Happy Pride Weekend! We're excited to host a number of Pride events in our parks this weekend, including the Trans March on Friday, June 26 and the Dyke March on Saturday, June 27, taking place at Dolores Park (Dolores and 18th streets). Please note that the surrounding streets will have closures. Both events begin at 3 p.m. Neither event is produced by San Francisco Pride.

Additionally, help kick off Pride Weekend at Embarcadero Plaza (Market and Steuart streets) on June 26 at 8 p.m., where Illuminate will light "WELCOME," the Pride-themed rainbow laser flag stretching down Market Street. Beneath Big Art Loop's R-Evolution, the installation will cast a rainbow more than four miles across San Francisco, creating a colorful welcome to Pride Weekend.

More San Francisco Pride celebrations will be taking place at Civic Center Plaza (335 McAllister Street) on June 27 and 28 from noon to 6 p.m. The Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 28 beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending at Civic Center Plaza. For more information, including the schedule, map, event rules and more, click the link below.

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 can participate in projects ranging from neighborhood cleanups and park beautification to supporting local communities. 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 and signup at the link below.

A major transformation of Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park is moving forward after the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission unanimously approved the project's final concept design. The $40 million public-private effort will reimagine five acres at the foot of Market Street with new green space, recreation opportunities, gathering areas, and year-round programming.

Originally shaped by the former Embarcadero Freeway, the site will be redesigned to better connect downtown San Francisco with the waterfront and create a more welcoming public space for residents and visitors alike. The concept design, initiated by BXP and created by HOK and project partners, reflects more than a year of community engagement that included three major public meetings and thousands of survey responses and comments from residents, workers, visitors, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders. Community feedback consistently emphasized the need for improved flexibility, seating, programming, and stronger connections to the waterfront. Learn more at the link below. 

Seven community-driven park improvement projects are moving forward after receiving approval from the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission. Funded through the Community Opportunity Fund, the projects were proposed by residents, neighborhood groups, and community partners to help shape the future of San Francisco's park system.

The selected projects will bring meaningful upgrades to parks and public spaces, improving accessibility, safety, recreation opportunities, and neighborhood gathering spaces across the City.

Projects approved to move forward include:

Approximately $6 million from the 2020 Health and Recovery Bond has been allocated to support the projects, with individual awards ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million. With Commission approval secured, the projects will now advance into design and environmental review.

Young explorers have a new place to play at the Randall Museum with the opening of a Nature Exploration Area designed to encourage hands-on discovery and outdoor adventure. Families, community members, and project partners recently gathered to celebrate the opening of the new outdoor space, which invites children to connect with nature through imaginative and active play.

The Nature Exploration Area features climbing and balancing elements, a woven den, carved logs, and a rope swing, creating endless opportunities for exploration and creativity. Built using locally sourced logs and stumps repurposed from Rec and Park operations, the project reflects a commitment to sustainability and nature-based learning. The new play area was made possible through a partnership between SF Rec and Park, SF Children & Nature, and Randall Museum Friends, and marks the 15th nature play space created through the collaborative initiative.

The Randall Museum, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary in September, is a free community learning center where visitors of all ages can explore science, nature, and art through hands-on experiences. Learn more at the link below.

We're saddened to learn of the passing of Jake Sigg, whose decades of service, advocacy and stewardship helped shape San Francisco's parks, natural areas and environmental legacy. A respected horticulturist, educator, and conservation leader, Jake inspired generations of staff, volunteers, and community members through his commitment to native plants, habitat restoration, and environmental stewardship.

Jake began his career with Rec and Park as a city gardener and later served as a plant collections expert at the Strybing Arboretum, helping build a foundation of horticultural knowledge that continues to influence the department today. He played a key role in advancing habitat restoration efforts across the city and was instrumental in fostering volunteer programs that connected thousands of people to the care and protection of San Francisco's natural spaces.

His influence can be seen throughout the city, from Twin Peaks and Mount Davidson to Glen Canyon and many other natural areas where he championed ecological restoration and the preservation of native habitats. Jake's legacy lives on in the landscapes he helped restore, the partnerships he helped build, and the many people he inspired through his knowledge, generosity, and passion for the natural world.

We invite you to visit one of our natural areas this week in honor of Jake's memory. See the park list at the link below. 

The Conservatory of Flowers (100 John F. Kennedy Drive) in Golden Gate Park is home to the  rare, notoriously stinky corpse flower which just started to bloom today. 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.

Once a week at Margaret Hayward Playground, Han and his fellow San Francisco Spikes gather for practice. The Spikes, a soccer team for the LGBTQ+ community and allies, bring players together from across the Bay Area with all levels of experience. Some are lacing up their cleats for the first time, while others are former collegiate athletes looking to stay competitive. Regardless of experience, all members come for soccer and also the community that Spikes provides.

