eNews from SF Recreation and Parks- March 19, 2025

[SF Recreation and Parks]

Email from SF Recreation and Parks Updates, news and events in San Francisco parks   Highlights, News & Announcements Thousands Submit Names for New Park, Survey to Open March 20 We appreciate the overwhelming response to the Great Park Naming Contest, with over 4,200 nominations submitted for the City's new park at the Great Highway. Thank you as well to those who participated in our community meeting on March 18, where we developed themes and building blocks for the park's name. We will now launch a survey, informed by your submissions and meeting feedback, to gather further input on potential names. A refined list of names will then be presented to the Recreation and Park Commission for a final decision. The survey will be available from the evening of Thursday, March 20, through Wednesday, April 2. Please click the link below for more information and to participate in the survey. Great Highway Project   R-Evolution Set to Debut in Embarcadero Plaza Rec and Park, the Sijbrandij Foundation and Building 180 are proud to announce the arrival of R-Evolution, a breathtaking 45-foot-tall sculpture by Marco Cochrane, set to be unveiled in Embarcadero Plaza on Thursday, April 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. Public art has long been a catalyst for revitalization, drawing people to shared spaces and reinvigorating civic life. At a time when San Francisco is working to bring energy back to its downtown core, R-Evolution stands as a symbol of resilience, empowerment, and the transformative power of art. Originally created for Burning Man, R-Evolution is a monument to strength, presence and representation in public spaces. Despite making up more than half the population, women are vastly underrepresented in public art, comprising only 8 percent of statues in the U.S. This sculpture challenges that imbalance, creating a powerful moment of visibility and reflection. Fabricated with over 55,000 welds of steel rod and tubing, R-Evolution is a feat of engineering and artistry. She is not static—she breathes. For one hour each day, subtle movements in her chest simulate breath, reinforcing her presence as a living force in the urban landscape. At night, she illuminates, casting a soft yet powerful glow over the plaza. The arrival of R-Evolution aligns with San Francisco’s broader efforts to revitalize downtown. For more information, click the link below. R-Evolution Debut   Rec & Park Commission Meeting at Palega Rec Center on March 20 Join us for a special Recreation and Park Commission meeting at Palega Recreation Center (500 Felton Street) on Thursday, March 20 beginning at noon. Meet your commissioners and help shape the future of our parks. For more information, including the meeting agenda, click the link below. Additional questions? Please contact Commission Liaison Ashley Summers by email at recpark.commission at sfgov.org or by phone at (415) 831-2750. Rec & Park Commission   b. Patisserie Expansion Opening at Union Square on March 21 San Francisco bakery b. Patisserie is opening at Union Square on Friday, March 21. It will bring its celebrated pastries to the café kiosk at 350 Powell Street, offering a selection of its signature pastries, including the famous kouign-amann, for residents, workers and visitors. Owned by award-winning pastry chef Belinda Leong and business partner Michel Suas, b. Patisserie has been a San Francisco institution since its opening in 2013. The bakery is known for its European-inspired pastries, earning accolades such as the James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker. For more information, click the link below. b. Patisserie at Union Square   Buchanan Street Mall Groundbreaking on March 27 Join us for the groundbreaking of the Buchanan Street Mall Project on Thursday, March 27 beginning at 9:45 a.m. Buchanan Street Mall is a pedestrian walkway and city park that runs through a five-block section of the Western Addition, from Eddy Street to Grove Street. Its renovation, planned with neighbors and local community organizations, will transform the park into a safe, vibrant hub for recreation, arts, culture, and intergenerational connection. The event will have brief remarks followed by a shovel ceremony, which will take place on Buchanan Street and Golden Gate Avenue near the Rosa Parks Senior Center. For more information, click the link below. Buchanan Street Mall Project   Women’s History Month Highlight: Mission Rec Center Rebels With the start of March Madness on March 20 and in celebration of Women’s History Month, we're proud to highlight our Mission Recreation Center (MRC) Rebels girls AAU basketball program. For 40 years, the Rebels have been known as one of the most dominant teams in California’s AAU basketball circuit, with countless trophies, titles, and championships under its belt. The program primarily serves girls from San Francisco’s most diverse and underserved communities. The program has been a bridge to success for inner-city hoopsters, with many players leveraging their on-court success to attend college. Alumni of the program who have gone on to play college ball include Denisha Stallworth (Kentucky), Denia Ebersole (Stanford), Raquel Avila (Santa Clara University), and Lauren Polansky (Princeton). The talent level is not limited to college either, as a number of Rebels players have gone pro, both overseas and in the WNBA, including Jamie Redd, who played three seasons with the Seattle Storm, and Amanda Lassiter, who was drafted in the first round in the 2001 draft (15th overall) and played seven seasons with four different teams. We're grateful to this program and its staff for providing pathways to success for girls, and helping them to reach the highest levels in this sport and beyond. Learn more about the MRC Rebels program at the link below. MRC Rebels   SF Botanical Garden Named Top 10 in the Country by Newsweek Congratulations to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, which was named a top ten Best Botanical Garden in 2025 by Newsweek Reader's Choice Awards. Part of Golden Gate Park, this 55-acre green escape by the Bay