Rec & Park eNews - January 14, 2026

[San Francisco Recreation & Parks]

Your weekly scoop on San Francisco parks


###  Highlights, News & Announcements

### 2025 Rec & Park Community Report Highlights Standout Year

As we begin the new year, we're pleased to share highlights from 2025 in our annual community report. It was a standout year for San Francisco's parks, marked by the opening of Sunset Dunes at the former Great Highway; the completion of major renovations at Stern Grove Playground and Esprit Park; and breaking ground at Buchanan Street Mall and Tenderloin Recreation Center. Across our programs, we awarded 2,190 recreation scholarships totaling $1.8 million; served 3,271 seniors through nearly 4,900 hours of specialized programming; hosted 12,475 volunteers in our parks; and provided nearly 50,000 hours of community gardening programming. Read the full report at the link below.


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### State-of-the-Art Herz Rec Center Opens with Community Celebration

The new Herz Recreation Center is officially open, marking San Francisco's first ground-up recreation center in more than 25 years. The 11,500-square-foot facility features a full-size basketball court with seating for 200, a multipurpose room for classes and community use, a kitchen, and welcoming public spaces.

Located within Herz Playground in John McLaren Park, the project also includes new and improved pathways connecting Visitacion Valley and Sunnydale, plus new amenities like an outdoor fitness terrace, picnic and nature areas, and upgraded landscaping. Visitors are greeted by Reflection and Projection, a large-scale interactive artwork by Sanjay Vora created in partnership with the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Rec and Park planned the playground renovation and the new recreation center in close coordination with the nearby Sunnydale Community Hub, which opened in fall 2024 and offers programming for residents of all ages, an early learning center, and a children's clubhouse.

Special thanks to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Mayor Daniel Lurie, Supervisor Shamann Walton, Mercy Housing, Related California, Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco, Wu Yee Children's Services, HOPE SF, and many more for making this project possible. For more information, click the link below.


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### Super Duper Burgers Poised to Take Over Union Square Cafe

Last week, Rec and Park announced that Super Duper Burgers, a beloved San Francisco-born restaurant, has been selected to operate the cafe on the east side of Union Square, bringing fresh, approachable food and new vitality to one of the City's most celebrated public spaces.

The Recreation and Park Commission is expected on Thursday to authorize a five-year lease, with two five-year extension options. The cafe is anticipated to open in early fall 2026, following City-led renovations.

Union Square's public plaza includes two restaurant spaces. Super Duper will join b. Patisserie, the award-winning San Francisco bakery that
opened a kiosk (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/49w30v)
on the west side of the square in March 2025. Together, the two eateries add to a growing mix of food, events, and attractions aimed at bringing more more people back to downtown San Francisco.

Born and bred in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood with the ethos of fast food burgers with slow food values, Super Duper is renowned as the pioneer of the better burger category with organic, non-GMO ingredients. Super Duper will serve its burgers, fries, salads, shakes and organic soft serve in its classic fast-casual, retro-inspired digs at its newest location.

The cafe is located along Stockton Street and includes outdoor seating areas and below-ground food storage facilities. The City recently secured State of California Business and Economic Development grant funding to upgrade the cafe, adding on-site cooking capabilities and modernizing the space to support expanded food service.

As part of its lease, Super Duper will coordinate closely with Rec and Park, the Union Square Alliance, and Plaza programming partners to ensure cafe operations complement the wide range of events, performances, festivals, and seasonal attractions that take place in Union Square throughout the year. For more information, click the link below.


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### BORP Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Crowns a Champion

Last weekend, Rec and Park co-hosted a wheelchair basketball tournament with BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation at Glen Park Recreation Center. The BORP Meteorites, BORP All-Stars, San Francisco Rolling Fog and South Bay Sonics competed at this historic facility, with the BORP All-Stars clinching the championship after a nail-biting final match decided by one point. Thank you to BORP, partners, volunteers and athletes for making this possible! Learn more about BORP programming at the link below.


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### NPR: Exercise is as Effective as Medication in Treating Depression

A recent NPR piece highlights new research showing that regular exercise can be as effective as medication or therapy in reducing symptoms of depression. The findings underscore the role public parks play in supporting mental health by providing free, accessible spaces for walking, recreation and active movement. Learn more about exercise options in our parks, from Sunset Dunes to UN Plaza, at
sfrecpark.org (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/gnz30v), and read the full report at the link below.


