Rec and Park broke ground yesterday on a $1.27 million outdoor fitness and recreation area at the Golden Gate Park Senior Center. The space will feature exercise equipment, shaded seating and a flexible area for dance, tai chi, yoga, Zumba, classes, crafts and workshops.

Inspired by “senior playgrounds” around the world, the project was shaped by local seniors through community meetings and multilingual surveys.

Thank you to former District 1 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer for championing the vision for this project and to current Supervisor Connie Chan for bringing it to life. Learn more at the link below. 

The State of California last week awarded $10 million toward the planned $48 million renovation of Jackson Playground in Potrero Hill, pending approval by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

The project will rebuild and expand the clubhouse, improve the ballfields and add new playgrounds, a dedicated dog run, community garden, sports viewing areas and outdoor multi-use court. Developed in partnership with the Friends of Jackson Park and shaped by years of community input, the renovation is expected to break ground in late 2027. Learn more at the link below.

San Francisco parks remain among the city’s highest-rated and most frequently used public services, according to the 2026 City Survey. Parks received an average grade of B+ and tied libraries for the highest rating among City services. Seventy-seven percent of respondents rated parks as good or excellent. The most common reasons for visiting were enjoying nature, trails or gardens; picnicking or meeting friends; and walking or playing with dogs. Learn more at the link below. 

Celebrate San Francisco Fleet Week through Monday, October 12 with events in parks across the city. Highlights include free military band performances at Noe Valley Town Square, Patricia’s Green, the Golden Gate Bandshell and Union Square; the Air Show at Marina Green from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11; and K9 Heroes at Duboce Park on Saturday, October 10.

India Basin Waterfront Park (900 Innes Avenue) will also host a free concert by Golden West Brass, community rowing with Rocking the Boat, games, activities, military challenges and a block party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fleet Week concludes with the High School Band Challenge at the Golden Gate Bandshell on Monday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. See the complete schedule at the link below.

Celebrate the reopening of the Nate Thurmond Panhandle Basketball Courts (Fell and Clayton streets) on Wednesday, October 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. The courts honor Nate Thurmond, a seven-time NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Famer who played 11 seasons with the Warriors and whose No. 42 was retired by the team.

The project continues Rec and Park’s longstanding partnership with the Good Tidings Foundation and the Warriors organization, now represented by the Golden State Community Foundation, and builds on earlier court renovations in 2000 and 2016. The latest improvements include resurfacing, fresh paint, new rims, partner logos and Thurmond’s No. 42.

The courts will be closed October 12 and 13 for painting and until 3 p.m. on October 14 for event setup. The celebration will feature remarks and a ceremonial tip-off, with the courts reopening for public play at 5 p.m.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass returned to Golden Gate Park last weekend, bringing more than 70 acts to six stages across Hellman Hollow, Lindley Meadow and Marx Meadow. Artists honored Dolly Parton throughout the weekend by performing songs she wrote or covered, recalling her landmark 2005 festival appearance. The festival drew huge crowds, reaching capacity Saturday. Thank you to everyone who braved the heat to enjoy a weekend of free music in the park. Stay tuned for details on 2027 at the link below.

(Photo Credit: Phil Halperin)

More than 500 people gathered at Upper Noe Recreation Center last month for Upper Noe Neighborfest. The community enjoyed live music, free ice cream and popcorn, a children’s Imagination Playground and more. Rec and Park staff also introduced attendees to the department’s recreation offerings through activities such as archery. Thank you to the Rec and Park staff and volunteers who helped make the event a success!

We Players theatre company presents “Odyssea” at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park for seven performances from Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 18. Based on Emily Wilson’s translation of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” this comedic, all-femme production celebrates the humor and pathos of Homer’s epic. Join a serious and silly secret society for rituals inspired by the heroes of academia and classical antiquity. Evening performances begin at 7 p.m., with Sunday performances at 4 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, click the link below.

Enjoy a weekend of events at the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue) on October 10 and 11. Knitting in Nature takes place Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free monthly plant sale, featuring California native plants, will be held near the Main Gate on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bird Curious invites beginning birders to explore the Garden on Sunday, October 11 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Learn more and register at the link below.

