An art connoisseur whose collection allegedly consisted of dozens of works pilfered from various San Francisco galleries and libraries will face a judge Friday on charges of grand theft. Police arrested Terry Helbing, 53, at about 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture at the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park, according to police. A worker there had recognized Helbing from a burglary in April, in which about $15,000 worth of art was stolen. Read More

For tourists, enjoyment of San Francisco’s beloved Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park will come at a cost. As the Recreation and Park Department struggles financially, it’s banking on a nonresident fee for entry to the Botanical Garden to help out with its bottom line. The cost to enter the garden would remain free for residents, but nonresidents would be charged. Adults would pay $7, youth and seniors $5, and $2 for children ages 5 to 11. Read More

First, it was neighbors complaining about noise, traffic and trash. Now, even the dogs are barking about events in Golden Gate Park. Festivals such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and Outside Lands have drawn complaints from neighbors in the Richmond and Sunset districts due to their impact on traffic, noise and litter. Read More

Pockets of Golden Gate Park that are known for criminal activity are receiving attention from city officials.Supervisors Carmen Chu and Eric Mar have sponsored legislation calling for a hearing to address public safety issues in the park, especially lighting and increased police patrols. “We are getting calls from constituents who are concerned,” said Mar, whose district covers the Richmond neighborhood and a portion of Golden Gate Park. Read More