Local
Sunday Streets Returned To Great Highway And Golden Gate Park
By Janice Chan
Aug 29, 2010 - 1:31:31 AM

SAN FRANCISCO—On August 22, the city celebrated the return of Sunday Streets to the Great Highway, bringing back the Penguins to Penguins theme along the 4.5 mile stretch of JRK Drive inside Golden Gate Park. The penguin theme included games featuring penguins, as well as arts and crafts, and other festivities for all age groups.

Beyond the penguin theme, a wide range of activities were also offered to meet the needs of all those taking part in the event. For children the SF Bicycle Coalition offered a “Freedom from Training Wheels” course, while the YMCA of Presidio offered youth a rodeo promoting cycling safety. Free bike rentals were also made possible by Bike & Roll, Blazing Saddles and Bay City Bicycle Rentals & Tours. The Sports Basement took a booth for the day that offered minor adjustments and tune ups.

For those curious about the city’s history the Playland Not at the Beach museum presented antique games as well as pieces from the old amusement park, which ran along the coast during the turn of the century. Live music and dance performances were also held throughout the day with highlights from the West Coast Lion Dance troupe performing Chinese lion dances.

Gleeks also had their chance to win a spot on the hit TV show "Glee" courtesy of KTVU.  The Department of the Environment along with the SF Public Utilities Commission also had a booth set up showcasing tips on how to create a greener home by conserving water, recycling and composting.

Sunday Streets was made possible by a collaboration of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), Livable City, the city Recreation and Parks Department and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Each organization took charge of specific areas such as day-to-day operations, providing open spaces and arranging volunteers.

Funding and support for Sunday Streets came from organizations from both the public and private sector such as Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Kaiser Permanente, California Pacific Medical Center, Shape Up SF, Walgreens, the California Academy of Sciences, Lombardi Sports, Clif Bar and Clif Kid.

Both Mayor Newsom and Recreation and Parks Director Phil Ginsburg were proud to take part in the event as Mayor Newsom noted in a press release, “Since 2008, San Francisco has produced 14 successful Sunday Streets events to activate our neighborhoods and communities in a unique and fun way to promote healthy active lifestyles. San Francisco has produced more car-free events than any other major city.” While Ginsburg spoke about the importance of collaboration in putting together such an event, “The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is proud to partner with the SF Municipal Transportation Agency, Mayor Newsom and Livable City to present this opportunity to enjoy the newly-paved JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park and explore the many wonders of this area in a family-friendly, car-free environment.”

This event was the seventh of nine Sunday Streets held this year, with two new routes being added before the close of Sunday Streets 2010. The Western Sunday Streets will be held on September 19 and the final Sunday Streets to take place on October 24 at the Civic Center in the Tenderloin district.

To learn more about Sunday Streets and for further information please visit sundaystreetsSF.com