Sample Support Letter & Contact Info

Here's a sample support letter that you can use to show your support for keeping the Picnic in Golden Gate Park. Feel free to add your own details! Please remember to be positive and respectful and to copy us at savejimmyspicnic@gmail.com. THANKS!

"I strongly support the return of Jimmy’s Old Car Picnic to Golden Gate Park, and cannot understand why the city denied the picnic a permit for 2010. The picnic has been a San Francisco institution since 1988. Friends and family gather in the Park and enjoy a day of picnicking, visiting and checking out the old cars. This picnic is free to all spectators, and those that bring a car make a modest donation that goes to a charity assisting the developmentally disabled. How many free events are there left in San Francisco that appeal to young and old alike?

Jimmy’s picnic is in the best tradition of this city. It was started by a gardener for Rec and Park, and grew from a just a few cars the first year to the hundreds that turn out today. Over the years it has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity. Jimmy’s picnic is run by a non-profit, and there are no vendors, amplified sound or food or alcohol sales.

Over the 21 years that Jimmy’s picnic has been in the park, there has never been damage to the grass or any problems with neighbors. The crowd is car-loving and friendly, and very family oriented. With its proven track record, there is no reason to deny a permit to this event.

The parks are for all of the residents of San Francisco. Jimmy’s Old Car picnic is a chance for the people who grew up in the Avenues of the Richmond and the Sunset, as well as all over the City, to come together and celebrate the art of the old car, the hot rod, and car culture. You will see everything from a Model A Ford to a Rat Rod to a vintage Rolls Royce at the picnic. If it was made before 1972, it is there and so are those of us who love cars.

While the city may be moving toward a focus on larger, profit making events in Golden Gate Park, we should not lose events like Jimmy’s Picnic, a small family-friendly event that San Franciscans look forward to each year. I urge you to issue a permit to Jimmy’s Picnic!"

CONTACT INFORMATION

San Francisco Recreation and Park Commissioners: Mark Buell (president), Tom Harrison (vice-president), Gloria Bonilla, Michael Sullivan, David E. Lee, Larry Martin.
501 Stanyan Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
Telephone: 415-831-2750FAX: 415-221-8034
e-Mail: recpark.commission@sfgov.org

Mayor: Gavin Newsom

City Hall, Room 200

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

San Francisco, CA 94102

Telephone: (415) 554-6141

Fax: (415) 554-6160

Email: gavin.newsom@sfgov.org

Board of Supervisors:

Michela Alioto-Pier

District 2

(415) 554-7752 - Voice

(415) 554-7843 - Fax

Michela.Alioto-Pier@sfgov.org

John Avalos

District 11

(415) 554-6975 - Voice

(415) 554-6979 - Fax

John.Avalos@sfgov.org

David Campos

District 9

(415) 554-5144 - voice

(415) 554-6255 - fax

David.Campos@sfgov.org

David Chiu - Board President

District 3

(415) 554-7450 - Voice

(415) 554-7454 - Fax

David.Chiu@sfgov.org

Carmen Chu

District 4

(415) 554-7460 - Voice

(415) 554-7432 - Fax

Carmen.Chu@sfgov.org

Chris Daly

District 6

(415) 554-7970 - Voice

(415) 554-7974 - Fax

Chris.Daly@sfgov.org

Bevan Dufty

District 8

(415) 554-6968 - Voice

(415) 554-6909 - Fax

Bevan.Dufty@sfgov.org

Sean Elsbernd

District 7

(415) 554-6516 - Voice

(415) 554-6546 - Fax

Sean.Elsbernd@sfgov.org

Eric Mar

District 1

(415) 554-7410 - Voice

(415) 554-7415 - Fax

Eric.L.Mar@sfgov.org

Sophie Maxwell

District 10

(415) 554-7670 - Voice

(415) 554-7674 - Fax

Sophie.Maxwell@sfgov.org

Ross Mirkarimi

District 5

(415) 554-7630 - Voice

(415) 554-7634 - Fax

Ross.Mirkarimi@sfgov.org

Save the date! Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010!

Here's how you can help save Jimmy's Old Car Picnic in Golden Gate Park!
Save the date of Thursday, 2/18, 2:00 pm--City Hall, Rm 216 for the SF Rec & Park Dept Commission meeting. We plan to get the Picnic on this meeting's agenda and our team will present its case!

If you are free, come on out!! If you cannot make it, please write a letter about what you would have said and send it to us.

We are asking people to send letters of support to the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors, and the Park Commission. Be sure to copy us at savejimmyspicnic@gmail.com so we can track the letters and make sure our voices are heard!

Please let us know if you have any questions! Be sure to keep sharing your photos, it all helps.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

Jimmy's Picnic team

Picnic permit for 2010 DENIED!

Hello friends,
We are saddened to let you know that the permit for 2010's Jimmy's Old Car Picnic has been denied by the SF Recreation & Park Department.
You can learn a little more by reading this SF Examiner article.

Directly from the Permit Office:

"Our Department (Permit Dept of the SF Recreation & Park Dept) is denying your request for Speedway Meadow for two reasons described below:

1. We believe that a grass field is not an appropriate venue for a car show and as a matter of policy this Department is not going to permit Car Shows on our grass areas going forward.
2. We are limiting the number of events in the fall that have an impact on our meadows to allow a minimum of 3 weeks between major events. We must choose between a number of different events. In deciding which events to allow, we are looking at a number of factors including
a. Cultural and recreational benefits to the city and residents
b. Economic benefit to the department

We recognize that the car show is enjoyed by many people. However, based on this review, we do not feel that a Car Show in a Meadow meets the standard. "

Well, we believe that the Picnic is absolutely beneficial to the people of San Francisco. What other event brings so many people of different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels together on a single day? A family can attend this event for free. People can meet people from other places and share things they have in common or learn new things. They can picnic or grill and not worry about being gouged for money. The Picnic fosters community spirit and makes us proud to be San Franciscans!

Economic benefit to the department? We pay the required and necessary fees. We also feel that helping our Disabled community benefits everyone.

We just wanted to let you know what is going on. This blog is maintained by the Picnic organizers and is the source for accurate information; drop us a line if you have any questions. AND PLEASE SIGN OUR ONLINE PETITION!

For more information on the Permit Dept click here.