Reminder: eNews from SF Recreation and Parks- February 25, 2025

[SF Recreation and Parks]

Email from SF Recreation and Parks Updates, news and events in San Francisco parks   Highlights, News & Announcements Traffic & Street Upgrades Supporting Great Highway Transition Complete The City has completed key infrastructure upgrades to improve traffic flow on San Francisco’s west side, ensuring smoother access for residents, commuters, and visitors. These improvements lay the groundwork for the transformation of the Great Highway into an oceanfront park, creating a new recreational space while keeping the area navigable for all. San Francisco Public Works, Rec and Park, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission have acted swiftly to implement these critical upgrades, improving mobility and connectivity in the area. The completed projects include the Sunset Boulevard Paving Renovation Project, which repaved all 44 blocks of Sunset Boulevard between Golden Gate Park and Lake Merced Boulevard; a new traffic signal at Great Highway and Skyline Boulevard, which improves safety and traffic flow at an intersection that previously had no signal control; and a new traffic signal at 41st Avenue and Lincoln Way. Additionally, a Sloat Boulevard and Skyline Boulevard signal will go live on February 26. In November 2024, San Francisco voters approved repurposing a 2-mile stretch of the Upper Great Highway—between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard—into a new park along the coast. The first phase of the project, opening this spring, will introduce vibrant new public amenities, including temporary art, murals, seating, enhanced trash receptacles, water fountains, signage, and year-round programming. For more information, click the link below. Traffic & Street Upgrades   Historic Trocadero Clubhouse Reopens After Repairs Completed Extensive repairs to the historic Trocadero Clubhouse at Sigmund Stern Grove have been completed and the historic venue is now available to book for weddings and other celebrations. The 133-year-old building sustained significant damage when a March 2023 storm toppled an 85-foot eucalyptus tree, partially crushing the clubhouse’s roof and triggering a deluge from the indoor sprinkler system. The Department of Building Inspection subsequently red-tagged the building due to both structural and water damage. Because the clubhouse is an official San Francisco landmark, preservation contractors Architectural Resources Group Conservation Services worked carefully to restore the building to its original condition, saving as much of the original material as possible and replicating to match original detailing. The restoration included replacing the roof, rafters, eave, cupola, framing, windows, walls, finishes, wood molding, floors, and lights. The clubhouse, which has long served as a community gathering place, is a key feature of Stern Grove, a beloved Sunset District park known for its natural beauty and free summer concerts. Built in 1892, the clubhouse boasts a colorful history as a roadhouse at the turn of the 20th century, when dancing and gambling at roulette tables were regular activities within the clubhouse walls. Over the years, the clubhouse was operated by a series of different lessees, including sugar magnate Adolph Spreckels. To make a reservation at the Trocadero Clubhouse for events starting April 1, visit its reservation page. For more information, click the link below. . Trocadero Reopens   First Pitch Opens San Francisco Youth Baseball League Season Play ball! Opening Day for the San Francisco Youth Baseball League was a home run this past Saturday. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate, including Mayor Daniel Lurie and San Francisco Fire Department Chief Dean Crispen, who both helped open the 2025 season by throwing out the first pitch. With more than 3,000 players across 200 teams, we can’t wait to see everyone hit the diamonds citywide this Saturday!   Rec & Park Welcomes Newest Park Rangers in Graduation Ceremony Congratulations to our eight newest park rangers, who graduated earlier today in a special ceremony at the Randall Museum. Our park rangers play a vital role in providing safe and equitable access to our parks. They were established by William Hammond Hall, San Francisco’s first superintendent of parks, in 1874. In 2003, our staff consisted of just six rangers for citywide coverage and nine rangers for Candlestick Park. With these new rangers, we now have 53 on staff. Thank you to these new graduates for their commitment to ensuring our parks are safe for all to enjoy. We look forward to seeing you outside!   Request for Proposal for Mission Creek Pavilion Calling all entrepreneurs to the Mission Creek Pavilion! Rec and Park is accepting proposals for the operations and management of the Mission Creek Pavilion (290 Channel Street), in the beautiful new 12-acre Mission Creek Park. The Pavilion is a modern facility with picturesque views of Mission Creek. With floor-ceiling windows, and two adjacent patios, this building can be used for a café or other recreational use. The building is currently available for events and rentals, but due to community interest in a permanent amenity, we are launching an RFP process for a long-term vendor. The request for proposal (RFP) is now open and proposals are due by Monday, May 12. Interested parties can learn more and apply to the RFP at this link. To learn more about all of our parks in Mission Bay, click the link below. Mission Bay Parks   Open Call for Bayview-Hunters Point Artist Directory Applications for the Bayview-Hunters Point (BVHP) Artist Directory are open through August 2025. Launched in tandem with the San Francisco Arts Commission and Rec and Park's 2024-25 India Basin Waterfront Park Artist-in-Residence Program, the directory may be used by the Park’s Curator-in-Residence to connect Bayview-Hunters Point artists with local opportunities. This call is open to artists working broadly, including visual and performing arts, film, community-centered meals and gatherings, literary arts, ritual/traditional arts, and more. