A project to rebuild Blue Heron Lake's boatshed at nearly twice its current size will receive an $850,000 infusion in federal funding, enhancing public access and rental operations at the beloved Golden Gate Park facility. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced the funding this week as part of more than $12 million headed to San Francisco to support critical community, public safety, transportation, housing, workforce and environmental projects across the city. These investments were secured through Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding and were included in the government funding package signed into law.

In operation since 1893, the boathouse serves as a hub for paddleboat and rowboat rentals in a peaceful, natural setting. The new funding will support the renovation and expansion of its boatshed, which is used to store and protect the lake’s boats, increasing public access and rental capacity. Thank you, Speaker Emerita, for your commitment to furthering equitable access to recreational spaces and opportunities. For more information, click the link below. 

SF Music Week 2026 kicks off on Monday, February 23 and runs through March 1. It celebrates the city’s rich music legacy and exists to strengthen the sector’s growth and economic vitality. This citywide celebration will spotlight events across San Francisco’s renowned music scene, including the kickoff of the 2026 Illuminate Live concert series at the Golden Gate Bandshell on Sunday, March 1 from noon to 4 p.m. Learn more about this concert, and all events next week at the link below. 

Last month, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and its President Rafael Mandelman recognized the Community Partner Network Advisory Committee for its leadership and dedication to San Francisco's parks and open spaces. The committee worked to unite more than 80 neighborhood groups, collaborating with city leaders and philanthropic partners to raise more than $2 million to reimburse small businesses and volunteers. Their work represented a collaborative model to protect San Francisco's open spaces. We're grateful for the committee's work and its dedication to our parks. 

Pictured from left to right: 

Rasheq Zarif, Buena Vista Neighborhood Association

Susan Hirsch, Third Plateau

Irma Lewis, Friends of Esprit Park

Michaela Dudley, Third Plateau

Joleen Yee, Friends of Franklin Square Park

Kath Tsakalakis, Lakeside Village

Rafael Mandelman, Board of Supervisors President

Matthew Blain, SF Urban Riders & Cross Town Trail

Ildiko Polony, Sutro Stewards

Stacy Owens, SE Owens & Company & Parks & Neighborhood Fund Grant Committee

Check out the San Francisco Chronicle's piece highlighting the transformation of Marview Trail up to Twin Peaks into a smooth, accessible pedestrian path. The newly upgraded trail now offers a safer way for residents and visitors to enjoy one of the city’s most iconic outdoor destinations, part of a larger effort to enhance access and reopen the Twin Peaks Promenade by 2027. Read the piece at the link below. 

The City and County of San Francisco is seeking a General Manager to lead the Recreation and Park Department, one of the nation’s largest and most diverse urban park systems. Appointed by the Mayor and working with the Recreation and Park Commission, the General Manager oversees more than 230 parks, playgrounds, recreation centers and open spaces, including Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, Marina Yacht Harbor and Camp Mather.

The ideal candidate is a visible, hands-on leader who understands parks as essential civic infrastructure supporting public health, environmental stewardship, equity and community well-being. For more information and to apply, click the link below. 

Magnificent Magnolias are in peak bloom at the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue), where more than 200 trees are in bloom with saucer-sized pink, white and magenta flowers through March. In honor of the bloom, there are daily magnolia-themed events through February 22, ranging from live music, children's theater, treats and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, click the link below. 

Join the Peace Parks program for its annual Black History Month celebration at Potrero Hill Recreation Center (801 Arkansas Street) on Thursday, February 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening will honor Black culture with music, food and community activities. For more information, contact the center at (415) 695-5009.

Join Ikebana International’s San Francisco Bay Area Chapter for its Expression of Love through Flowers demonstration at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) on Friday, February 20 beginning at noon. The event will contrast demonstrations of the Aratame school by Sumi Metz, and the Ikenobo school by Juri Kinoshita. Aratame, one of the newer schools, emphasizes contemporary styles, presentations, and striking modern design, while Ikenobo, the oldest school, has strong traditions in training artists.

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.

Join Rec and Park, the San Francisco Public Library, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF) for our Summer Resource Fair! The citywide event takes place at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, February 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kick-start your family's summer planning at this event, featuring more than 100 summer camps, classes, programs, and services for children in grades K-8. For more information, click the link below.

Join the Friends of Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Boulevard) for a water gardening and pond restoration workday on Saturday, February 21 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Learn about pond ecology and water management while supporting habitat restoration during the farm’s annual winter pond maintenance. Bring hip waders or rain boots and gloves, and be ready to get your hands wet. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. 

Join the Francisco Park Conservancy for its Dads with Strollers Meetup at the Francisco Park (Bay and Larkin streets) main lawn on Sunday, February 22 at 10 a.m. This casual walk-and-talk gathering is designed for dads with young children to spend time outdoors, meet neighbors and build community while strolling the park. Coffee and Bob’s Donuts will be provided, and everyone is welcome. Note that the event will be postponed if there is significant rain. For more information and to stay up to date, click the link below.

Celebrate Lunar New Year at the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue) on Sunday, February 22 from noon to 2 p.m. Usher in the Year of the Fire Horse with singing, Tai Chi, magic and more. Note that the event will be canceled if there is significant rain. For more information and to stay up to date, click the link below.

Join Rec and Park for its first-ever Black History Month Watch and Talk at the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way) on Tuesday, February 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will feature a two-part screening and guided discussion where attendees will view portions of a PBS documentary titled "How Land Was Taken from Black Americans," along with "The Last Black Man in San Francisco" by Joe Talbot.

Explore themes of community and belonging, Black history in the San Francisco Bay Area, power and access, redlining, and modern-day displacement. Please note that these topics may be sensitive for some audiences. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information and to RSVP by February 20, click the link below. 

The Mission Recreation Center (MRC) Rebels will host its girls AAU basketball tryouts on February 24, 26 and March 3 for grades 4 to 8, with high school tryouts on March 4 and 6. All tryouts take place at Mission Recreation Center (2450 Harrison Street) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information and to register, click the link below. 

Rec and Park's Girls Softball League starts on Wednesday, March 4. Divisions will be split into ages 10 and under and 14 and under, with one practice a week and games on Saturdays at Rossi Playground (600 Arguello Boulevard). For more information and to register, click the link below. 

Meet our San Francisco Park Rangers in this week’s Video of the Week from SFGovTV. Hear firsthand what it’s like to serve the city’s parks and communities. Rangers share how the role blends outdoor work, community engagement, enforcement and outreach while emphasizing the team camaraderie, career growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact every day. See the job description at the link below and stay tuned for the next hiring cycle to be a ranger. 

Job Openings

Rec and Park Gear

Volunteer with Us!

San Francisco Recreation and Parks | sfrecpark.org