Celebrate Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, in our parks this weekend with concerts and community events at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) and Gilman Playground (903 Gilman Avenue):

Come out to the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way) for a ribbon cutting and community celebration of a new Nature Exploration Area on Saturday, June 20 at 9 a.m. The ceremony will be followed by opportunities for children and families of all ages to explore the new space.

Created from fallen logs sourced from San Francisco parks, this space invites children and families to climb, balance, and explore while fostering curiosity, creativity, and a deeper connection with the natural world.

This project is a collaboration between Rec and Park, the Randall Museum, SF Children & Nature, and Randall Museum Friends. Special thanks to the community members who made this project possible. RSVP for the free event at the link below.

Mayor Daniel Lurie announced last week the second season of “Cinema on the Square,” expanding the series to five free movie screenings in Union Square this summer season. Hosted in partnership with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Rec and Park, and Biederman Redevelopment Ventures Corporation (BRV), with the support of Alamo Drafthouse and Bank of America, the season adds to a wide range of existing free programming in Union Square.

The series of free outdoor movies will begin June 20 with a special one-year anniversary screening of “KPop Demon Hunters.” The award-winning film will be shown on the big screen as the official sing-along version from Netflix. Pre-show will begin at 4 p.m. with the film starting at approximately 8:40 p.m.

Over the past year, in partnership with OEWD and Rec and Park, and support from the Union Square Alliance, BRV has helped drive Union Square’s revitalizing by introducing new amenities and hosting 429 free programs—from weekly fitness classes and kids’ activities to crafts, chess, cultural performances, live music, and ‘Cinema on the Square’ film screenings. These programs engaged more than 800,000 participants and boosted daily plaza visitation by 13.7%.

BRV’s free programming is made possible by a grant from the Office of Mayor Daniel Lurie and OEWD, with ‘Cinema on the Square’ presented by Bank of America and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, in cooperation with Rec and Park and support from the Union Square Alliance. Learn more at the link below.

San Francisco officials are moving forward with an ambitious $40 million plan to transform Embarcadero Plaza, combining it with adjacent Sue Bierman Park to create a new waterfront destination that connects to downtown. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle about the proposal and upcoming milestones at the link below.

Last weekend, the Orlando Cepeda Academy kicked off a new era with its opening day at the Balboa Park baseball fields. A ceremony celebrated the first game day under the academy's new name honoring Giants legend and Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, who was a longtime member of the Giants Community Fund Advisory Board and regularly led efforts to invest in youth throughout San Francisco. Academy families, members of the Cepeda family, and Giants leadership helped mark a new chapter for the program to honor Cepeda's lasting legacy. 

Established in 2022 through a partnership between the Giants Community Fund and Rec and Park, the academy provides free, competitive baseball and softball to middle and high school-aged youth in San Francisco’s under-resourced communities. The program aims to strengthen diversity in the game by creating pathways both on the field and into front offices across professional sports.

Since its inaugural season, more than 2,500 youth have participated in the academy programming. In 2025 alone, the program served 910 players, including 254 girls, with the support of 74 coaches. More than 500 players are participating this summer. Every athlete receives the resources needed to play, including jerseys, pants, hats, equipment, coaching and mentorship at no cost to families. Learn more about programming at the link below.

A fresh pedicure is not something you expect to see on a bison, but one of Golden Gate Park's all-female herd members recently received just that as part of her routine wellness exam. The visit, conducted by the San Francisco Zoo team that cares for the animals, included a hoof trim, bloodwork and vaccinations. Because she weighs nearly 1,500 pounds, veterinarians used anesthesia to safely complete the procedure. She has since returned to the herd healthy and radiant for summer.

Bison have called Golden Gate Park home since 1891, when Superintendent John McLaren brought in the first animals as part of an early conservation effort to help preserve a species that was nearing extinction. Stop by the Bison Paddock to visit America's national mammal and learn more about this historic facility at the link below.

Last weekend, Rec and Park participated in the 33rd Annual Mae Louise Mays Softball Tournament at the Moscone Recreation Center ballfields. Hosted by Rec and Park and the San Francisco Human Services Agency (HSA), this storied tournament brings together city departments and community organizations for a day of friendly competition benefiting City Youth Now and Rec and Park's scholarship program. It's named in honor of Mae Louise Mays, a longtime social worker with HSA and the late wife of Giants legend Willie Mays.

Rec and Park's team ran the gauntlet throughout the day, scoring victories against the Golden State Warriors, Department of Public Health, the defending champion LDP Architecture and Friends of Leap Arts, and the Department of Public Works, before beating its co-host HSA in the championship. We're grateful to all participating teams for supporting youth in San Francisco and look forward to defending the title next year. 

The Conservatory of Flowers (100 John F. Kennedy Drive) in Golden Gate Park is expecting a rare, notoriously stinky corpse flower bloom within the next seven to 10 days. Affectionately known as "Scarlet," the corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) has a bud growing rapidly at the Conservatory. These plants typically bloom every three to five years, with blooms lasting just 48 hours. Learn more and stay up-to-date on the flower's progress at the link below.

A recent report from the Trust for Public Land (TPL) found that every $1 invested in parks and recreation generates at least $3 in local economic benefits each year. The report highlights how parks improve public health, reduce infrastructure costs and support local economies, making them one of the most cost-effective investments communities can make. Read more about the findings at the link below.

