Celebrating 150 Years of Golden Gate Park, Virtually — Episode 063

The year was 1870. It was only five years after the end of the
Civil War, and it was the year that the California legislature
proclaimed the inception of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
This iconic park is affectionately known to San Franciscans as
“Everybody’s Park,” and 150 years later, it is celebrating its
sesquicentennial.


We originally recorded today’s episode a few months ago with Phil
Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and
Park Department, to talk about all the things that were planned
in celebration of Golden Gate Park’s 150th birthday, which took
place on April 4.


When we recorded that interview, no one could have predicted that
things would look the way they do now with the spread of the
COVID-19 pandemic. With Californians — along with most of the
country — being asked to stay home and not gather in large groups
to slow the spread, among other precautions, Phil and his team
had to get creative in order to allow people to still be able to
celebrate this monumental event.


Today’s episode starts off with the first part of our original
interview, as Phil talks about the history of Golden Gate Park
and some of the things that make it so special and unique.
Fortunately, we were able to talk with Phil again yesterday to
get an update on the celebration and how people can join in and
pay tribute to this historic event, which you’ll hear in the last
half of the episode.


To kick off the celebration starting on April 4, the San
Francisco Recreation and Park Department launched a virtual
concert series that will bring some of the historic past outdoor
concerts and performances held in the park to people everywhere
to enjoy for free. New concerts will be available to view every
week throughout the year at the Virtual Golden Gate Park, and the
first performance was a Boz Scaggs concert from 2016. The San
Francisco-based rock band, Metallica, even sent a special
birthday message to the park.


Besides the legendary virtual concerts, the celebration’s website
will continue to be updated with ways people can celebrate,
including virtual tours, downloadable coloring books and more.


Please join us in wishing Golden Gate Park a Happy 150th
Birthday!


Other resources related to this episode:


Golden Gate 150 Website

Celebrating 150 years of Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park’s 150th Birthday Party Dampened But Not
Eclipsed By COVID-19

Golden Gate Park 150th Birthday celebration goes online
during COVID-19 pandemic

Here’s How To Virtually Celebrate San Francisco’s Golden Gate
Park’s 150th Birthday Today