is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the country. Enjoy the serenity of the Moon Viewing Garden, imagine dinosaurs roaming the earth in the Ancient Plants Garden and follow your nose to the Garden of Fragrance. Read more from Newsweek at the link below. Best Botanical Gardens   Now Hiring: LoveDolores Public Outreach Ambassadors Rec and Park is seeking motivated individuals to serve as public outreach ambassadors with our LoveDolores and Coyote Coexistence campaigns. Ambassadors will work 20 hours per week on projects related to Leave No Trace, environmental conservation, waste reduction, wildlife research, and stewardship at parks including Mission Dolores Park. Through outreach and education, ambassadors will work to inspire stewardship among park visitors. For more information and to apply, click the link below. Park Ambassadors   Embarcadero Plaza & Sue Bierman Park Renovation Project Survey Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park will soon be revitalized into a vibrant, 5-acre waterfront park in the heart of San Francisco. Through a collaborative public-private partnership with BxP, Downtown SF Partnership, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), along with extensive community engagement, we want to create a design for the park that reflects the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors while supporting downtown’s economic recovery.   Share your thoughts by taking our first design survey, open through March 31, at the link below. Embarcadero & Sue Bierman Survey   Randolph & Bright Mini Park Design Survey Closes April 4 Rec and Park invites your feedback on the planned improvements to Randolph and Bright Mini Park, which will include a nature-forward play space for children, seating areas, upgraded irrigation, improved pathways, new plantings, and enhanced fencing. Help shape the future of this park by taking our second design survey, open through 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4. To take the survey, click this link. For more information about the project, click the link below. Randolph & Bright Mini Park   Bernal Heights Recreation Center Community Meeting on April 5 Join Rec and Park and Greening Projects for a community meeting to discuss the renovation of the middle and lower yards at the Bernal Heights Recreation Center (500 Moultrie Street) on Saturday, April 5, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The project aims to regrade and repave the middle and lower yards; provide more green space, seating, and shade; and ensure that current uses like ball play, skateboarding, and bike riding are accommodated. During this community meeting, the final concept plan will be presented, as well as next steps. For more information, click the link below. Greening Projects   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-to-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. Note that we are currently hosting site visits. 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   Upcoming Events Illuminate Live at the Bandshell on March 21, 23 & 26 Join us for free concerts with Illuminate Live at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) in Golden Gate Park. In honor of Women's History Month, March's concert slate features women or women-fronted musical groups. See the upcoming schedule below: March 21 | 4:30-7 p.m. Friday Happy Hour featuring Razteria March 23 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Reggae Sunday featuring DJ Guid8nce, DJ Outlaw Yoko, DJ Sep, and Irie Dole March 26 | 4-7 p.m. Singer/Songwriter Wednesday featuring Eva J. Fortune, Frances Ancheta, and Maggie Forti Golden Gate Bandshell Concerts   Skate, Rock, Roll, Read at Fulton Plaza on March 22 Come out to Skate, Rock, Roll, Read at Fulton Plaza (Fulton and Larkin streets) on Saturday, March 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   Tulip Day in Union Square on March 22 Spring and summer in Union Square will officially arrive on Saturday, March 22, when the Union Square Alliance hosts San Francisco Tulip Day, an event that will transform the square into a tulip garden with 80,000 colorful American-produced flowers grown from Dutch bulbs. It will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the corner of Post and Stockton Street and attendees can pick eight tulips to take home for free. The event also kicks off San Francisco's annual Union Square in Bloom initiative, in which businesses celebrate the changing season with floral displays, food, cocktails, and events. For more information, click the link below. Union Square in Bloom   Middle School Science Fair & Festival at the Randall Museum March 22 The 2025 San Francisco Middle School Science Fair is back at the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way). Winners will be announced at the museum’s Science Festival, which takes place on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids and their families can enjoy free live animal encounters, discover community partners from the science world, and more. For more information, click the link below. Randall Science Fair   Young at Heart Intergenerational Program Returns March 24 Our Young at Heart intergenerational program, which takes place at the Golden Gate Park Senior Center (6101 Fulton Street), returns on Monday, March 24 from 10 to 10:40 a.m. This event will feature a story time and a rainbow making 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.   Cesar Chavez Day Celebration at Glen Park Rec Center on March 28 Ahead of Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, join the Community Living Campaign, Department of Disability and Aging Services, and Rec and Park for a celebration of pioneering labor leaders and civil rights activists, César and Helen Chávez. The event will take place on Friday, March 28 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street). It will feature a talk about César and Helen Chávez from longtime leader with United Farm Workers, Richard Ybarra. For more information, contact the recreation center at (415) 239-4007.   