Join the Friends of Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Boulevard) for a soil stewardship workshop on Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop will explore the physical, chemical and biological aspects of soil health and share accessible strategies for improving soil and plant health. For more information and to register, click the link below.

Join Rec and Park Historian-in-Residence Christopher Pollock for a walking tour beginning at the Conservatory of Flowers (100 John F. Kennedy Drive) on Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. The tour will explore the park’s history and landmarks, including the National AIDS Memorial Grove, Shakespeare Garden, Music Concourse and more. Register at the link below.

Celebrate Fleet Week and the Bayview-Hunters Point community at India Basin Waterfront Park (900 Innes Avenue) on Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a free concert by Golden West Brass, part of the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, free community rowing with Rocking the Boat, games, activities, military challenges and a block party.

The celebration is part of a weekend-long test of a slower, safer Innes Avenue and Hunters Point Boulevard. There will be a block party and Safer Street demonstration between Hunters Point Boulevard and Innes Avenue in addition to the celebration in the park. Learn more at the link below.

Join the San Francisco Model Yacht Club (SFMYC) for its free Model Boats on Parade event at Spreckels Lake (36th Avenue and Spreckels Lake Drive) on Sunday, October 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See model boats on display and on the lake, with the parade of boats at 11 a.m. and a remote-controlled Star 45 sailboat race along the north shore at 1 p.m. Learn more at the link below.

Enjoy free weekly concerts, including Illuminate Live performances at the Golden Gate Bandshell, Fulton Plaza and the Whale’s Tail. See upcoming shows below:  

 

Fulton Plaza (Fulton Street between Larkin & Hyde streets)

October 8 | noon-3 p.m. - Erston Pearcy, John Tardiff, & XtinaM

October 13 | noon-3 p.m. - Junior Correa, Peter Lindman, & Roman Antonian

 

Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive)

October 9 | noon-1 p.m. - Fleet Week Lunchtime Navy Band Concert

October 9 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. - Friday Happy Hour featuring B3B4

October 10 | 1-6 p.m. - Electric Fields featuring Carrieondisco, discoesq, DJ Cira, DJ M3, J Key, Ledet, & Reggie Jams

October 11 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. - Reggae Sunday featuring Rastan & resident DJs Guid8nce, Sep, & Irie Dole

October 14 | 4-7 p.m. - Midweek Melodies featuring Elise Nova, Eva Jay Fortune, & Purple Gaze

 

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

October 10 | noon-6 p.m. - Elise Nova, Lenore The Troubadour, Three Reefs Deep, & XtinaM

October 11 | noon-6 p.m. - Dan Agnello, Matt Jaffe, Scott Ray Laws, & Sergio Vuskovic

Youth ages 13 to 19 are invited to the Young People’s Teen Musical Theatre Company’s (YPTMTC) open auditions for “Something Rotten!” at Harvey Milk Center for the Arts (50 Scott Street) on Friday, October 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 10 from noon to 1 p.m. Set in the Renaissance, the musical comedy follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they struggle to compete with William Shakespeare and set out to write the world’s first musical.

Interested candidates should prepare a song and bring sheet music for the provided accompanist, as well as a monologue of no more than two minutes. Be prepared to dance. Callbacks will take place that Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Performances are scheduled for January 29 to 31 and February 5 to 7, 2027, at the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way). For more information, click the link below.

Join the Francisco Park Conservancy for Dads with Strollers at Francisco Park (Bay and Larkin streets) on Sunday, October 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet fellow dads at the lower children’s playground for a friendly walk and conversation. Coffee and Bob’s Donuts will be provided. Learn more at the link below.

Our Video of the Week comes from GameChanger and celebrates San Francisco Bay Sox coach Jandro Alcantar, who has been named the 2026 GameChanger of the Year. Since joining the Bay Sox in 2016, Alcantar has helped grow the program from one team of 12 players into a year-round community serving more than 150 girls ages 7 to 18.

While working full time as an assistant principal, Alcantar has continued to coach players of all skill levels and create opportunities for girls to compete and see a future for themselves in baseball. His commitment helped lead a group of players he had coached since age 7 to a national championship in 2025.
Congratulations, Coach Jandro, and thank you for everything you do for the Bay Sox and girls baseball in San Francisco and beyond. Learn more at the link below.