Doggie Diner Heads And Ground Murals Have Arrived At JFK Promenade
Promenade Play Days will bring free public art, performances, activities, games, and more to the JFK Promenade during the coming months.
SF Rec & Parks has announced Promenade Play Days, a series of exciting events and public art along JFK Promenade during the fall months. The activations are part of an effort to capitalize on the promenade’s newly car-free state in a safe and equitable way.
The Golden Mile Project
Promenade Play Days will dress up the promenade with the Golden Mile Project, with help from SF nonprofit Illuminate. You can expect to see park entrances enhanced with extra colorful features, chairs, tables, trees, and live music. Here’s what to look out for.
Paint the Promenade: Local artists from Paint the Void will bring at least twelve vibrant ground murals to the JFK Promenade in collaboration with community groups.
Doggie Diner Heads: Discover a series of Doggie Diner head sculptures installed throughout the promenade in an ode to the famous fast food chain that operated in San Francisco from 1948-1986. The last such diner head is still up in San Francisco at the corner of Sloat Blvd and 45th Ave, but this temporary display will be visible along JFK Drive between Conservatory Drive West and 6th Ave.
Public Pianos (coming September 19): SF Botanical Garden’s September Flower Piano series inspired SF Rec & Parks to install two public pianos along JFK Drive at Conservatory Drive West and between Stow Lake Drive and East 14th Ave. They’ll be free for anyone to play.
100 chairs: SF Rec & Parks will install over 100 chairs for lounging and relaxing along the promenade.
More events and attractions
Live music performances: Catch free, live musical performances on JFK Drive at Nancy Pelosi Drive and the 14th Avenue Playground. Not to mention plenty of opportunities for buskers.
Climbing wall, skating, and games: The parks department’s mobile rec program will be out in full force with a climbing wall, skating elements, corn hole, and ping pong.
Bookmobile: SF Public Library’s Bookmobile will give parkgoers an opportunity to pick up their next great read.
Food trucks: Browse a rotating selection of local food trucks along JFK Drive, schedule TBD. A beer and wine garden is also a possibility, so stay tuned.
Halloween Haunt: A free family-friendly Halloween event on October 28 with decorations and seasonal attractions.
Annual tree lighting and holiday events: Starting December 1.
“We want to ensure that when people arrive, they are greeted by a vibrant, welcoming Promenade,” said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “We are experimenting with temporary installations involving art, food, social seating and interactive elements to see what fits best and elicits positive feedback from park users. The goal is to create the kind of dynamic public space that improves lives and strengthens communities.”
Be sure to take a stroll down JFK Drive this fall for a great day in Golden Gate Park!