The Kids' Games at Kezar Stadium on May 4 Registration is open for our Annual Kids' Games at Kezar Stadium (670 Kezar Drive) on Sunday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be a free Olympic-style track meet for kids ages 5 to 14. The meet will feature the 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash and long jump. For details and to register, click the link below. Kids' Games   Programming and Regular Series "Salt of the Earth" Exhibit at Harvey Milk Photo Center through April 19 Come out to the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) for its "Salt of the Earth" exhibit, which is on display through Saturday, April 19. 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, click the link below. Salt of the Earth   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. In addition to Tulip Day on March 22, this week we also have live music, cardio dance workouts, chess and juggling lessons, crafts activities including Gelli print making and Karl the Fog hanging mobiles, 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   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   Upcoming Rec & Park Art Classes & Camps Join the Rec and Park for a number of upcoming art classes and camps! Click the link below for more information and to register: Teen Half Day Camp - Art Intensive beginning March 31 for ages 13 to 18 at the David Ireland House (500 Capp Street) Textiles: Indigo & Natural Dyeing Techniques on April 12 for ages 10 to 18 at Mission Arts Center (745 Treat Avenue) Spring Family Art Workshop: Upcycled Treehouses on April 12 for ages 5 to 10 at the Harvey Milk Center for the Arts (50 Scott Street)   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 India Basin Shoreline Park on March 22 Mobile Rec comes to India Basin Shoreline Park (Hunters Point Boulevard and Hawes Street) on Saturday, March 22 at from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to free BMX biking and skateboarding, there will be Kayaks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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 March 23 Join the Friends of Ocean Beach Park for its Sundays at the Beach programming. These free activities, from Tai Chi to live music, will be hosted four times a month. The next program will be mat yoga on Sunday, March 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 March 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 Park (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   Women's Pickleball Lessons at Moscone Rec Center Begin March 25 Come out to Moscone Recreation Center (1800 Chestnut Street) for women's pickleball lessons. Learn the fastest growing sport in the country with beginner lessons for those new to the game, as well as intermediate lessons for those looking to take the next step! Equipment is provided. For more information and to register, click the link below. Women's Pickleball   Movie Night at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center on March 25 Join our staff at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) for classic movie nights! The next will take place on Tuesday, March 25 beginning at 6 p.m. and will feature the 1948 film "The Amazing Mr. X." Come meet your neighbors and enjoy these vintage films. For more information, contact Glen Park Recreation Center at (415) 239-4007.   Shred N' Butter Intro to Skateboarding Classes Begin on March 26 Join our Shred N' Butter team this spring for its introduction to skateboarding classes for ages 8 to 12, which take place across the city at Fulton Playground (855 27th Avenue), Joe DiMaggio Playground (651 Lombard Street) and Waller Street Skate Park (751 Stanyan Street). Learn the basics of skateboarding including balance, pushing, turning and cruising on low impact ramps and surfaces, and more. These classes will also teach basic skateboard maintenance. For more information and to register, click the link below. Shred N' Butter   Women's Drop-In Basketball at Moscone Rec Center Begins March 27 Lace up the kicks and come out for women's drop-in basketball on Thursdays from March 27 through May 29 at Moscone Recreation Center (1800 Chestnut Street). There will be full court 4-on-4 pickup games for ages 18 and up from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Moscone Recreation Center at (415) 292-2045.   Junior Giants Registration Begins on April 1 Registration for Junior Giants will open on Tuesday, April 1. This free, non-competitive baseball and softball summer league is for ages 5 to 13 and features lessons on integrity, confidence, teamwork, leadership, and more. The league will begin in mid-June. For more information and to register on April 1, click the link below. Jr. Giants   McLaren Park Ropes Course Adventures on Saturdays Beginning April 5 Check out the McLaren Park Ropes Course on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting on April 5 Located among the trees on the corner of Mansell Street and Visitation Avenue, experience a unique outdoor activity that encourages teamwork and trust among friends and family. The course consists of low and high elements, with helmets and harnesses provided. For more information and to sign up for a session, click the link below. McLaren Park Ropes Course   Tot Futsal at Moscone Rec Center Begins on April 10 Come out for Tot Futsal classes taking place at a number of recreation centers citywide, including Moscone (1800 Chestnut Street). These classes aim to introduce participants to the fundamentals of soccer in a safe, fun, and positive environment. All classes will be held inside the gymnasium. For more information and to register, click the link below. Tot Futsal   Video of the Week KPIX: Volunteers Restore Vandalized Great Highway Mural Our Video of the Week comes from KPIX and highlights the volunteers who helped restore a mural that was vandalized, which is part of the larger Great Highway Project. Thank you to these community members that came out to restore this new public art. We’re grateful to you all for loving our parks! Learn more about the art lineup for the Great Highway from the San Francisco Chronicle at the link below. Art Lineup for Great Highway     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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