San Francisco is home to some of the best and most beautiful green spaces.
Golden Gate Park alone offers San Franciscans an unforgettable 1,017 acres of pure natural beauty. And now, low income families will be able to access beautiful Golden Gate Park gardens totally free!
Mayor Breed announced in a press release last Friday that low income families will be granted free access to three gardens in the park including the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, and the Japanese Tea Garden.
The free admission will be year-round and is meant to assist visitors who are receiving government food assistance benefits. The program applies to residents and non-residents alike. To receive free admission for up to four people, residents just have to show their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card or Medi-Cal card and proof of San Francisco residency.
Non-residents who are enrolled in CalFresh or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can also gain free admission by presenting their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card.
While some parts of the park are already free, certain areas like the gardens can reach nearly $40 for a family of four, which can be prohibitive for some local families. This program serves as a way to make these enriching cultural and educational experiences available to everyone.
“Access to nature is more important than ever and Golden Gate Park in particular has been an oasis for so many of us during COVID-19,” said Mayor Breed in a press release. “All San Franciscans, regardless of their income, should have access to the art and cultural institutions that our city has to offer.”
The free access to the gardens is a product of the three institutions joining Museums for All, whose mission is to break down the barriers some families face in getting exposure to cultural education programming.
[Featured image: San Francisco Botanical Garden]