Picnics in parks becoming popular
By: Kamala Kelkar
Examiner Staff Writer
August 23, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — Outside parties are in, as families and other revellers forgo pricey party venues for The City’s parks.
So far this year, there has been a 20 percent spike in park rental permits, according to Recreation and Park Department spokeswoman Lisa Seitz-Gruwell.
Families have likely been bringing their picnic baskets and barbecues to San Francisco’s public parks more often than in past years because DIY parties are cheaper than hiring a planner or booking a slot at a party place, Seitz-Gruwell said.
For $25, a section in one of The City’s parks can be reserved for the day, as long as party hosts cap the festivities at 50 attendees. For guest lists of more than 400 people, permits go up to about $215 a day.
But even that rate still undercuts many venues, including some that receive Rec and Park funding.
For instance, the Randall Museum in Corona Heights charges families between $275 and $500 to host a two-hour party for up to 10 kids, depending on museum membership status and party activities.
Children’s parties at the San Francisco Zoo are an hour-and-a-half long and cater groups of up to 12 kids for $430, including cake, food and drinks.
Parties at many indoor gym franchises such as Pump it Up and My Gym can range from around $250 to more than $400 for a couple of hours.
Businesses are throwing potlucks and get-togethers in parks more often, too, Seitz-Gruwell said.
Companies canceled Christmas parties and other extravaganzas last year in a panic when the economy tanked, and made cutbacks such as renting recreation centers instead of hotels, according to Bay Area-based event coordinator Lauren Falche, of Devine Dezigns.
Yet Falche said the cutbacks were part of a short-lived scare and that professionally coordinated special events will never go out of style.
“Hospitality is a multibillion-dollar industry,” Falche said. “I still have my same annual events, a lot of them scaled back, but luckily it didn’t affect me too much.”
kkelkar@sfexaminer.com
Costs of partying in the park
Park reservations have spiked despite the economy
Price for general sites*
| Number of participants | Cost |
| 1-50 | $27 |
| 51-100 | $55 |
| 101-200 | $81 |
| 201-400 | $136 |
| More than 400 | $217 |
Price for premium sites*
| Number of participants | Cost |
| 1-50 | $55 |
| 51-100 | $81 |
| 101-200 | $108 |
| 201-300 | $163 |
| More than 300 | Negotiated |
*Costs are for family, schools and nonprofit organizations; prices differ for corporate events
Source: Recreation and Park Department
