Interact Club from El Camino High School and other volunteers celebrate the 2013 Sunday Streets season kick off on the Embarcadero

Did you know? You can sign up now to volunteer at any Sunday Streets event this season if you commit to brining a group of at least 5 volunteers. Although most volunteer positions are spread out along the route, we’ll ensure your group checks in at the same location and volunteers work in groups of 2-4 whenever possible.

High school students from El Camino High School, college students from UC Berkeley, and an Americorps team are just a few of the groups that have found that at Sunday Streets, the more the merrier!

So talk to your friends, colleagues, club members, or other associates, pick a date, and sign up today.

To register a group of volunteers, fill out the group registration form or email Liza@livablecity.org to request a date.

Remember when kids were free to run and play in the streets of their neighborhood? They could get together with their neighbors to play tag, kickball, street hockey, or any other outdoor game. These days there just isn’t enough space for kids to run and play, and we want to change that.

Presented by the Partnership for A Healthier America and the National Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Play Streets For All is a new program of San Francisco’s popular Sunday Streets. San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), Livable City, and San Francisco Beautiful are collaborating to bring Play Streets for All to four neighborhoods this summer. This pilot program will transform a few blocks of residential streets in the Bayview, Tenderloin, Western Addition and Excelsior into open space for kids to run and play.

To be ready for Play Streets events this summer,  SF Beautiful and Sunday Streets will be organizing four free “How to Organize Play Streets” community workshops, throughout the month of May. Workshop participants will learn about the permit process, and about how to get their neighbors and community involved in planning their own neighborhood Play Streets program.

Workshops are open to all who are interested, with priority for members of the host community.

Reserve a spot at one of these workshops today! They’re already filling up. Write french@sfbeautiful.org or leave a message at 415.421.2608 x15.

Saturday, May 4: Tenderloin Community Workshop- District 6.- Venue: 201 Turk Street Apartments Community Room, 201 Turk Street, SF 94102. 1-4pm.Write french@sfbeautiful.org to sign up for the May 4 event!

Saturday, May 11: Western Addition Community Workshop- District 5;; Venue: Rosa Parks Apartments, 1251 Turk Street, SF 94115. 1-4pm. Write french@sfbeautiful.org to sign up for the May 11 event!

Sunday, May 19: Excelsior Community Workshop- District 11; Venue: Excelsior Branch Library Community Room, 4400 Mission St, SF, CA 94112. 1-4pm. Write french@sfbeautiful.org to sign up for the May 19 event!

Thursday, May 23: Bayview Community Workshop-District 10; Venue: Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre, 4705 3rd St, SF, CA 94124. 5:30-8:30pm. Write french@sfbeautiful.org to sign up for the May 23 event!.

You can read more about Play Streets by clicking here. 

For more information on San Francisco Beautiful, click here.

Photo by Sven Eberlein http://sveneberlein.com/

Dust off those roller skates, pull out your walking shoes, or grab your bike! Bring yourself, your family, and friends to the Mission to enjoy car-free streets.

On Sunday, April 14, Valencia and 24th Streets will be transformed into a space for you to play. There are a plethora of activities, including FREE yoga classes, swing dance lessons, hula hooping classes, and more! Check out our interactive event guide or download our activity map to bring with you on Sunday!

It’s funny how quickly your world can change once you start biking in the city for the first time. A week before I trekked on my bike from the Outer Richmond to the Embarcadero I was telling a coworker about how I would never ride in downtown traffic. A day or so later it took just one thought—why not? What’s actually stopping me from riding in the city? I want to ride my bike. I know how to switch gears. I wear a helmet. I can pump up my tires and know how to change my tubes. That’s far more than most beginners.

After mustering up some guts I set a goal, making the Embarcadero Sunday Streets my destination (which is the furthest point in the city from my home). Then I called up a girlfriend to join me. The rest is history.

I used to view bicycle culture from afar, envious that cyclists could have so much fun getting around town in an efficient, sustainable manner.  The number one issue that stopped me from initially hopping on the saddle is what also paralyzes many would-be bikers: fear of cars.

I had attended a few Sunday Streets before, with the intention of leaving my bicycle at home each time. I thought, ‘How could I possibly navigate those blocked off streets with pedestrians in my way?’ Looking back, that was just an excuse—a way to ‘forget’ my bicycle when I should have embraced it. The point of Sunday Streets is to bring the community together while encouraging a bike and pedestrian friendly atmosphere in the city. I can confidently attest that Sunday Streets gave me that extra push, ultimately leading to my love of bicycling. With my fear now defeated, all I want to do is explore the city by bike every day.

