Sacramento – October 3, 2024
California State Parks, Parks California, and SF Parks Alliance announce the second annual Kite By The Bay festival, which will take place at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (SRA)on October 27 from 12-4 p.m.
“Kite By The Bay is such a joyful event. When the wind is blowing, everyone has a great time, from kids coloring their own kite to enthusiasts flying truly wild kites,” said Drew Becher, CEO of SF Parks Alliance.
Kite By The Bay is a free, family-friendly event and attendees are invited to bring kites or assemble and decorate kites that will be provided. The festival will also feature a free pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, face painting, music by local DJ BeatsMe, and free food on a first come first serve basis.
“We think recreation and fun go hand-in-hand. Parks California is thrilled to be a part of this second annual kite day at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area! We love bringing community together to enjoy festivities in the parks,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, president & CEO, Parks California.
The event is part of a community-centered approach to strengthening relationships between the state park and the surrounding neighborhood. A number of community groups will have tables at the event to provide resources to attendees.
“A skyful of colorful kites created by community members frolicking to the family-friendly beats of a local DJ—what could be more joyful? I’m counting down the days!” said Lisa Whitmer, community engagement specialist for California State Parks.
About Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
Located in the southeastern corner of San Francisco, Candlestick Point SRAis a tapestry of grassy uplands, coastal salt marsh, intertidal mudflats, and pocket beaches where community members gather to fish, barbeque, exercise, ride bikes, kayak, windsurf, and find respite from the bustle of city life. It was established as California’s first urban park after many years of community organizing by Bayview Hunters Point residents who wanted to reclaim the land from junkyards that covered the shoreline. Their lobbying efforts gained the support of state Assemblymen Willie Brown and Art Agnos who passed legislation to ensure the park’s creation. Claude Everhart, Agnos’s Chief of Staff, actively involved neighborhood residents in the park’s planning and raised over $1 million from local businesses to build the initial infrastructure. Truly a people’s park, Candlestick Point SRA is often referred to as a “hidden gem” – one that is home to hawks, herons, ground squirrels, and jackrabbits which bathe in sunshine when much of the city is blanketed in fog.
California is home to the highest quality park system in the world. There are 280 State Park units, ranging from urban parks in the heart of our cities, to beaches along our iconic coast, to historic parks celebrating the ingenuity of humanity, to redwood groves and desert expanses. Parks California is based on a new model for public, private, and nonprofit partnership, with our strength realized through statewide collaboration working together to solve complex problems more efficiently and effectively to create long term solutions. As California State Parks’ statutory partner, we have a simple mission — to help strengthen parks and inspire all to experience these extraordinary places. For more information, visit https://parkscalifornia.org.
About San Francisco Parks Alliance
SF Parks Alliance is San Francisco’s only citywide parks nonprofit. For over 50 years, we’ve been partnering closely with communities and public agencies to create, sustain, and advocate for parks and public spaces across the city. We believe that everyone deserves access to safe and welcoming community spaces, regardless of where they live in San Francisco.
CONTACT
Elizabeth Kubey
Parks California
media@parkscalifornia.org
Jake Ramirez
Associate Director, Marketing
San Francisco Parks Alliance
media@sfparksalliance.org