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### Additional Highlights, News & Announcements

  *
Community Opportunity Fund Applications (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/c8030v)
to open in January 2026
  *
Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/s0130v)
(333 Post Street) Open through January 19
  *
15% Off Tickets for Super Bowl Experience from February 3 to 7 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/8s230v). Use code PARTNER15





### Upcoming Events

###  Ikebana International Demonstration in Golden Gate Park on January 16

Join Ikebana International's San Francisco Bay Area Chapter for its new year demonstration, featuring teacher advisors who are the most senior members of each Bay Area school. The event will also celebrate Teacher Advisor Fujimoto's 100th birthday. It takes place at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park.on Friday, January 16 beginning at noon.

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.


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### 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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### Rec & Park General Manager Survey & Community Meeting February 9

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
through this survey (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/0y530v)
or at the third and final community meeting taking place virtually on Monday, February 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. See the meeting details below:


Link to Join Zoom Meeting (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/gr630v)

Meeting ID: 894 5847 2471

Passcode: 165703

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



### Additional Upcoming Events

  *
India Basin EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/wj730v)
community meeting at Shipwright's Cottage (900 Innes Avenue) in India Basin Waterfront Park on Friday, January 23 from 1 to 2 p.m.
% link:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHZIxnkttDR3bT3-WQJZCtV2_mDVnKM9258V-50wUzqgHbPA/viewform?fbzx=285122044075119346 name="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHZIxnkttDR3bT3-WQJZCtV2_mDVnKM9258V-50wUzqgHbPA/viewform?fbzx=285122044075119346" content="" %]

  *
Louis Sutter Playground Renewal Survey (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/cc830v)
&
Info Sessions (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/s4830v)
at the park (1150 Wayland Street) on January 24 & 26
  *
Winter Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/8w930v)
at Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Boulevard) on Sunday, January 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  *
Young People (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/opa40v)
(YPTMTC) presents "Ride the Cyclone" at the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way) beginning Friday, January 30 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
  *
Citywide Job Fair (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/4hb40v)
at Palega Recreation Center (500 Felton Street) on Saturday, January 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Email rpd_recruitment at sfgov.org (mailto:rpd_recruitment at sfgov.org) for more information.





### Regular Programming & Series

###  Youth Employment Program Recruiting for 2026

Rec and Park is recruiting teens for its Youth Employment Program (Y.E.P.), a paid opportunity for San Francisco youth ages 14-17 to gain hands-on job experience and build professional skills. Participants support programs such as after-school activities, summer camps, gardening, and aquatics, while also taking part in workshops focused on resume building, interview preparation, and career readiness. Interested teens must live in or attend school in San Francisco and be able to commit to all required shifts and workshops. If interested, fill out the recruitment form at the link below.

Questions? Email yuri.ugarte at sfgov.org (mailto:yuri.ugarte at sfgov.org).


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### Additional Programming & Series

  *
Daily activities and classes at the Civic Center Plazas (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/02c40v)
  *
Free Holiday Programming in Union Square (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/gvd40v)
(333 Post Street) from Thursdays to Sundays through January 18
  *
Weekend programming (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/wne40v)
at the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way)
  *
Mobile Rec (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/cgf40v)
at Potrero del Sol Skate Park (1369 Potrero Avenue) on Saturday, January 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  *
Drop-In Saturday Wheelchair Basketball (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/s8f40v)
at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) from 3 to 6 p.m.
  *
Swing into Stories (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/80g40v)
at Helen Wills Playground (1401 Broadway at Larkin) on Tuesday, January 20 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
  *
The Third Man (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/oth40v)
screening at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) on January 20 at 6 p.m.
  *
Traditional Chinese Dance Class (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/4li40v)
at Sunset Dunes & Judah Street on Wednesday, January 21 at 11 a.m.
  *
Bird Tour with the Golden Gate Bird Alliance (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/kej40v)
at Sunset Dunes on Sunday, January 25 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.





### Video of the Week


 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/06j40v)


### Prefabricated Restroom Dropped into Precita Park, Opening in Early 2026

Sit down for this one…we're relieved to share that a new prefabricated restroom dropped into Precita Park last week. Our
Video of the Week (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/gzk40v)
depicts the drop. The contractor will now connect utilities to the structure, with the aim of opening for business in early 2026. The project uses the department's Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, reducing costs and enabling a faster, more efficient delivery of improvements while supporting the local economy by hiring a local business enterprise contractor. For more information about the project, click the link below.


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 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/ckm40v)


Job Openings (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/scn40v)


 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/84n40v)


Rec and Park Gear (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/oxo40v)


 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/4pp40v)


Volunteer with Us! (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/kiq40v)




San Francisco Recreation and Parks |
sfrecpark.org (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/0ar40v)


 (https://t.e2ma.net/click/o13uek/wfcl20hc/g3r40v)
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% link:https://www.instagram.com/sfrecpark name="https://www.instagram.com/sfrecpark" content="" %]
% link:https://www.youtube.com/user/sfRecPark name="https://www.youtube.com/user/sfRecPark" content="" %]


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