Come out for the grand opening of the new Gene Friend Recreation Center (77 Harriet Street) on Thursday, August 13. The center will open at 11 a.m. with the program beginning 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. The event will feature family-friendly activities including drop-in basketball, a DJ, arts and crafts, karaoke and more. Learn more about the project from the San Francisco Chronicle at the link below. 

Rec and Park’s registration for fall classes and programs opens on Saturday, August 15 at 10 a.m. Sign up for activities ranging from kayaking at Lake Merced to a new girls flag football program. For more information and to register, visit sfrecpark.org/register or call (628) 652-2900. View the fall catalog at the link below.

As summer winds down, go behind the scenes with SFGATE at one of Rec and Park’s most iconic destinations. Camp Mather is where generations of employees have found community, friendship and renewal amid the natural beauty of the Sierra. From its college-aged staff to Rec and Park’s oldest employee, meet the people and explore the traditions that have shaped this beloved family camp throughout its 102-year history at the link below.

Photo Credit: Jazea Kalea Smith/SFGATE

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 18th annual Outside Lands Music Festival this past weekend. The festival welcomed more than 225,000 attendees and featured nearly 100 performers, with food and drink from more than 100 Bay Area businesses. We’re proud to host this signature music, food and art festival in Golden Gate Park and look forward to next year.

Photo Credit: Phil Halperin

Last weekend, young boatbuilders with Rocking the Boat celebrated the launch of "Paradise," a 16-foot wooden rowboat they built from scratch at India Basin Waterfront Park (900 Innes Avenue). The launch marked the culmination of 13 months of work and the first new boat built and launched at India Basin in decades. Mayor Daniel Lurie joined the celebration to christen the boat before its maiden voyage on San Francisco Bay. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle at the link below.

Photo Credit: Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle

The two east tennis courts at Alta Plaza Park reopened last weekend following the completion of a resurfacing project, which was finished in less than two weeks. Grab your racket and serve some aces soon! Special thanks to San Franciscans for Sports and Recreation and the Friends of Alta Plaza Park, whose generous support made this project possible.

Join the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) for the free opening reception of its 2026 Member, Staff and Volunteer Show on Friday, August 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibition highlights photography created by the center’s artistic community and will remain on view through Saturday, October 3. Learn more and RSVP at the link below. 

Head to Margaret Hayward Playground (1016 Laguna Street) for a back-to-school celebration on Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event connects young people and families with community opportunities through a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, community resource fair and more. Learn more at the link below.

Experience a colorful floral display at the free Annual Dahlia Show, hosted by the Dahlia Society of California in Golden Gate Park’s Hall of Flowers (1199 9th Avenue) on Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show celebrates the 100th anniversary of the dahlia becoming San Francisco’s official flower and will present awards including Best in Show, People’s Choice and Nature’s Oddities. Learn more at the link below.

Swing by Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Boulevard) for its Citrus Tree Pruning Workshop on Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop will focus on the basics of tree biology and care to encourage a healthy and productive fruit tree. Learn more and register at the link below.

Head to Potrero Hill Recreation Center (801 Arkansas Street) for a Day on the Green on Saturday, August 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free event features games, raffles, food and art for the whole family. For more information, email info@standinpeace.org.

Registration is open for the Orlando Cepeda Academy’s free fall baseball and softball season, hosted by the Giants Community Fund in partnership with Rec and Park. Open to youth ages 10 to 17, the season runs from September 12 through October 31, with games held Saturdays at Crocker Amazon Park (799 Moscow Street). Learn more and register at the link below.

Fulton Plaza (Fulton Street between Larkin & Hyde streets)

August 13 | noon-3 p.m. - Jules Buckner, Michael Wheeler & Silver Lining, & Vagabond Empire

August 18 | noon-3 p.m. - Chris Meeder, Three Reefs Deep, & Trixie Rasputin

 

Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive)

August 16 | 1-2:30 p.m. - Golden Gate Park Band Concert: Celebrating Hungarian Culture

August 19 | 4-7 p.m. - Midweek Melodies featuring C Breezy Quartet, Eliz, & Joyce Lee

 

The Whale's Tail (14th Avenue East Meadow & the JFK Promenade)

August 15 | noon-6 p.m. - Alex Walsh, Nate Harris, Rob Dietrich, & Summer Champ

August 16 | noon-6 p.m. - Matt Reagan, Ms G, XtinaM, & Young Sun

Join the Francisco Park Conservancy for its Dads with Strollers Meetup at the playground in Francisco Park (Bay and Larkin streets) on Sunday, August 16 from 10 a.m. to noon. This casual walk-and-talk gathering is designed for dads with young children to spend time outdoors, meet neighbors and build community. Coffee and Bob’s Donuts will be provided. Learn more at the link below.

Join the San Francisco Model Yacht Club (SFMYC) for its open house on Sunday, August 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The monthly event features free tours of the historic clubhouse (1217 John F. Kennedy Drive) and its collection of handmade sailboats and power boats. For more information, click the link below.

Our Video of the Week comes from KTVU and captures the launch of “Paradise,” a handcrafted wooden boat built by Bayview-Hunters Point youth through Rocking the Boat. Watch this special moment and learn about the organization’s free community rowing program at India Basin Waterfront Park (900 Innes Avenue) at the link below.

Photo Credit: Brandon Irvin