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City parks score hits record 92%; Zoo outlines access programs amid low attendance
Summary
The controller’s parks maintenance report recorded a citywide maintenance score of 92% (all-time high) and identified 18 parks below the minimum 85% goal; the San Francisco Zoo described expanded access programs and promotions aimed at boosting historically low attendance.
The commission received the 18th annual Parks Maintenance Standards report from Rec and Park and the Controller’s Office, and an update from the San Francisco Zoo on access and attendance.
The joint parks evaluation, presented by Ben (Rec and Park) and Sarah Holbeck (controller’s office), reported a citywide average maintenance score of 92% for FY24‑25—an increase of one percentage point from the prior year and a new high. The evaluation covered more than 800 site evaluations across 170 parks and used nearly 300 objective standards.
Holbeck said about two‑thirds of parks scored above Rec and Park’s target goal of 91%, and more than a quarter scored 95% or higher. Eighteen parks (about 11% of the system) scored below the department’s minimum goal of 85%; common issues were surface and path conditions at children’s play areas and overflowing or damaged trash/recycling receptacles.
The report recommended short‑term maintenance adjustments (e.g., addressing sand levels in play areas, trash pickup frequency) and longer‑term capital scheduling changes for some parks; six of the 18 parks have improvements already slated for FY26.
Separately, San Francisco Zoo leadership described a suite of access measures and promotions to address historically low attendance: reenrolling in the Museums for All program for SNAP/EBT recipients, $5 SNAP tickets, Discover & Go library passes, monthly normalized free days and targeted marketing and programming to boost camp and member engagement.
Zoo staff said attendance is down from pre‑COVID averages (previously ~910,000 annual visits) and outlined promotional campaigns and program changes planned for early 2026.
