Big shifts are shaking up the city landscape, and we're not just talking about the fog rolling in over Twin Peaks. Phil Ginsburg, who spent the past 16 years giving San Francisco's green spaces more than just a trim around the edges, is stepping down as General Manager of Rec & Park, trading in his local government hat to take charge at the Resources Legacy Fund. According to the Recreation and Park Department, we'll be waving goodbye to Ginsburg at the close of this year, putting a bow on a 25-year streak of city service.
Mayor Daniel Lurie tipped his hat to Ginsburg, per the Recreation and Park Department, "I'm grateful to Phil Ginsburg for his 25 years of service to our city and 16 years of leadership at the Recreation and Park Department," he hailed Ginsburg's unwavering dedication and verbally handed him a bouquet for all the work, now not just any leader could boast saying S.F. is the kind of place where a park's always just a hop, skip, and jump away from your doorstep, every resident gets a 10-minute walk to some greenery, but under Ginsburg's leadership, that's precisely what happened. Beyond that, he's been a bit of a Johnny Appleseed for the city, launching an apprenticeship program for gardeners, revamping waterfronts, sprouting new playgrounds, and making sure UN Plaza had a better rep than an awkward family photo at the holidays.
State Senator Scott Wiener praised Phil, saying, as per the Recreation and Park Department, "Phil’s impact is felt in every corner of our great City." He celebrated Ginsburg's passion for turning public spaces into landmarks littered with trails, tunes, and talks. And for a legacy check, besides giving Rec & Park a zestier flavor, Ginsburg also juggled gigs as chair of the State's Recreation and Parks Commission, vice chair of the Children and Nature Network, and with enough boardroom seats to make a carpenter jealous, including stints with the National Recreation and Parks Association and San Francisco Children and Nature.
