SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A proposal to put on a series of outdoor concerts in the Golden Gate Park Polo Fields and downtown plazas has been updated to include key benefits: free Muni rides for concertgoers and additional funding for community interests in the Sunset and Richmond districts, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today.
Another Planet Entertainment’s permit request before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors includes two to three ticketed concerts in Golden Gate Park’s Polo Fields for three years starting in 2024. Also included in the proposal are free downtown concerts in which APE would bring a musical act to Civic Center Plaza, Union Square and Embarcadero annually for the same three years.
Concert producers have now committed to funding free Muni rides to and from the Polo Field for those attending the concerts, which will be held in August the weekend after Outside Lands.
APE, which produces the annual Outside Lands festival in Golden Gate Park, already provides $25,000 a year to both District 1 and District 4 for neighborhood-specific projects and programs. If the permit is approved, it will increase these community funds by $10,000 per neighborhood.
While APE produces Outside Lands, the additional summer concerts in the Polo Fields would be separate, smaller, headliner-focused events. They would use a portion of the Outside Lands festival’s infrastructure to minimize impact on the park. The City’s permit fees, $1.4 million for a two-day event and $2.1 million for a three-day event, would allow the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to continue to offer programming to children, adults, and seniors across the City and care for its facilities. The City currently faces a two-year budget deficit of $780 million.
The downtown concerts were included in the proposal after some supervisors also requested APE hold concerts in the eastern part of the City. Transforming downtown into a leading arts, culture, and nightlife destination is one of the strategies of Mayor Breed’s Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future plan, which aims to transform downtown into a stronger, resilient, economic and global destination.
“Parks are for fun and concerts in a park are at the top of the fun meter. I’m glad we’re able to bring more park concerts to San Francisco because our city needs as much joy as it can get as we work to address the serious issues we face,” said Supervisor Joel Engardio, who represents the Sunset neighborhoods adjacent to Golden Gate Park in District 4. “I understand the concerts bring disruptions to the residents near the park, which is why I’m glad concert producers are providing additional community benefits to offset inconveniences and improve public transportation to and from the concerts. This is an example of how to create our best San Francisco.”
“Experiencing live music in San Francisco’s world renowned parks and iconic public plazas is already incredible, and this makes it even better,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “Thank you to Supervisor Engardio for his investment in public transportation and advocacy on behalf of the community in his district, as well as Another Planet Entertainment, who have been thoughtful and responsive partners and always put on top tier events.”
“Outdoor events are a great way for people to get out and enjoy the amazing public spaces the city has to offer,” said San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin. “We look forward to partnering with Rec and Park and providing the many accessible Muni lines that can quickly get concert goers to and from Golden Gate Park.”
“As we recover from the pandemic, culture and entertainment are a key to bringing more people to San Francisco. Another Planet Entertainment's proposal for additional activations in both Golden Gate Park and downtown stand as a testament to the resilience of San Francisco as we work to rekindle our city's magnetic appeal through unforgettable experiences and a vibrant cultural revival,” said San Francisco Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rodney Fong.
Supervisors are tentatively scheduled to hear the concert proposals June 22.
APE has partnered with the City for 15 years on Outside Lands. The festival has injected over a billion dollars into San Francisco’s economy since its inception.
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