Photo by Rob R.
This Saturday, the restored Murphy Windmill at the south end of Golden Gate Park will take its final step to becoming fully functional – prepare to see it turn!
April 28 commemorates the Dutch national holiday Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag; normally celebrated April 30), and SF Rec & Park is using the occasion to celebrate the re-opening of Murphy Windmill. The windmill has been under restoration for many years at a cost of several million dollars.
Saturday’s celebration kicks off at 11am at the Murphy Windmill, where SF Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg and Dutch Consulate General Bart van Bolhuis will officially open the windmill, and commemorate its first turns. The cottage next to the windmill will also be open to the public. Windmill Designer Lucas Verbij will also be on hand to give a windmill history tour at 11:30.
The Murphy Windmill will only be turning for the day on Saturday. We’re not sure what the plans are for its long-term operation, but there is probably more work needed to bolster it for 24/7 turning. Let’s hope for a decent breeze on Saturday so the Murphy Windmill can finally turn along with its cousin, the Dutch Windmill, at the north end of the park!
I’ve been told that Rec & Park has been testing Murphy’s turns for an hour every day “to make sure the parts are greased and working.” So far so good.
In addition to the kick-off at Murphy Windmill, there will be a large Queen’s Day celebration at the Dutch Windmill including vendors, food, games, children’s activities, live music and more from 11am until 5pm.
Stop by to enjoy all things Dutch including pastries, cheese, and other delicacies, plus a flea market (Queen’s Day is known for its nationwide vrijmarkt (“free market” or flea market), at which many Dutch sell their secondhand item) and a beer garden.
The stretch of JFK Drive alongside the Dutch Windmill will be closed to traffic to host Saturday’s festival.
Sarah B.
With the Doyle Drive work, it should be interesting Saturday having another road closure.
Agree with Mel, this and Lands End. For all the government workers we support, it would be nice if they coordinated.
Whiners, begone!