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Golden Gate Park is Getting a “Golden Mile” in Fall 2022

JFK Drive’s getting 12 large-scale street murals, pop-up music venues, outdoor pianos, ping pong tables, climbing walls, iconic Doggie Diner heads, and a beer garden
By - posted 9/20/2022 No Comment

After much controversy and debate (there were nine hours of non-stop public comment during the Board of Supervisors meeting), JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park was recently officially declared permanently “car-free.”

The next task is to try to turn the roadway into a vibrant “Golden Mile.”

Starting this week, and building up slowly over the next few months, plans are to create 12 large-scale street murals, add tons of chairs and new social gathering areas, two new inviting “promenade” entrances, pop-up music venues, outdoor pianos, ping pong tables, climbing walls, an up-close art installation of the iconic Doggie Diner heads and possibly even a small beer & wine garden.

Promenade Play Days is a series of free installations and events appearing on the JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park over the next several months, and is part of a larger effort by Rec and Park and SFMTA to ensure safe, equitable access to Golden Gate Park. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors in April voted to keep a portion of the park’s main drag, John. F. Kennedy Drive, as a car-free promenade.

  • Paint the Promenade by Paint the Void
    Local artists will create a diverse array of street murals along the JFK route
  • Doggie Diner Heads
    Iconic Doggie Diner heads will be installed along JFK Drive between Conservatory Drive West and 6th Avenue
  • Public Pianos
    Inspired by the SF Botanical Gardens’ Flower Piano, these public pianos, located on JFK at Conservatory Drive West, and JFK between Stow Lake Drive and East 14th Avenue, will be there for everyone to play
  • Live Music Performances
    A regular schedule of free, live music performances at two locations, JFK and Nancy Pelosi Drive, and 14th Avenue Playground, along with open mic opportunities for buskers
  • 100 Chairs
    Chairs for socializing and relaxing
  • Fun, Food and Fright
    Additional activations and events along the Promenade
  • Enhanced Promenade Entrances
    Rec and Park will enhance entrances to the Promenade (JFK at Kezar Drive and JFK at 8th Avenue) by installing vibrant colors on the pavement and adding tables, chairs and trees
  • Climbing Wall, Skating and Games
    Rec and Park’s mobile rec program will offer a climbing wall and skating elements, and visitors can also enjoy games like ping pong and cornhole
  • Bookmobile
    The San Francisco Public Library’s Bookmobile will bring diverse library materials and fun and engaging programs to the Promenade
  • Food Trucks
    Rec and Park is working with local food trucks to expand current offerings along the Promenade and is also exploring the possibility of a small beer and wine garden
  • Halloween Haunt on JFK
    A free Halloween event on October 28 where visitors of all ages can enjoy decorations and attractions along the Promenade

It’s all a grand experiment to see what people like, what people use (and to learn, of course, what causes the fewest complaints).
Ongoing starting week of September 19, JFK Dr. btwn Kezar Dr. and Transverse Dr., S.F., Free. sfrecpark.org

Read more about the JFK Promenade.