Prom season isn’t just for teenagers anymore, as San Franciscans age 55 and better danced the afternoon away last week at Senior Prom, which made its long-awaited return to Golden Gate Park for the first time since the pandemic. Rec and Park Citywide Senior Programs Coordinator Katherine Villasin spearheaded the return of this senior soirée at the County Fair Building featuring live music, dancing, food, prom photos and more. Read more in the San Francisco Chronicle about these seniors still in the swing of things at the link below.

The San Francisco Emergency Medical Services Agency, a division of the Department of Emergency Management, honored Rec and Park Ranger Joseph Farkash with the 2026 EMS System First Responder Award earlier this week.

A Park Ranger since 2021, Ranger Farkash was recognized for his extraordinary composure and compassion during a critical behavioral health emergency in Buena Vista Park last July. Arriving first on the scene, he successfully de-escalated a highly volatile situation and coordinated with responding emergency personnel to help save a life.

Our Park Rangers are frequently the first line of response for crises in our parks, and Ranger Farkash’s bravery, empathy and professional judgment represent the very best of that service. Congratulations, Ranger Farkash, and thank you to all of our first responders keeping San Franciscans safe every day. Learn more at the link below. 

Earlier this week, Rec and Park joined the San Francisco Arts Commission, Building 180 and the Sijbrandij Foundation to unveil two new public art installations in the Panhandle. “Seed of Self,” created by artist Kate Raudenbush, offers a space for meditation and reflection within an intimate garden setting, while “An Attempted Murder” by artist Jack Champion brings a playful, thought-provoking presence through two oversized crow sculptures.

Both installations are part of the Big Art Loop, an initiative transforming San Francisco into an open-air gallery with large-scale sculptures spanning 34 miles across the city. With these additions, there are now 10 Big Art Loop installations located throughout Rec and Park properties. Explore the full map of installations at the link below.

India Basin Waterfront Park at 900 Innes Avenue recently received a 2026 American Institute of Architects San Francisco (AIASF) Honor Award in architecture. Located in Bayview-Hunters Point, the park reconnects the neighborhood to the shoreline while honoring the site’s industrial and cultural history through accessible public spaces, restored wetlands, gathering areas and educational programming.

The project, guided by San Francisco’s first Equitable Development Plan, is currently in its final phase of renovations at India Basin Shoreline Park. When completed, India Basin Shoreline Park and the 900 Innes site will combine to form one grand 10-acre waterfront park.

The award recognizes the collaborative work of Jensen Architects, Gustafson Guthrie Nichol and a multidisciplinary design team dedicated to creating a resilient and welcoming public space for generations to come. Learn more at the link below. 

(Photo credit: Swinerton) 

Rec and Park General Manager Sarah Madland and staff joined Mayor Daniel Lurie, elected officials and community leaders at City Hall to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. We are proud to honor the rich history, culture and contributions of the Jewish American community in San Francisco and throughout our parks.

Last call! The third design survey for the Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Project is open through Thursday, May 21. Community members are invited to share feedback on the latest design concepts, which build on input gathered to date. View the meeting materials and take the survey at the link below.

For more information, visit the project webpage or contact Project Manager Eoanna Harrison Goodwin at eoanna.goodwin@sfgov.org or (628) 652-6645.

One of Golden Gate Park’s favorite summer traditions returns this Memorial Day weekend as The Whale’s Tail reopens along the JFK Promenade’s Golden Mile. Located near the Rose Garden at 14th Avenue East Meadow, the free, family- and dog-friendly outdoor gathering space features live music, cold drinks, lawn games and local food trucks every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. through October, plus select holiday Mondays, including Memorial Day on May 25. For more information and to stay up-to-date, click the link below or follow @thewhalestail_sf on Instagram.

Celebrate the reopening of the Tenderloin Recreation Center Children’s Play Area (570 Ellis Street) on Tuesday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to noon. The newly redesigned space features a nature-based playground with climbing structures, slides and a nest swing, along with expanded greenery, improved accessibility and flexible seating areas for play and community use. Learn more about the project at the link below. 

Submit your work for the Harvey Milk Center for the Arts and Photo Center’s 2026 ART + PRIDE Exhibit for 2026, “Let’s Have a Ball!” The deadline to submit work is Sunday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m.

The exhibition celebrates joy, expression and the many ways queer communities gather and take up space, with artists invited to contribute work across mediums including photography, sculpture, painting, textiles and digital media. The show will run at the center (50 Scott Street) from June 20 through July 31, with an opening reception on June 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. Learn more and apply at the link below.

(Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon Portraits to the People)

The Carnaval San Francisco celebration returns to the Mission District on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24 for a weekend of music, dance and cultural celebration highlighting Latin American traditions and artistry. As part of the festivities, Rec and Park’s Mobile Rec team will host a Skate Jam from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days on 23rd Street between Harrison Street and Treat Avenue near Parque Niños Unidos (3090 23rd Street). For more information, click the link below.

Try adaptive cycling, pickleball and wheelchair basketball at the Adaptive Sports Fair at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) on Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hosted by Sutter Health-CPMC Inpatient Rehabilitation, BORP and Rec and Park, this free, family-friendly event welcomes participants of all ages, abilities and experience levels. Adaptive equipment will be provided, and attendees can also connect with community resources while enjoying free pizza and snacks. RSVP and learn more at the link below.

Join us for free weekly concerts in our parks, including with 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)

May 21 | noon-3 p.m. - Marlina Teich, Steve Egelman, and Troubadour Fools

May 26 | noon-3 p.m. - John Elliott, Like Planes, and XtinaM

 

Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive)

May 22 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday Happy Hour featuring Maurice Tani

May 23 | 2-6 p.m. The Bandshell Blues Fest featuring Dennis Johnson & The Revelators, Highwater Blues Band, & Stan Erhart & the Fabulous Misfits

May 24 | 1-2:30 p.m. - Golden Gate Park Band Concert: A Celebration of Armenian Culture

May 24 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Reggae Sunday featuring Saritah & resident DJs Guid8nce, Sep & Irie Dole

May 27 | 4-7 p.m. - Midweek Melodies featuring Mark Karan’s Budz & The Keller Sisters

Join Mayor Daniel Lurie and First Lady Becca Prowda for One City Day, a citywide day of service taking place across all 11 San Francisco districts on Saturday, July 11. Volunteers of all ages are invited to participate in projects ranging from neighborhood cleanups and park beautification to supporting local communities.

Our Video of the Week comes from the Mayor and First Lady, announcing that signups open on Friday, May 29. Whether you are volunteering for the first time or are a longtime community advocate, there are opportunities throughout the city to get involved and make a difference. Learn more at the link below.