Highlights, News & Announcements |
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Portsmouth Square Project Moves Forward, Traffic Impacts Begin July 30 |
A major upgrade of Portsmouth Square is moving ahead, creating a bigger, brighter gathering place with a new clubhouse, expanded playground and more room for community events. To make way for these improvements, Kearny Street between Clay and Washington streets will experience temporary lane closures beginning tomorrow, July 30 and full weekend closures Aug. 1-2 and Aug. 8-9 while crews safely demolish the pedestrian bridge. Residents, businesses and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, as traffic detours and Muni reroutes will be in place during construction. Portsmouth Square is one of three transformative City projects to undergo construction in Chinatown. To learn about these projects and all associated transportation impacts, click the link below or read the recent San Francisco Chronicle article at this link.
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Save the Date: Grand Opening of the New Gene Friend Rec Center on August 13 |
Save the date for the grand opening of the new Gene Friend Recreation Center (77 Harriet Street) on Thursday, August 13 at 11:30 a.m. The project completely rebuilt the former facility with a larger, modern recreation center featuring expanded community spaces, two full-size basketball courts, an outdoor playground and other amenities for children, families and seniors. Learn more about the project at the link below and stay tuned for more event details.
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Outdoor Gym Unveiled at Victoria Manalo Draves Park |
Can't wait for Gene Friend Recreation Center to open to get your workout in? Head to Victoria Manalo Draves Park (16 Sherman Street). Last week, Supervisor Matt Dorsey, community partners and Rec and Park celebrated the new outdoor gym, which features 10 exercise stations designed to give the SoMa community a new place to stay active and healthy. Pull up to the park this week and get your workout in!
Photo credit: Brandon Irvin
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"Unsafe to Swim" Installed in Golden Gate Park |
"Unsafe to Swim" by Oleg Lobykin was unveiled last week near the southwest entrance to Golden Gate Park (Lincoln Way and Great Highway) following a beach cleanup. Created in partnership with Building 180, the installation overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Big Art Loop. At first glance, the sculpture resembles a shark fin, but its surface is embedded with recycled aluminum cans, encouraging visitors to reflect on the impact of human activity on our oceans and the natural world. Learn more about the piece at the link below.
Photo credit: Masaki Omori
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Mayor Lurie Signs Legislation Bringing New Investment Downtown |
Mayor Daniel Lurie last week signed legislation approving the expansion and renewal of the Downtown SF Partnership Community Benefit District, more than doubling the organization's privately funded budget to expand services, programming and its service area. The expansion includes Embarcadero Plaza, the Ferry Building and the waterfront. The expanded district will provide long-term support for programming, beautification, public safety and other services. Learn more at the link below.
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FIFA Donates Soccer Balls to Support Youth Sports in our Parks |
Though the FIFA World Cup has ended, its impact continues as young athletes at Rec and Park's sports camp at Kezar Stadium were among the first to receive soccer balls through FIFA's World Cup 2026 Soccer Balls Initiative. Through a partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, San Francisco received 200 soccer balls that will support soccer programming in parks across the city and inspire the next generation of players. Thank you to FIFA for supporting youth sports.
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SFYBL 14U All-Star Team Advances to PONY West Zone Tournament |
Congratulations to the San Francisco Youth Baseball League (SFYBL) 14U All-Star team, which captured the PONY NorCal Super Regional championship in Modesto. After compiling an impressive 22-2-1 record during its summer postseason run, the team will travel to Southern California to compete in the PONY West Zone Tournament with a berth in the PONY International World Series on the line.
A special shoutout to coaches Vlad Hernandez and Danny Reznik for their leadership in guiding the team while proudly representing Rec and Park. Learn more about the team and follow its journey at the link below.
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Panhandle Basketball Courts to Close for Resurfacing Project on August 3 |
The Nate Thurmond Panhandle Basketball Courts (Oak and Baker streets) in Golden Gate Park will be closed for resurfacing beginning Monday, August 3 through late September. The project will provide a refreshed playing surface for one of San Francisco's most iconic basketball courts and storied pickup runs. Nearby basketball courts to hoop at during the closure include Rossi Playground (600 Arguello Boulevard), Duboce Park (Duboce Avenue and Noe Street) and Hamilton Recreation Center (1900 Geary Boulevard). Thank you to the Good Tidings Foundation and Warriors Foundation for making these improvements possible.
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Larsen Pickleball Courts Closed August 10 & 11 for Tree Work |
Rec and Park will remove a large cypress tree at Carl Larsen Park (19th Avenue and Vicente Street) on August 10 and 11 after arborists identified a significant structural split in its trunk. While the tree has been a cherished landmark and will be greatly missed, the department plans to plant 10 new trees in the park this fall. Summer camps and other activities will be temporarily relocated during the work, while the pickleball courts and playing field will be closed.
