Phil Ginsburg is working to ensure increased access to public recreation areas for all, so that San Francisco's families and children are not only surviving in the city, but thriving. Under his management, SF Rec & Park has developed a robust recreation scholarship program, providing more than 8,000 scholarships and over $1 million in free programming to park users each year.

In recent years, Phil and his team have implemented playground, trail and facility improvements across the city, thanks to two voter-approved bond initiatives totaling $385 million. These capital upgrades are critical to ensuring that children and families will have clean, safe and beautiful parks to enjoy for decades to come. Rec and Park has also completed several water conservation projects, cultivated nearly 186,000 hours of annual support from volunteers, developed youth environmental stewardship programs, and launched a citywide program to manage San Francisco’s urban agriculture and community gardening efforts.

Phil has more than a decade of experience in San Francisco city government, having previously served as a deputy City Attorney, Director of the Department of Human Resources, and Chief of Staff to former Mayor Gavin Newsom. Recognized across the country for his leadership, Phil sits on the Board of the City Parks Alliance, a national organization advocating for large urban park systems. In 2013, Phil was presented with a “Legacy Award” by America Scores Bay Area for his leadership and commitment to San Francisco youth. In 2012, the Trust for Public Land named San Francisco the nation’s best urban park system.

Phil is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Hastings College of the Law. Parks play a significant role in his personal life as well. He proposed to his wife Emily on a backcountry trek in Glacier National Park, and can often be found rooting on his daughters, Grace and Sarah, on San Francisco’s many ball fields or enjoying Camp Mather in the High Sierras with his family during the summer.