Public-private pairing envisioned for S.F. parks

San Francisco may rely more on corporate and philanthropic sponsors and community volunteers to fund and maintain its parks and recreation centers as it struggles with a mounting budget deficit. That is the hope of Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, who recently returned from New York City and was wowed by the public-private partnership operating Central Park. The Central Park Conservancy, relying heavily on money from sponsorships, has invested more than $500 million in the showcase urban park in nearly three decades. "Everything- everything - is named: every bench, every tree. And it's done very modestly, very tastefully," Ginsburg said. Under his money-generating vision, more coffee kiosks and hot dog stands would be allowed to operate in San Francisco parks, and fields would be rented out more often for concerts and other special events. Longtime park concessionaires may be ousted by new leaseholders who offer more money. Donors would be recognized by having a grove of trees, playground, golf course or recreation center named in their honor...read more