Who We Are

gardener in action
Parks and Recreation employee painting a boy's face
Parks and Recreation employee demonstrating shot put to little girl
Parks and Recreation employee getting dirty on the job
Parks and Recreation employees holding "R" trophies
Instructor teaching little girl to swim

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department administers more than 230 parks, playgrounds, and open spaces, including two outside city limits— Camp Mather in Yosemite and Sharp Park in Pacifica, Calif. Our park system includes 25 recreation centers; nine swimming pools; five golf courses; 142 tennis courts; 93 pickleball courts; and numerous ball diamonds, soccer fields and other sports venues. Included in the department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo, and Lake Merced.

Our staff members are diverse, committed and talented recreation and park professionals, from gardeners, foresters, and recreation leaders to rangers, custodians, electricians, painters, and more.

Mission Statement

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s Mission is to provide enriching recreational activities, maintain beautiful parks and preserve the environment for the well-being of everyone in our diverse community.

RPD By the Numbers 

  • 4,257 acres of recreational and open space
  • 3,400+ acres within San Francisco
  • 233 neighborhood parks
  • 184 playgrounds and play areas
  • 142 tennis courts
  • 100 basketball courts
  • 98 recreation centers and clubhouses
  • 93 pickleball courts
  • 67 soccer/playfields
  • 9 swimming pools
  • 3 padel courts
  • 1 family camp

Get to Know Us

  1. General Manager
  2. Executive Staff
  3. Organizational Chart
  4. Employee Spotlight


Sarah Madland headshot

​Sarah Madland | Interim General Manager

​A seasoned public servant, Sarah Madland has worked in San Francisco government since 2001. Prior to her appointment as Interim General Manager, Sarah served as the Department's Director of Policy and Public Affairs and its second-in-command for 16 years. She spearheaded transformative and innovative park initiatives, including the conversion of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park into a lively promenade, the creation of the Love Dolores and San Francisco Children and Nature programs, and the exponential growth of volunteers supporting neighborhood parks across the city. She led public investment campaigns that injected over half a billion dollars into revitalizing City parks and helped San Francisco become the first city in the country where every resident lives within a ten-minute walk of a park.
 
At heart, Sarah is a creative problem solver who believes in building systems that make city parks more beautiful, more equitable and operate more efficiently for all San Franciscans. As Interim General Manager, she is committed to making sure every San Franciscan can enjoy safe, welcoming parks and recreation programs close to their home. A mother of three and a youth soccer coach, Sarah brings a spirit of teamwork, encouragement, and community-building to her work.​