San Francisco Recreation & Park Department050

The SF Recreation & Park Department is huge and the source of many wonderful children's program and services, ranging from afterschool Latchkey programs to summer camps and art classes, to a multitude of sports programs, including soccer, girls' softball, swimming, tennis, and spring and summer baseball. Classes held at recreation centers throughout the city include Arts & Crafts, Dance, Drama, Swimming, and Tiny Tots and child development classes with tumbling, singing and art for children under 5 years old. The programs are different at each center; sometimes instructors are present, at other times the atmosphere is more typical of an open clubhouse where kids can drop in and work on projects. It's difficult to pin down the Rec & Park offerings. The locations, schedules, and classes change constantly depending on budget conditions, so you have to call the Department directly to find out what's available at the recreation center nearest you. The city is a big and generous sponsor. But the Department can be bureaucratic and hard to navigate if you're trying to find your child a spot on a team or in a camp. One gym teacher we know says she's learned to ply the folks there with pizza and cookies when she needs their help in organizing a sports team. For all the hassles, it's still one of the greatest resources in town. The options for kids are both plentiful and cheap - a hard combination to beat. Birthday parties can be held at many of the clubhouses throughout the city. Call the main number to find out about availability. Contact numbers:
Swimming Pools: 831.2747
Athletics: 753.7029
Camp Mather: 831.2715
City-Wide Senior Program: 666.7079
Drama, Dance, and Music: 554.9523
General Information: 831.2701
Golden Gate Park Office: 753.7264
Golf: 415.751.8987
Latch Key Program: 337.4712
Permits and Reservations: 831.5500
Photography Center: 554.9522
Playgrounds: 831.2700
Public Relations: 831.2782
Project Insight: 242.5200
Randall Museum: 554.9600
Sharon Arts Studio: 753.7004
Summer Day Camp: 666.7066
Teen Program: 337.4720
Volunteers: 753.7265
To rent buildings, picnic sites, miscellaneous facilities: 415.831.5500
To rent athletic fields: 415.831.5510
To rent a pool: 415.831.5520