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information and to apply, click the link below. (Photo Credit: Swinerton) BVHP Artist Directory   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 8 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   Spring Registration Opens 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   Illuminate Live to Kick Off Season at the Golden Gate Bandshell March 1 Illuminate and Rec and Park will bring more than 125 free concerts to the historic Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) in Golden Gate Park in 2025 beginning on Saturday, March 1. The 2025 season will run through mid-November, featuring shows on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, and select Saturdays. The opening show will take place from noon to 4 p.m. and will kick off a Women's History Month concert slate that features women or women-fronted musical groups. The show is also in collaboration with SF Music Week, produced in part by the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) to celebrate the city’s rich music legacy. The opening concert will also feature three local artists performing a tribute to Paul McCartney, a nod to the new exhibit “Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm,” which will be on display at the de Young Museum from March 1 through July 6. Additional shows in the coming week include Crucial Reggae Sunday on March 2 from 4:20 to 7:30 p.m. with DJ Guid8nce, Irie Dole, and Kaylan Arnold and a Market to Bandshell Singer/Songwriter Wednesday on March 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. with Frankie West, Gaby, and Lolah. For more information, click the link below. Golden Gate Bandshell Concerts   Embarcadero Plaza & Sue Bierman Park Project Meeting on March 6 Rec and Park invites you to provide input on the future of Embarcadero Plaza at a community meeting at 4 Embarcadero Center on Thursday, March 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. Light food and refreshments will be provided. Through public-private partnership with BXP and Downtown SF, the City is looking to transform Embarcadero Plaza and adjacent Sue Bierman Park into a cohesive public park. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. Embarcadero Plaza & Sue Bierman   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   Pedal the Park Starting at South Sunset Playground on March 1 Gear up for a scenic bike tour 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   Herbal Nervous System Support Workshop at Alemany Farm March 2 Join the Friends of Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Boulevard) for a workshop on local herbs that support the nervous system on Sunday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. Utilized for centuries, many plants are allies in reducing stress and improving sleep. Join local herbalist, educator and Alemany Farm Medicine Garden Steward, Bonnie Rose Weaver to learn about local plants you can grow and prepare at home that support nervous system regulation. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. Alemany Farm   Vegetable Seed Propagation Workshop at Alemany Farm on March 8 Join the Friends of Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Boulevard) for an introduction to vegetable seed propagation workshop on Saturday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn the basics of how to start your organic vegetable garden from seeds, including propagation techniques such as sowing, materials, and young plant care. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. Alemany Farm   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   Harvey Milk Photo Center: "Salt of the Earth" Exhibit Opening March 15 Come out to the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) for its "Salt of the Earth" exhibit opening on Saturday, March 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. Artist Barbara Boissevain is a contemporary visual artist and photographer whose work focuses on the impact of human activity on the environment. "Salt of the Earth" is Boissevain’s ode to the San Francisco Bay, depicting the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, and telling a rare and hopeful story of combatting the effects of human-led climate change. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. Salt of the Earth   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 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 we have live music, mermaid storytelling for kids, a salsa dance workout, chess and juggling lessons, crafts activities including ceramic bowl and morse code bracelet making, and more! 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. For more information and to view the programming schedule at the Square, click the link below. Union Square Programming   "Oceano" at the Harvey Milk Photo Center through March 1 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. For more information, click the link below. HMCA: Oceano   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.     MRC Rebels Girls Basketball Tryouts Now Open The Mission Recreation Center (MRC) Rebels are hosting girls AAU basketball tryouts on February 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. Come out to hoop for this storied program! For more information and to register, click the link below. MRC Rebels   Mobile Rec at Jose Coronado Playground on March 1 Mobile Rec comes to Jose Coronado Playground (2502 Folsom Street) on Saturday, March 1 at from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy free BMX biking, skateboarding and more. 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: Chair Yoga on March 2 Join the Friends of Ocean Beach 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, March 2 from 2 to 3 p.m. on the Great Highway at Irving Street. For more information, click the link below. Chair 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 Garfield Playground (Treat and 26th streets) on March 4. 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 March 4 Join our staff at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) for classic movie nights! The next will take place on Tuesday, March 4 beginning at 6 p.m. and will feature the 1960 film "Last Woman on Earth." 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   Video of the Week SF Unveils Vibrant Basketball Court Mural at Jackson Playground Our Video of the Week comes from Victor Solomon, who created the new temporary basketball mural at Jackson Playground in Potrero Hill ahead of the NBA All-Star Game. 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. For more information, click the link below. Jackson Playground Mural     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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