After hours of public comment, committee forwards Polo Fields concert permit without recommendation

The Budget & Finance Committee on Sept. 6 forwarded to the full Board, without recommendation, a Recreation & Park resolution authorizing permit(s) for Another Planet Entertainment to hold ticketed concerts at Golden Gate Park’s Polo Fields the weekend after Outside Lands in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Rec & Park staff said the permit would bring substantial revenue (minimum permit fees of $1.4 million per year for a two-day event and $2.1 million for a three-day event), generate economic activity for local businesses, provide free Muni for wristbanded attendees, and fund three free downtown concerts per year. The department framed the permit as a budget-balancing strategy and said the proposed Polo Fields footprint would be roughly one-third the Outside Lands footprint and would use a single stage to reduce impacts.

Public comment filled the committee record. Speakers in favor included entertainment-industry unions, food vendors, Rec & Park staff and many local small-business operators who said concerts support jobs and neighborhood economies. Labor representatives emphasized union jobs and workforce benefits. Speakers expressing concerns included Richmond and Westside residents who said they worry about neighborhood disruption, traffic, parking and park access; Chair Chan said she would send the item forward without recommendation to reflect those ongoing concerns and to preserve further public review.

Committee members requested continued work with Rec & Park, Another Planet and Muni on mitigation (traffic/parking, noise monitoring, shuttle and transit plans, hotline for complaints); the department said it would continue community outreach and mitigation planning and return with details as the permit progresses. The full Board will take up the permit and may add conditions or direct additional mitigation measures.