Pushing Public-Private Partnerships in San Francisco Parks

Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, has proposed a plan that would allow people to pay for naming rights on park properties and structures, and increase the amount of vending opportunities within the city's parks.

"Under his money-generating vision, more coffee kiosks and hot dog stands would be allowed to operate in San Francisco parks, and fields would be rented out more often for concerts and other special events. Longtime park concessionaires may be ousted by new leaseholders who offer more money.

Donors would be recognized by having a grove of trees, playground, golf course or recreation center named in their honor.

'We need to become much more entrepreneurial, much more self-sufficient,' said Ginsburg, Mayor Gavin Newsom's onetime chief of staff who became the city's recreation and parks chief in July."