Fall Back in Nature: This Sunday Nov 3

Our second special event in the Panhandle Park Action Project is coming up this Sunday, November 3. Join us anytime between 11:30 am - 1:30 pm for picnicking and appreciation of the amazing natural resources of the Panhandle Park! See you just outside the playground.

October Panhandle workday - pictures

Day School families (and me) gather during our break

A few dozen volunteers - including a big group of families from the San Francisco Day School - came out to participate in yesterday's community workday in the Panhandle. We were happy to have cool and dry weather all morning. 

The largest group of volunteers was put to work in raking up eucalyptus leaves, and then spreading some wood chips around the trunks of the massive trees near the playground. Some of our regular volunteers worked tending to the rain garden, we took time for some follow-up care for a new planting on the north side of the playground - rows of yarrow, heuchera, ceanothus, Oregon grape, and currant.

Thanks everyone for coming out to work together in our neighborhood park!

A view of the east end of the Panhandle as seen on Google Maps

NoPa NERT stages a drill at the Panhandle

When the next disaster occurs, it's the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) that will be best prepared to respond by providing information and assistance to people in need. Our local NERT has been working to build its capacity to respond to a variety of situations, so last Wednesday Sept 25, they deployed their people, plans, and supplies for a staging area drill on-site at the Panhandle Park.  

Special thanks goes to Steve McPherson and Lt. Erica Arteseros for the photos.   

The tables set up on the paved area west of Masonic don't just look festive, they are color-coded to help you find the leaders of planning, logistics, and operations. And since disasters don't stop when it get dark, your local NERT now has some experience in keeping the emergency response going even when the lights go out. I am certain that I will feel really glad to see these folks out and on the scene in the event of a disaster. 

You can meet local NERT leaders at one of the upcoming events of the Panhandle Park Action Project. On Sunday Nov 17, from 11 am - 1 pm, Picnic with other advocates covering the themes of safety, crime prevention, and preparedness  and meet Park Station officers (with the talking police car) and also reps from SF Bike Coalition, SFMTA, SFDPW and SF SAFE, and NERT.

Action project: Playground event coming up on Sunday, October 13

The Panhandle Park Action Project is up and running, offering events above and beyond the monthly community workday in the Panhandle. The first of our special events is all about our Panhandle Playground! 

Sunday, October 13, 10 am - 12 noon

Meet at the playground

Originally built in 1965, the Panhandle Playground sees thousands of children and their families throughout the year. The playground was renovated in 1998 and is now in need of some TLC. The Parks and Rec Department, in partnership with the San Francisco Parks Alliance, is deciding where to spend playground renovation funds in 2014. With the Panhandle Playground rating a grade of C- and below every year, we think it's the perfect time to make our little playground the shining star it can be. 

Please come help us celebrate, schmooze, meet your neighbors and get involved. Featuring a neighborhood magician, balloon art, activities and more! 

This event is led by volunteers organized through the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association. The Panhandle Park Action Project is a series of events organized with support from the San Francisco Parks Alliance. 

Come celebrate the day at the Panhandle Playground. For more information about this special event, contact panhandlepark@nopna.org.