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Recreation and Park Commission honors departing General Manager Philip Ginsburg after 16 years
Summary
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission adopted a formal resolution recognizing Philip Ginsburg’s 16 years as general manager on Nov. 20, 2025, and commissioners, former colleagues and community members delivered tributes highlighting apprenticeship programs, major park projects and equity-focused youth sports initiatives.
San Francisco — The Recreation and Park Commission on Nov. 20 adopted a resolution honoring Philip (Phil) Ginsburg for 16 years as the department’s general manager, celebrating his leadership on capital investments, workforce development and equity-centered programming.
President Anderson opened the meeting with a resolution that credited Ginsburg with raising citywide park‑maintenance scores, helping San Francisco become the first U.S. city where everyone lives within a 10‑minute walk of a park, and spearheading programs including the gardener apprenticeship and major projects such as India Basin Waterfront Park. The resolution called out his work to raise private philanthropic support for parks and programming.
Former and current commissioners and community leaders filled the meeting room to pay tribute. Former Commissioner Mike Sullivan recalled the vetting process that led to Ginsburg’s hiring and said, “Phil, you are a mensch.” Tom Harrison and Eric McDonald emphasized the apprenticeship program and the department’s national recognition. Community advocates credited Ginsburg with backing youth sports and equity programs such as the Bay Sox and Bayview United; Annie Jupiter Jones said the girls‑baseball program grew from 12 players to more than 150 under department support.
Ginsburg used his general manager’s report to reflect on the work and to introduce Sarah Madland as the incoming general manager, calling her “a systems person” he trusts to sustain the department’s culture and programs. In his remarks he said, “I have loved this job so much, with every fiber of my being,” and highlighted staff and community partnerships as the source of the department’s successes.
Public comment during the president’s report included requests that the resolution specifically acknowledge Ginsburg’s role advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in programs such as girls’ baseball. The commission did not change the resolution on the record; commissioners and attendees later posed for a commemorative photograph and presented awards and tributes.
Next steps: the resolution was entered into the meeting record and the commission proceeded with scheduled business. No formal policy changes or budgetary actions were taken as part of the tribute.
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