[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6682921,"mediaKeyId","2366599-d9aff8ef4a3bb1bb1214b55c47d0a4b4","parentId",2366599,"title","Rec and Park forwards 2025–27 budget proposal that includes golf management RFQ, paid parking and program fees","audioSeconds",847,"startMs",3813000,"endMs",4660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2366599-d9aff8ef4a3bb1bb1214b55c47d0a4b4&start=3813&end=4660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2366599-d9aff8ef4a3bb1bb1214b55c47d0a4b4/thumbnail_3813000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6682921/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Rec-and-Park-forwards-202527-budget-proposal-that-includes-golf-management-RFQ-paid-parking-and-program-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682921-271603f4dd14e6906c26e726c0f1f113/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192738&Signature=DethN8tSDzivgYdN9658hgszS62894xCV55cciNxCjvJTCNoXAWArmkbq~HKCnUP-HlI-oiiewqz9qmHWO2hnbdgb8x~ZLTRBBCPcPsloyhjxLcf3NI30P8os~D60okEYhOn~TUOWVuk8OfRK5pdgqDPU~Z8u6cGgBQHsQ16aXd09NptWAIoqd4A6ulKTpBxi1KQEBOsmsPKyG0aMLhCyeidQTfjEK6eAZdAuWd8CXQ2fvs36AxXVJxCfTEv1teawsUPJ1Q8-e5R3Yxols6bY44YpZ6798-hop6wiW0zZYJlfgWTaztwr14SaLrFAGf~hqamtMN2Y0~InOhLQfzW8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-02-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Recreation and Park Department presented its proposed operating budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 at the commission meeting Feb. 20 and the commission approved forwarding the proposal to the mayor's office for consideration.

Antonio Guerra, the department's director of administration and finance, said the department faces a structural deficit that the proposal tries to address through a mix of new revenue, revised cost-recovery policies and efficiencies. Year‑one shortfalls were framed as manageable but the department projects a roughly $15 million gap in year two if new revenue is not realized. Guerra told the commission the department sought to balance protecting core services while identifying possible revenue streams and cost savings.

Key initiatives in the proposal include: a codified scholarships program and a tiered cost‑recovery model for recreation programs (estimated additional revenue of about $600,000 in year one and $1.2 million in year two); a $5-per-hour court reservation fee for tennis/pickleball courts (estimated $1 million); an RFQ/RFP process for golf course operations intended to reduce the department's general‑fund subsidy for golf (the budget assumes a roughly $6 million reduction in subsidy in year two); and a plan for paid parking in Golden Gate Park (the budget assumes net parking revenue of roughly $1.2 million in year one and $9.2 million in year two if implemented).

Guerra also identified potential capital and maintenance requests: roughly $15 million in year one and $15.5 million in year two to address playgrounds, courts, forestry and field replacement, plus investments in fleet replacement and security cameras. The department emphasized that interdepartmental service costs and personnel pay growth have outpaced its general‑fund support in recent years, creating structural pressure.

Public commenters and stakeholder representatives focused heavily on golf and skate facilities. Richard Harris, president of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, urged caution about a rapid elimination of the golf subsidy and asked that any reduction be conditional on new management agreements. Several other golfers and golf‑course advocates — including presidents or representatives from municipal golf clubs — spoke in favor of long‑term operator agreements rather than abrupt subsidy cuts and stressed the need to pair any fee increases with course improvements.

Skate advocates and community groups urged the commission and department to invest in and audit skate facilities and small‑wheeled access, saying supply drives demand and that more skate facilities could increase city recreation participation and revenue. Community members also asked the department to consider activating underused park assets such as pools, stadiums and fields to generate revenue and programmatic opportunities.

Guerra and General Manager Phil Ginsburg warned commissioners that if additional revenue is not realized, the department could face service reductions in year two, including reduced park‑cleaning frequency, elimination of restroom monitors and gardener apprenticeships, reduced recreation facility hours (from 60 to 40 hours per week in some locations), rotating pool closures, reduced park ranger coverage and a growing deferred‑maintenance backlog.

The commission voted to forward the budget proposal pursuant to the agenda language; commissioners expressed concern about impacts to staff and services but supported sending the package to the mayor's office for further review and negotiation. The budget will proceed through the city's budget calendar, including the controller's joint report in March, mayoral submission in June and subsequent oversight by the Board of Supervisors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player - Feb 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Recreation and Park Department presented a two‑year budget proposal Feb. 20 that includes revenue and efficiency measures — an RFQ for golf-course operations, a court reservation fee, a scholarships/cost‑recovery model and paid parking in Golden Gate Park — and the commission voted to forward the package to the mayor's office.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6682924,"Recreation and Park Commission renames Waller Street skate plaza for local skater Zion W. Gaines",1460,2332000,3792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2366599-d9aff8ef4a3bb1bb1214b55c47d0a4b4&start=2332&end=3792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2366599-d9aff8ef4a3bb1bb1214b55c47d0a4b4/thumbnail_2332000.jpg","/articles/6682924/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Recreation-and-Park-Commission-renames-Waller-Street-skate-plaza-for-local-skater-Zion-W-Gaines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682924-e6c9418950c9feae1c7b809c14c9891f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192738&Signature=EC-M7VlxWZjJGkpnRHAF1iCsXI-kvP8zH9i6SVqzEb0LOVyb11v-oHOafV2yXbZm6Fe-mV4YeES8yo3XYLax8ojGk7M9Q5x5bcPUzGc8HKQJrc3u4Ey95c40xLuSoFoLtx0w3jJaRy-NLWKgrqbqan-vjF7fzDpCcpNzMTTu1qALoL15qKHi0GTsqNYw98IbE15a11HVqH9sDadf~Q7OQLO3OUzOiKNmRv91EoI3fyxVnSU6IX94LgVUCqLKhQlX5OW-hrZr4llEceRDPtGqrSNaEsoaXDtdSJjxLJZEIAIDDPsBKbXXf~c0cmn14reMaS2PI-Ue5EuOJK6YI746Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission voted Feb. 20 to rename the Waller Street skate plaza on Stanyan Street to Zion Skate Plaza and authorized the department general manager to approve wording and placement of a commemorative plaque honoring Zion W. Gaines.

