September 2011
In This Issue
Mayoral Forum
Playground Match
Party For The Parks
Featured Events
RPD Update
Beginner Art Classes
View NPC's Calendar!
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Fifteen years ago, NPC was a fledgling nonprofit founded by just eight grassroots park groups under the leadership of Dr. Isabel Wade. Our vision, since inception, is the same as we hold to now: To engage citizens in improving their neighborhood parks and open space.
Today, we celebrate our many accomplishments as we look forward to an even more fruitful future. This October, NPC will embark on a new journey with the San Francisco Parks Trust to form the San Francisco Parks Alliance in order to better serve parks and park users in San Francisco. The mission of the San Francisco Parks Alliance is to inspire and promote civic engagement and philanthropy to protect, sustain, and enrich San Francisco parks and green open spaces.
As NPC breaks ground on this new endeavor, San Francisco will be gearing up for a new beginning of its own as we elect our next mayor in November. During this time of great change for our city, we hope you will continue to be part of our future successes. Your continued involvement in park stewardship will ensure San Francisco has world-class parkland for future generations.
Thank you for helping us successfully complete countless events and projects, like those listed, over the past 15 years. If you have any questions about the Parks Alliance, please contact us at feedback@sfnpc.org or 415-621-3260.
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For our parks,
Meredith Thomas |
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NPC's Mayoral Forum has finally arrived. On Monday, September 12th, NPC and its partners Walk San Francisco, San Francisco Parks Trust and Friends of the Urban Forest will host a mayoral candidate forum that focuses specifically on park, recreation and open space issues. Attend to make sure that our candidates envision a bright future for our parks!
Seats are filling quickly, so don't forget to RSVP.
We are so excited! As some of San Francisco’s neediest playgrounds are on their way for renovation, we are too close to meeting our $20,000 match that can renew or replace many more dilapidated city playgrounds.
The Mimi and Peter Haas Fund challenged us to raise funds for playgrounds that they will match, dollar for dollar! With support from donors, like you, we only have $5,000 more to raise. In order to have a prompt and real impact across the city, we are asking all who love parks and playgrounds to take advantage of this special opportunity to double your gift and your impact.
With your help, we can do it. Please send your most generous gift today!
Party For The Parks
Last year, Party for the Parks earned almost $400,000, which helped to provide clean, 
safe, and fun park experiences and recreational programming to the public. Let's carry on the success of last year onto this one!
This year's Party for the Parks will be on Friday, September, 23rd from 6:00PM-11:00PM at Golden Gate Park's Carrousel (complimentary valet parking provided).
For more information, visit partyfortheparks.org or purchase tickets here.
Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema's Screenings
Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 1st-4th
Our fiscal group, Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema, has packed the first few days of September with films for all to enjoy. The times and movies screened can be viewed on this flier. Admission is free! Just remember to bring a blanket and some popcorn. Volunteers are needed for Sept. 2nd, please contact kathybhnc@yahoo.com for more information.
West Sunset Playground & Ortega Branch Library Grand Opening
Saturday, Sept. 10th, 10:30AM
Join us and the Friends of West Sunset Playground to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Ortega Branch Library and the West Sunset Playground. Festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Day of Rememberance for 9/11
Sunday, Sept. 11th from 9:00AM-12:00PM
On the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, take the time to remember. Give your time in tribute. Serve in remembrance at one of many tribute projects throughout the Bay Area in the month of September. Volunteer for the environment by joining NPC and the Recreation and Parks Department as we tackle work in three Civic Center Parks: Patricia Green, Margaret Hayward Playground and Jefferson Square. Sign up today!
Get Back-to-school with NPC
Saturday, Sept. 17th from 9:00AM-1:00PM
Join us for our upcoming Playground Initiative event at Bernal Heights Rec. Center & Playground. With our partner, Let’s Go Chipper, we'll be hosting a community social filled with fun activities for all. For more information, please go here.
Garfield Square Workday
Saturday, Sept. 17th from 9:00AM-12:00PM
Get ready to roll up those sleeves! The workday at Garfield Square is in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services and they have a special giveway.
Saturday, September 24 from 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Join the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Service the following Saturday in Garfield Square Park for their backpack giveaway! Picnic lunch will be provided and backpacks will be available for the first 1,500 children ages 5 - 17 years old.
Blue Greenway's Coastal Clean-up Day
Saturday, Sept. 17th from 9:00AM-12:00PM
Cleanups will take place along bays, creeks, rivers, highways, and the coast throughout California. Learn more and register here.
SF DOGMA - Live In SF. Love In SF. Made in SF
Saturday, Sept. 24th from 11:00AM-3:00PM
Join us for the cutest street party in Hayes Valley. With SF SPCA and their rescue partners, learn more about your fellow companion at the "Ask A Vet" and "Ask A Trainer" booths.
Trek 12 miles and 15 peaks with Walk San Francisco
Saturday, Sept. 25 from 9:30AM-4:00PM
Discover San Francisco's hidden stairways and explore new paths by joining Walk San Francisco on their 12-mile hike. To register and learn more, please go here.
Recreation & Park Department (RPD) Update
A message from General Manager Phil Ginsburg: Capital Update
In the next few months, we’ll celebrate the completion of a number of capital projects in parks across the city, including renovations at West Sunset Playground, Sue Bierman Park, McCoppin Square and the Park Aid Station in Golden Gate Park.
Over the last ten years, our Department has delivered on over $500 million in capital projects across the city, revitalizing communities and beginning to rejuvenate an aging park system with an infrastructure that dates back to the 1950s.
Read the full RPD update here. Highlights include the full Capital Update, Camp Mather Teen Week, and Summer and Fall Programs.
Beginner Botanical Art Classes
The Mary L. Harden Scool of Botanical Art had a successful summer of classes. Examples of student work can be viewed in the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture from Sept. 1st-Dec. 30th.
Mary will be offering a beginner level class in Pencil Techniques this Fall, on Monday mornings (dates may vary) from 10:00AM-1:00PM. These classes will cover scribbling, contour drawing, drawing set-up for accuracy and individuality, stumping for tonal gradation, layout strategies, creating focus, and observational strategies.
To be added to the waitlist, please contact Mary at: maryharden@me.com.