- Blog post and photograph submitted by Andrea Dumovich

Each year, Sunday Streets is made possible by hundreds of volunteers like you! Just a few hours of your time at or before the event helps ensure that everyone has a safe and fun time.

Here are a few upcoming opportunities to volunteer or learn more about the volunteer program:

Volunteer Orientation, Monday April 8, 6:30-7:30pm
The next Sunday Streets Volunteer Orientation will be held on Monday, April 8, 6:30-7:30pm at the offices of Dolan Law, 1438 Market St. This is a great chance to learn more about the volunteer program and get all the insider information. All volunteers are required to attend one volunteer training each season. The good news is, after you’ve attended once, you can volunteer as many times as you want all year long!
RSVP here.

Sign posting, Sunday April 12
Did you know, volunteers play a huge role in making Sunday Streets possible even before the event get’s started? A few days before each event, we post hundreds of “No Parking” signs along the route to ensure the streets are carefree Sunday morning. A few extra sets of hands make the task a lot faster and easier – and more fun!

Join us Friday April 12, 11am-2pm or 2-5pm. Sign up at SundayStreetsSF.com/Volunteer.

Sunday Streets in the Mission, Sunday April 14

Be a part of one of the most exciting events of the season! In just a few short weeks, Sunday Streets will be returning to one of our most popular routes in the Mission. Valencia and 24th Streets will be filled with music, bikes, families, dancing and more – and volunteers get a front row seat! Sign up now to snag your favorite volunteer shift before it’s filled! SundayStreetsSF.com/Volunteer.

Volunteers get a front row seat at Sunday Streets!

Photo by David Hill 

We want merchants along Sunday Streets routes to have great experiences during the event. Our staff looks forward to working with businesses and sharing ideas to help draw in customers during event days. If you have suggestions on how your business has participated in Sunday Streets, please let us know, we love new ideas!  Click here for  easy ways to get more involved in Sunday Streets!

Some involvement can be a bit tricky, as various activities require special permits. If you are interested in displaying or serving food, we have updated information on the permit process:

San Francisco Permit Regulations

• Businesses located on Sunday Streets routes may use the parking lane in front of store for displays, sidewalk and travel lanes may not obstructed.
• All displays must be easily moved out of the way in case of emergency.
• Vehicles are reintroduced to the streets at 4 p.m., all displays must be broken down and moved inside at 3:30 p.m.
• All sales must occur inside.

Department of Public Health (DPH) Food Permit (City Regulations for merchants on routes with current DPH permits who wish to sell food during Sunday Streets)

NO PERMIT NEEDED:

• Food Display application must be completed in advance;
• Food vendors may display samples food items outside business to show what is available inside with visible sign on these items “For Display Only”;
• All cooking and food preparation must take place inside food service establishments;

DPH OUTSIDE FOOD FACILITY PERMIT REQUIRED:

• Merchants serving any type of food outside their businesses must apply for DPH permit and be listed on Sunday Streets DPH Event Permit;
• DPH Temp Food Permit fee is $186, valid during Sunday Streets events for one year;
• Heating elements (fire or fuel powered) outside businesses are subject to additional SF Fire Dept permits to ensure public safety.
  2013 Permit for Food Display
  2013 Permit for Outside Temporary Food Facilities

All permit applications for 4/14 Mission event are due by Friday, March 29. For information on merchant vending, email  Sundaystreets@gmail.com.

Did you know? When you show your love for Sunday Streets, City CarShare will show some love for you! City CarShare is giving Sunday Streets volunteers a discount on the application fee and $30 in driving credits (a $45 value) for any new ShareLocal, SharePlus, or Share-a-Little memberships between now and December, 2013.

Volunteer to get the special promo code! (Already volunteered and want the secret code? Email Liza@livablecity.org)

 After a great event along the waterfront, we are so excited to return to the Mission! On April 14, 2013, Sunday Streets will return to Valencia and 24th Streets. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the streets will be transformed to a place for you to get out and active. Grab your walking shoes, hula hoops, and skates, and roll over to the Mission! Stay tuned for more details on activities, and in the meantime RSVP here, and invite your friends!

Did you know? When you show your love for Sunday Streets, City CarShare will show some love for you! City CarShare is giving Sunday Streets volunteers a discount on the application fee and $30 in driving credits (a $45 value) for any new ShareLocal, SharePlus, or Share-a-Little memberships between now and December, 2013.

Volunteer to get the special promo code! (Already volunteered and want the secret code? Email Liza@livablecity.org)

We are really excited to kick off the 2013 Season along the waterfront! Take a look at some of the activities that will be happening along the waterfront. From Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, all the way to the Embarcadero Rowing Club, there are tons of things to do. So grab your family, and friends and come play in the street!