San Francisco Recreation and Park Department

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department manages more than 230 parks, including Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower and Dolores Park

[San Francisco Zoo & Gardens @sfzoo]

For the first time, San Francisco garter snakes, raised through a collaborative head-starting conservation program, have been released into the wild, marking a major milestone in a decades-long effort to bring one of the region’s most endangered – and most beautiful – reptiles back from the brink of extinction. The vibrantly colorful San Francisco garter snake is found only in San Mateo County and a small portion of Santa Cruz County, and nowhere else on earth.

This week, we joined our conservation partners — Midpeninsula Regional Open Space, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service/Golden Gate National Recreation Area, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and San Francisco Recreation and Park Department — to announce the successful rearing and release of 62 young San Francisco garter snakes into multiple sites in San Mateo County.

All 62 snakes were born to wild, gravid females collected last year and were hand-reared at the Zoo until they were big enough to better withstand the challenges of life in the wild. This head-starting approach gives the young snakes a higher likelihood of surviving post-release, helping to support the recover of populations where numbers and genetic diversity have declined.

Together, the partners combined scientific research, habitat protection and restoration and hands-on animal care to help secure a future for this remarkable species.  The species was among the first protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and also appeared on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s first endangered species list in 1967. Nearly 60 years later, only a couple thousand individuals are estimated to remain in the wild.
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This project represents the first successful head-starting program for San Francisco garter snakes. To celebrate the successful releases that took place this fall, partner biologists and representatives gathered at the Zoo to see the next generation of head-started snakes: 130 were born at the Zoo this past July and will be released into the wild in 2027. The long term goal of the program is to build healthy, genetically diverse, resilient populations so that ultimately, the species can recover to the point where it can be removed from the endangered species list

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

The upper playground at Potrero Hill Rec Center (801 Arkansas Street) has reopened after crews resurfaced the play area & repaired playground equipment. Be sure to stop by & enjoy the refreshed play area before the rain!

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

The opening follows Rec & Park’s renovation of the café, which added a kitchen for on-site cooking. The improvements were supported by grant funding from @CAGoBiz. Details here: https://t.co/4TrMfMZeBV

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

Looking to grab lunch this Veterans Day? Head to the new @SuperDuperSF on the east side of @UnionSquareSF (Stockton Street between Post & Geary streets). The restaurant serves burgers, fries & shakes daily from 10AM-9PM, with indoor & outdoor seating.

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

Mayor @DanielLurie & Supervisor @DannySauter joined other city leaders & burger lovers for yesterday’s ribbon cutting, where guests sampled signature fare from the SF-born burger chain.

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

Veterans & active-duty service members also receive free general admission year-round to all 3 @GardensofGGP: the @SFConservatory, @JapaneseTGarden & @SFBGS. Check admission details & hours here: https://t.co/735GSqTUvu

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

This Veterans Day, Rec & Park thanks all who have served in the U.S. armed forces, including veterans on our staff & in neighborhoods across SF. We’re grateful for your service. Today, 11/11, military veterans with a valid ID receive free daytime admission to the @sfzoo.

[City and County of San Francisco @sfgov]

🇺🇸 This Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. To all veterans, thank you for your courage, sacrifice, and dedication. We are grateful for your service today and every day.

@sfgov celebrates you! ❤️🤍💙

[Daniel Lurie 丹尼爾·羅偉 @DanielLurie]

Super Duper is now open in Union Square! The cafe spot on the east side of the square has been upgraded into a full-service restaurant, thanks in part to state funding, allowing for Super Duper to serve burgers, fries, and shakes. Our Recreation and Park’s Department selected Super Duper to bring new energy to this space and give visitors another reason to spend time in Union Square.

We’re bringing new activity downtown and creating welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy. Come by to grab food on your next visit.

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

Special thanks to our park services team for keeping this neighborhood gem beautiful & welcoming. Learn more about the park here: https://t.co/59X43W5dOT

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

Ina Coolbrith Park in Russian Hill has been named a 2026 Best of the Bay Editors’ Pick by @48hills. Named after California’s first poet laureate, the park features terraced gardens, sweeping views of North Beach, downtown & the Bay Bridge, & occasional sightings of SF’s parrots.

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

Enjoy free samples from noon-12:30PM, while supplies last, followed by remarks & a ribbon cutting at 12:30PM. The restaurant will open to the public after the ceremony.

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

Join Rec & Park & its partners on Tuesday, 11/10, to celebrate the grand opening of @SuperDuperSF at Union Square’s east café (Stockton Street between Post & Geary streets). Learn more about the new café here: https://t.co/hAWqoMcrQh

[KQED News @KQEDnews]

Five of the city’s parks are set to receive the first half of the money as early as this year.
https://t.co/mkpVrYAUeG

[KRON4 News @kron4news]

At a news conference Monday announcing the nine-figure commitment, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said, “I think with the rise of social media and the rise of us spending more time on devices, one of my concerns is people not spending enough time in the real world, with real people.” https://t.co/L6EpF15ZAE

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

It'd also help renovate Jackson Playground & unite Embarcadero Plaza & Sue Bierman Park. The remaining $61 million will support projects to be identified over the next year. Thank you, @bchesky, for giving the next generation of San Franciscans more places to play, gather & grow!

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

Mayor @DanielLurie today announced a $100 million commitment from Airbnb co-founder & CEO Brian Chesky to SF’s parks, the largest single-donor gift in city history. Learn more here: https://t.co/kKHM3scqO3

[San Francisco Recreation and Park Department @RecParkSF]

Pending city approval, the first $39 million would help improve open space & expand programming across 5 parks. It'd bring Rachele Sullivan Park to SoMa 3 years early, open Garfield Pool on Sundays, & help finish construction & support programming at India Basin Waterfront Park.

[Daniel Lurie 丹尼爾·羅偉 @DanielLurie]

Today, I stood with Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky to announce his $100 million gift to San Francisco’s parks. This is the largest single-donor gift to the city in San Francisco’s history, and will support the development of new parks, upgrades to existing spaces, expanded hours at recreation facilities, and much more. 

An initial $39 million will help unlock five projects in neighborhoods across our city. SoMa, the Mission, Bayview-Hunters Point, Potrero Hill, and downtown will all see transformational projects finish sooner, bringing more welcoming public spaces to residents across San Francisco. 

As Mayor, one of my top priorities is making San Francisco a city where families can put down roots and build their futures. Earlier this year, we launched our Family Opportunity Agenda—a citywide effort to bring down the cost of living and expand economic mobility for San Francisco families. 

We're building more housing, protecting tenants, expanding access to affordable childcare, and keeping public transportation safe, reliable, and affordable. We're also investing in the public spaces families rely on every day. 

Our parks are an essential part of what makes San Francisco such a special place to raise a family. Our recreation programs provide exceptional and affordable opportunities for San Francisco families. With this investment, we're bringing those opportunities to more neighborhoods across our city, expanding access to recreation, and making our parks even better for the families who use them. 

San Francisco has created enormous opportunity for the people who have built their businesses here. And with that success comes a responsibility to give back to the city that helped make it possible. So, my ask to every leader who sees what Brian has done today is simple: help us create more opportunities for the people who call San Francisco home. Now is the time. Our city is coming back. Don’t just watch it from the sidelines. Be a part of it.

[San Francisco Chronicle @sfchronicle]

Mayor Daniel Lurie’s administration says it will be the largest contribution the city has ever received from a single donor. https://t.co/2XlKybCXBY