Rec and Park's Girls Play Sports team is accepting applications for its We Lead Cohort, a paid leadership and professional development program for young adults ages 18 to 28. Running from July through December, the program offers training in leadership, youth sports officiating, job-readiness skills and sports photography. Participants can earn up to 65 hours of paid work at $26.27 per hour and are expected to commit two to six hours per week, including Wednesday evening meetings. Applications are due June 24. Learn more and apply at the link below.

Last month, Rec and Park hosted the second annual Adaptive Sports Fair at Glen Canyon Park Rec Center, in partnership with BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation and Sutter Health-CPMC Inpatient Rehabilitation.

The free event brought together people of all ages and abilities for a day of adaptive sports, including adaptive cycling, adaptive pickleball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, and more.

Among the participants was Iuliia, a bronze medalist in wheelchair fencing at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. She showcased her award-winning skills while inspiring others to take a stab at the sport.

“I really fell in love with fencing, because for me, it’s not just a sport, it’s really like changing your personality,” she said. “You need to understand yourself, and you need to understand your opponent.”

Her advice? Keep an open mind and don’t let obstacles get in your way.

“Life is pretty hard but with sports, you can have a lot of fun and make new friends and meet people who think like you. It gives you a lot of opportunities,” she said.

BORP offers year-round opportunities for people of all abilities and skill levels to participate in a variety of adaptive sports, including weekly wheelchair basketball at Glen Canyon Park Rec Center. The organization also hosts adaptive cycling programs in Golden Gate Park from June through October. Learn more about BORP's San Francisco programming in our parks at the link below.

People of the Parks is a series of short stories, based on conversations with people we meet in San Francisco parks.

The San Francisco Dragon Boat Festival hits the water at Lake Merced (1 Harding Road) this Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free two-day event features dragon boat races, cultural performances, family-friendly activities and local vendors, bringing together paddlers and spectators from across the Bay Area. Learn more at the link below.

Bring your furry friends to Little Marina Green (3950 Scott Street) on Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Pet Food Express Fun and Fitness Fest. This free, family-friendly event features pet adoptions, dog agility courses, interactive activities and more. Learn more about Pet Food Express at the link below.

Head to Page Street Community Garden (438 Page Street) for free seeds and plant starts on Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is open to all San Francisco residents and offers an opportunity to connect with UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco counties, who will be on-site to answer questions and share expert gardening advice. Registration is not required. Learn more at the link below.

Join community partners for the Visitacion Valley Summer Soirée on Saturday, June 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Yik Oi Huang Peace and Friendship Park (251 Leland Avenue). This free, family-friendly event features carnival games, prizes, snacks, music and community resources. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below.

Celebrate Pride Month with the Harvey Milk Center for the Arts and Photo Center (50 Scott Street) at its 2026 ART + PRIDE Exhibit, "Let's Have a Ball!," opening on Saturday, June 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition celebrates joy, expression, spectacle and the many ways queer communities gather in resistance, intimacy and play. The free opening reception will feature live performances beginning at 7 p.m., and the exhibition will remain on view through July 31. Learn more at the link below.

Join Refuse Refuse and community partners at Boeddeker Park (246 Eddy Street) on Sunday, June 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. for an I Love Tenderloin Week neighborhood cleanup. Volunteers will help pick up litter in the surrounding area, with all supplies provided and no experience necessary. Participants will also receive prizes and enjoy music from a live DJ. Register 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)

June 18 | noon-3 p.m. - Noah Frank, Season of Us, & Stephanie Woodford

June 23 | noon-3 p.m. - Jon Bennett, Ry Vo, & Tomfoolery

 

Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive)

June 19 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday Happy Hour featuring Afterthought & The Top Chefs

June 20 | noon-4 p.m. Rebel Soul Fest featuring David Boyce, Frak, Ian Kelly, Kai Azana, Martin Luther McCoy, Otis McDonald, The World Famous Show, & Veotis

June 21 | 1-2:30 p.m. - Golden Gate Park Band Concert: Juneteenth and Father’s Day

June 21 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Reggae Sunday featuring  Noble Tobal & Rootikal Radio & resident DJs Guid8nce, Sep, & Irie Dole

June 24 | 4-7 p.m. Midweek Melodies featuring Jesse Loren Strickman, Simone Santos, & Trixie Rasputin

 

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

June 20 | noon-6 p.m. Chloe Montoya, Kevin Fagan, Maya Bennett, & Syd and I

June 21 | noon-6 p.m. - Ben Lang, Just Float, & Kevin Coffey

Bring the family to Saturday Morning Drop-In Playtime at St. Mary's Recreation Center (95 Justin Drive), which takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Families can bring bikes, trikes, scooters and striders to enjoy a morning of outdoor play and recreation. The free drop-in program is open to children and families of all ages. For more information, contact the center at (415) 695-5006.

Shoot some hoops at Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center's (650 Capitol Avenue) drop-in women's basketball program on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Open to ages 15 and older, the program welcomes players of all skill levels for an evening of empowerment, fitness and fun on the court. For more information, contact the center at (415) 337-4710.

Our Video of the Week comes from SFGovTV's "Get Out and Play" series with host Michael Baltazar. In Episode 2, Michael visits the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club at Angler's Lodge (1232 John F. Kennedy Drive) in Golden Gate Park to learn the basics of fly fishing. The episode highlights a beginner-friendly and family-friendly way to enjoy the outdoors, connect with nature and try a new recreational activity. Learn more at the link below.