Hello Park People,

Thank you to all who indulged our request to write a love letter to your park. Now more than ever, we need to make a point of gathering the good stories and joy parks bring to our lives. I hope you will take a moment to read our Recreation and Park Budget update below. Beyond the revenue generation and expenditure cuts are some really important proposed changes to the structure of recreation and the development of a Gardener Apprentice Program, both of which could be vital components of creating a healthier park system.

Lastly, I would like to direct your attention to our in-progress 2010 Playground Report Card. This assessment tool, part of our Playground Initiative, allows us to focus our advocacy and community building around the most dilapidated play structures in our parks. I am certain that the positive results from the 2000 Parks Bond and other capital investments will be captured in this survey though many more play spaces need our help.  As you will see in our fundraising spotlight, we have a challenge grant to raise $15,000 in support of our Playground Initiative. I hope you will consider supporting our efforts. Every dollar you give will be matched by generous support from the Mimi and Peter Haas Fund. Stay tuned for more ways to help.

Thank you for loving our parks,

--Meredith Thomas, Executive Director

A lovely campaign to celebrate parks

Launched in February, the Love Letters to Parks campaign helped San Franciscans celebrate our city's wonderful parks during the Valentine's holiday. Over 100 people came to Dolores Park for a kick off event on Valentine's Day, February 14th, to partake in the festivities and write their own love letter to their special park. Over 20 letters were submitted, and have been published on the campaign's website.

There's still time to submit your letter! Please send all submissions (including photos) to loveletters@sfnpc.org. Also, be sure to check out Mission Local's video of our Valentine's Day kickoff event by clicking here.

NPC's Playground Challenge

Imagine this. Your child’s playground is clean, safe and beautiful. There are no foreign objects in the sand, the swings don’t have missing chains and you are not afraid to take your children to the park anymore. All children deserve a safe and enjoyable place to play.

NPC’s Playground Initiative works with the community to improve unsafe playgrounds by hosting clean-up days and events. With the help of the Recreation and Park Department and local volunteers, the Playground Initiative surveys all the playgrounds in the city to raise awareness on specific parks in need. The 2010 Report Card will be published this spring.

Today we're facing the kind of challenge we like. A generous grant from Mimi and Peter Haas Fund will match your gift dollar-for-dollar between now and April 31st. Our Playground Challenge goal is $15,000.

Help us provide 365 days of services around the City - one day at a time - by supporting a playground. 

$100 will ensure each playground in San Francisco is evaluated for safety hazards and prioritized for any needed repairs

Remember, your gift will qualify for the match and double in value between now and the April 31st, so please give as generously as you can. 

Please contact us at donate@sfnpc.org with any questions. Donate by clicking below:

RPD Budget Process Update: Important Innovation and Tough Choices

Now that the Recreation and Park Commission has approved the Department’s plan for accommodating the 30% reduction ($12.4 million) in support from the City’s General Fund, the lengthy process begins for the Mayor’s Office and Board of Supervisors to build out San Francisco’s Budget. Over the next several months, the City will be working to tackle and immense budget shortfall of more than $450 Million, and their choices will affect parks. NPC will be engaging in this process and keeping you in the loop. 

The good news is that there are a number of innovative solutions proposed by the Recreation and Park Department (RPD) to deal both with the budget shortfall and to change the way that RPD operates for the better. 

Discussing India Basin's Future

The India Basin Neighborhood Association has crafted a Community Vision for their neighborhood, which includes some interesting ideas about open space. Check out their presentation about this vision here. You can also join the group on a walking tour of the neighborhood. Click here to find out more.