Recreation & Fun

Today, I met with of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. The Coalition advocates for and provides education on the benefits of biking as an alternative and green mode of transportation. Established in 1970, the Coalition partners with city agencies “to improve the overall transportation network and livability of San Francisco,” according to its web site.

Later in the day, I stopped by Kimbell Playground and watched 140 youngsters from the Western Addition participate in football practice. I met Lorraine Woodford-Long, executive director of the San Francisco Police Athletic League (SFPAL). PAL is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, a testament to its extremely successful partnership with the San Francisco Police Department, volunteers and the community. Today, PAL provides programs for boys and girls in a variety of sports, including soccer, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, judo and boxing.

BTW, the fields at Kimbell Playground are slated to be renovated under our partnership with the City Fields Foundation, who I’ve mentioned in an earlier post. The Foundation is an invaluable asset to our Department and the City as a whole. They are taking heavily-used and worn athletic fields and replacing them with beautiful, synthetic turf fields that are easy to maintain, reduce injuries and increase playing time for athletes.