The change recognizes Gaines, a skater and community organizer who co-founded Friends of Waller to keep the skate plaza safe and inclusive, department staff said. Beverly Ng of the Recreation and Parks Department presented the proposal and said the name would \"recognize Zion's amazing contribution to the skateboarding community in San Francisco.\" (Beverly Ng, Recreation and Parks Department.)

The proposal drew several family members and community supporters who described Gaines's local work. Betty — identified in the meeting as Gaines's grandmother — told the commission he \"was gentle, he was kind, he was loving\" and thanked the commission for honoring him. Liz Jackson Simpson, chief executive officer of Success Centers, described Gaines as \"an incredible skateboarder\" who mentored young people and led community drives; Natalie Foyer, identified as his aunt, described his longtime community giving, including backpack and food giveaways.

Commissioners praised the community process and the department's work. Commissioner Hallasey noted the operations committee had reviewed the item Feb. 6 and that the naming had broad community support; Commissioner Mazzola called the renaming \"a no-brainer\" and said the plaza reflected what Gaines embodied. President Anderson read the calendar item and called for a motion.

The commission voted to approve the renaming and to authorize the general manager to finalize the plaque's wording and location. Commissioners present voiced unanimous support and the chair announced the motion passed without opposition.

Department staff said a commemorative plaque will be installed to record Gaines's biography and contributions; the department will coordinate details with the family and community partners. Family members and community organizations said they plan to continue events at the plaza in Gaines's name.","The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission voted Feb. 20 to rename the Waller Street skate plaza on Stanyan Street to Zion Skate Plaza, honoring Zion W. Gaines and authorizing a commemorative plaque. Family members, community groups and commissioners spoke in support before the unanimous vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6682917,"San Francisco Zoo reports Penguin roundup, new endangered species and revived education programs",335,1970000,2305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2366599-d9aff8ef4a3bb1bb1214b55c47d0a4b4&start=1970&end=2305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2366599-d9aff8ef4a3bb1bb1214b55c47d0a4b4/thumbnail_1970000.jpg","/articles/6682917/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/San-Francisco-Zoo-reports-Penguin-roundup-new-endangered-species-and-revived-education-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682917-bf93a3c6b3599c5471d440253c60de75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192738&Signature=esxZkmEfu7-8PD8yDR55wn2wmFv-8kX3hvF5ERx8lXpbEin26KbZD2xUC1V~xgVnQZ-M1nqaYGYIqBPzYgqfgbzkxNI3V0mHk6XsPaou3mBkImm-X4oWarhZ6aCAE8MibPFL1Msf1lDvsNHFvt91RzP8AoO9JeGbP0pczajC7rix-oXKPEuiY4dzhMH~FTDJpH9mt8TkXAVqIwY3dvkYOQcChfZ7D6mQURgBE4uIpLqB1qEM59UJUGjRZz4TUcvIVgl6V0x14o7~13i2l63fi7-M4LJtPbLA6BQo2MUrd6BzTOHV~POKXweHsl13f2KmVJQ7zy2tLYMsezBb4-4upw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ingrid Russell, a member of the San Francisco Zoo's conservation and wellness department, briefed the Recreation and Park Commission Feb. 20 on the zoo's recent programs and animal care work, including a penguin health roundup and several new arrivals of endangered animals.

Russell said the zoo hosted Lunar New Year performances and a free day for Chinatown residents. The zoo also relaunched its Little Learners program, offering live, early‑childhood sessions via Zoom, and held an adults‑only \"WOO at the Zoo\" event exploring mating and breeding behaviors.

The annual Penguin roundup gave veterinary staff a chance to examine all 51 Magellanic penguins in the collection. Russell said each bird received a body‑condition assessment, eye and foot checks, weight measurements, nail and beak trims as needed, and vaccination against West Nile virus; staff also scanned birds for ingested metal objects found in exhibit pools.

On conservation, Russell said the zoo welcomed 26‑year‑old Western Santa Cruz giant tortoises — a Galápagos species that is critically endangered — as well as a red‑fronted macaw and two yellow‑naped Amazon parrots, all part of the zoo's ongoing endangered‑species work. She said the zoo's education and live‑stream offerings have drawn renewed interest, with more than 160 signups for the relaunched Little Learners series.

Russell closed by thanking partner organizations and noting that the zoo's public programs aim to connect diverse communities to conservation work.","San Francisco Zoo staff told the Recreation and Park Commission Feb. 20 about Lunar New Year events, a relaunch of the Little Learners program, the annual penguin health roundup and recent arrivals of several endangered species.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rec and Park forwards 2025–27 budget proposal that includes golf management RFQ, paid parking and program fees

Recreation and Park Commission renames Waller Street skate plaza for local skater Zion W. Gaines

San Francisco Zoo reports Penguin roundup, new endangered species and revived education programs