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People of the Parks: Precita Park |
Vivien has been part of the Precita Park community since she was 10 years old. Growing up in Bernal Heights just a few blocks away, she’s been coming to the park for years—first as a child to play, and now as an adult creating new memories with her dog and neighbors.
"When I babysit the kids from my block, I take them to the playground here. I love seeing them play on the same structures that my sister and I played on at that age," she shared.
For Vivien, Precita is more than just a neighborhood park. It’s a place where people from all walks of life come together to relax and connect.
"San Francisco can be a fast-moving city, so having places like Precita Park as a third space where you can slow down is so important," she said.
When Vivien recently returned home from college, she was delightfully surprised to see the park’s newest feature: an all-gender restroom featuring a colorful tile mural. Created by Precita Eyes Muralists, the mural is made up of 180 hand-painted tiles, each designed by a community member.
"They really make the park shine," she said.
Stop by Precita Park to see how this community-created artwork is adding even more color, creativity, and neighborhood pride to one of Bernal Heights' most beloved gathering places.
People of the Parks is a series of short stories, based on conversations with people we meet in San Francisco parks.
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Additional Highlights, News & Announcements |
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Jerry Day in Mclaren Park on August 1 |
Come out to the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater (40 John F. Shelley Drive) in McLaren Park for the 24th Annual Jerry Day on Saturday, August 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. The free, all-ages celebration features Melvin Seals & JGB with Jazz Mafia, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, Spencer Krenz & Friends and special guests to be announced. Learn more at the link below.
Jerry Day also takes place ahead of "Forever Grateful: Golden Gate Park," a new immersive Grateful Dead exhibition opening Labor Day weekend at the County Fair Building. Learn more about the exhibit and concert at this link.
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National Night Out at Parks Across San Francisco on August 4 |
Join the San Francisco Police Department for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4. This annual community-building campaign promotes partnerships and camaraderie with the goal of creating safer, stronger neighborhoods. Come out for block parties featuring music, contests, family activities and more.
Many of these events take place in our parks, including Balboa Park, the JFK Promenade, Kezar Triangle, India Basin Waterfront Park and Mission Playground. For more information, including the full list of block parties, click the link below.
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Additional Upcoming Events |
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Regular Programming & Series |
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Free Concerts in Our Parks: July 30 & August 1, 2, 4 & 5 |
Join us for free weekly concerts in our parks, including Illuminate Live and the Golden Gate Park Band at the bandshell, as well as Illuminate Live at Fulton Plaza. See upcoming shows below:
Fulton Plaza (Fulton Street between Larkin & Hyde streets)
July 30 | noon-3 p.m. - Ben Lang, Chloe Montoya, & Jos Eckert
August 4 | noon-3 p.m. - Alex Embusch, John Tardiff, & Owen Quincy
Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive)
August 2 | 1-2:30 p.m. - Golden Gate Park Band Concert: Tribute to Bay Area’s First Responders
August 5 | 4-7 p.m. - Market to Bandshell Midweek Melodies featuring Lisa Graciano, Little Oil, & Three Reefs Deep
The Whale's Tail (14th Ave East Meadow & the JFK Promenade)
August 1 | noon-6 p.m. - Bernal Equinox, Frances Ancheta, Jeanie & Chuck, & Sunset Hill
August 2 | noon-6 p.m. - Erston Pearcy, Malta Music, Michael Brown, & The Berrios Trio
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Storytime at Francisco Park on July 31 |
Join the Francisco Park Conservancy for Storytime in the Park (Bay and Larkin streets) on the main lawn on Friday, July 31 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Bring your little ones, along with a blanket and a snack. For more information, click the link below.
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Dance & Fitness Classes with Rae Studios Return to UN Plaza on August 1 |
Get moving at UN Plaza (Market and Hyde streets) beginning on Saturday, August 1 as free dance and fitness classes return after a summer break. Led by Rae Studios, the weekly lineup features a variety of classes for all experience levels. Learn more and register at the link below.
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Community Social Doubles at the Goldman Tennis Center on August 9 |
Join the Tennis Coalition of San Francisco for its Community Social Doubles series at the Goldman Tennis Center (Nancy Pelosi and Bowling Green drives) on Sunday, August 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. Designed for advanced beginner to intermediate players, the event offers round-robin short sets in a fun, organized environment and a chance to meet fellow tennis enthusiasts. Learn more and register at the link below.
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Additional Programming & Series |
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SF Public Library & SF Zoo Celebrate National Bison Month |
Our Video of the Week celebrates National Bison Month with a look at Golden Gate Park's beloved bison herd. The park has been home to bison since 1892, and today the herd of 10 female American bison is cared for by the San Francisco Zoo. The video also highlights the San Francisco Public Library's Summer Stride program, where readers can earn a tote featuring a bison as part of its design by logging 20 hours of reading this summer. Learn more about the Summer Stride program at the link below.
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