Han started playing soccer in 2022. Being a part of a league that allowed him to fully embrace his identity, he truly felt like he was able to think about just playing soccer.

“I could focus on actually kicking the ball, instead of worrying about being trans,” he said. 

Recently, the Spikes introduced practices specifically for people who experience gender marginalization. It didn’t take long for word to spread and attendance to grow.

“It started as four to five people showing up consistently and ended up with an average of 30 people by the end of the season,” Han shared.

Whether at weekly practices or tournaments, the Spikes have built a sense of camaraderie that extends far beyond the field. Friendships formed through the league continue beyond practices, making the team about much more than just exercise. And for Han and his teammates, those connections are well worth the effort.

***

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

Sharon Art Studio (300 Bowling Green Drive) will host its Art in the Park Summer Showcase  featuring artwork created by summer camp participants on Thursday, June 25. The morning session will take place from 11 a.m. to noon, with an afternoon session from 2 to 3 p.m. Guests can view ceramics, fine arts and jewelry from the three-week camps, with each student presenting at least one selected piece, title and artist statement. Learn more at the link below.

Celebrate the start of summer with Family Day at India Basin Waterfront Park (900 Innes Avenue) on Saturday, June 27 from noon to 4 p.m. Families, friends and neighbors can enjoy performances, free haircuts, bounce houses, family-friendly activities and more. Learn more at the link below.

Head out to Union Square (333 Post Street) for its second Cinema on the Square movie screening with a special Pride screening of “The Birdcage” on Saturday, June 27. Pre-show will be hosted by drag queen Katya Smirnoff Sky beginning at 6:30 p.m., with the film starting at approximately 8:45 p.m. Details at the link below.

Make your way to Zion Skate Plaza (751 Stanyan Street) for the Zion Skate Day on Sunday, June 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. The event features skate competitions including Best Blindfold Trick, Best Air Ramp Jump, Best ZSP Obstacle and Skate Run, bringing skaters together for an afternoon of community, creativity and competition. Learn more at the link below.

Join us for free weekly concerts in our parks, including 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 30 | noon-3 p.m. - Migrant Pickers, Shimmy, & Stevie Coupons

 

Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive)

June 26 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday Happy Hour featuring Shake It Booty Band

June 27 | noon-4 p.m. Queer Country Hoedown Vol. 2 featuring Country Risqué, Dionysus, HRT, Lil Mar Mar, Lizz Shine, Mexcal Lynn, Mezcal Lynn, mIke sTrapOn, Papi Payaso, & Squeakie

June 28 | 1-2:30 p.m. - Golden Gate Park Band Concert: Around the World in 90 minutes

June 28 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Reggae Sunday featuring Knolij Tafari, Selecta 7 & resident DJs Guid8nce, Sep, & Irie Dole

July 1 | 4-7 p.m. Market to Bandshell Midweek Melodies featuring Shimmy, The Treacherous French, & The Welcome Matt

 

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

June 27 | noon-6 p.m. Jamie Wilson, Joe Burke, Paris, & Shimmy

June 28 | noon-6 p.m. - Ants Fujinaga, Deborah Crooks, John Elliott, & Middle Dog

Join the Francisco Park Conservancy for a storytime at the Park (Bay and Larkin streets) on the main lawn on Friday, June 26 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Bring your little ones along with a blanket and a snack.

Additionally, there will be community yoga class on Sunday, June 28 from 10 to 11 a.m. Bring a yoga mat, blanket, or towel and meet on the lawn for some morning movement. This event is open to the community with all levels welcome. Details at the link below. .

San Francisco Nature Education (SFNE) is hosting summer bird walks in Golden Gate Park, with the first taking place on Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue). SFNE volunteers will lead these walks, offering one program for children ages 5 to 12 (accompanied by a parent or guardian), and another for youth and adults ages 13 and up. For more information and to register for these field trips, click the link below.

Grab a racquet and head to Parkside Square (2680 28th Avenue) for the Tennis Coalition of San Francisco's Neighborhood Rally Series on Sunday, June 28 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. This free community event features social doubles play, drills and opportunities to meet new tennis partners while exploring one of San Francisco's neighborhood courts. Players can sharpen their skills, improve their doubles strategy and enjoy an afternoon of tennis with fellow enthusiasts. Register at the link below.

Head over to Noe Valley Town Square (3861 24th Street) for its recurring night market on Tuesday, June 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. The event features local food vendors, artists, clothing merchants and junior entrepreneurs showcasing their handmade creations. For more information, including other programming at the square, click the link below.

A new public art installation is lighting up the San Francisco skyline through July 4. Created by Illuminate, "7X7" sends 49 beams of light into the sky from Civic Center Plaza (335 McAllister Street), one for each square mile of San Francisco. The installation can be seen from neighborhoods across the city and will change colors throughout its run, including rainbow displays during Pride Weekend. Our Video of the Week comes from the San Francisco Chronicle and showcase the light installation.