5 will introduce your little ones to nature with mini-hikes, beginner archery, and outdoor inspired arts and crafts. They take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Wednesday through March 5. For more information and to register, click the link below. Tot Outdoor Exploration   Girls Softball League Beginning on February 25 Come out for girls softball this spring beginning on February 25. Divisions will be split into ages 10 and under and 14 and under, with one practice a week and games to be held on Saturdays at Rossi Playground (600 Arguello Boulevard). Beginners are welcome and entry includes uniform and coaching. For more information and to register, click the link below.  Additional questions? Email rachelle.henley at sfgov.org. Girls Softball League   MRC Rebels Girls Basketball Tryouts Beginning February 26 The Mission Recreation Center (MRC) Rebels will host its girls AAU basketball tryouts on February 26, 28 and March 4 for grades 4 to 8, with high school tryouts on March 6 and 8. All tryouts take place at Mission Recreation Center (2450 Harrison Street) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information and to register, click the link below. MRC Rebels   Spring Registration Begins on March 1 Rec and Park's spring registration begins on Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. From classes such as BollyX and youth architects, to activities including archery and fishing, we have something for everyone! To view and register for our spring offerings, click the link below. Spring Registration   Video of the Week City Librarian Takes a Test Ride of UN Skate Plaza Expansion Our Video of the Week comes from City Librarian Michael Lambert, who takes a test ride on the new expansion at the United Nations Skate Plaza. Be sure to test ride the expansion yourself and check out the San Francisco Public Library's new exhibit: "Skateboarding San Francisco: Concrete, Community, Continuity" at the Main Branch (100 Larkin Street). For more information, click the link below. Skateboarding San Francisco     SF Rec and Park Job Openings Get Your SF Rec and Park Swag Here Volunteer with SF Rec and Park   San Francisco Recreation and Parks | sfrecpark.org         SF Recreation and Parks | McLaren Lodge-Golden Gate Park 501 Stanyan Street | San Francisco , CA 94117 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice
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