FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 15, 2014 

Contact: Connie Chan, SF Rec and Park 

415-895-0689, connie.chan@sfgov.org 

Mindy Linetzky, SF Public Works 

415-554-4829, mindy.linetzky@sfdpw.org

SF Volunteers to Give McLaren Park a Giant Sweep 

SF Rec & Parks and Public Works join forces to beautify SF’s natural area

SAN FRANCISCO -- Under Mayor Edwin M. Lee’s leadership, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (SF Rec and Park), and San Francisco Public Works have joined forces with the World Champion San Francisco Giants, fellow city agencies, residents, businesses, community groups and schools in the Giant Sweep campaign, an anti-litter campaign. The goal: create a culture of clean across the City, including in City’s parks and natural areas.

The upcoming Giant Sweep will take place at McLaren Park on Saturday, August 16, 2014. Kickoff will be at 9:00AM at Louis Sutter Playground located at Wayland and University streets. The event will include park beautification projects followed by a picnic lunch. RSVP at recparkvolunteer@sfgov.org.

McLaren Park is San Francisco’s second-largest park. In addition to playgrounds, picnic areas and game courts, there is the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, a golf course, McNab Lake and the renovated Coffman Pool. There is an immense natural area of scenic meadows, grassland and wetland habitat. More than 7 miles of walking trails meander through its 312 acres, replete with native plants and wildlife. Established in 1927, the park is named for John McLaren, the ‘grandfather of Golden Gate Park.’

“SF Rec and Park is proud to be part of the Giant Sweep campaign,” said Phil Ginsburg, SF Rec and Park General Manager. “We want to encourage our park users to respect and care for each other by leaving a clean space for one another to enjoy.”

“Giant Sweep brings the community and City agencies together to clean and green our neighborhoods,” said Public Works Deputy Director for Operations Larry Stringer. “McLaren Park is an undiscovered City gem. It will be a joy to spend the morning cleaning up around the many trails, playgrounds, lakes, picnic areas and ball parks.”

In 2012 the SF Giants showed the world that winning the World Series was a team effort that went far beyond individual heroics. The same approach was needed to attach San Francisco’s litter problem. So Mayor Lee and the SF Giants launched Giant Sweep, a citywide campaign that brings together city agencies, neighborhood groups, local schools, residents, businesses, nonprofits to make San Francisco a world class city where people live, work, and play in a clean and safe environment everyday.

Giant Sweep is the City’s anti-litter campaign whose major sponsors include Recology, Clear Channel Outdoor, PG&E, Webcor and the UPS Foundation. More information on Giant Sweep can be found at www.sfgiantsweep.org.

###