Rec & Park Officially Renames Meadow After Robin Williams

Robin Williams and Debi Durst in 2010. | Photo: Dave Pokorny

Teresa Hammerl
Published on December 21, 2017

This morning, the Recreation & Park Commission unanimously approved a decision by late Mayor Ed Lee to name Sharon Meadow after actor and comedian Robin Williams, ABC7 reports.

As we noted in September, Lee announced the change to honor Williams, who died in 2014, but the move still had to be approved by Rec & Park.

"Through his comedy, Robin Williams brought so much light into this world, which is why it is fitting that we are naming a beautiful outdoor meadow in his honor," said the late mayor.

Comedians Will and Debi Durst at the meeting. | Photo: Jonathan Bloom/Twitter

The initiative to rename the area began after local comedians Will and Debi Durst launched a fundraiser to build support for celebrating Williams' life and legacy.

The meadow is the location for Comedy Day, a recurring festival that Williams often attended and supported behind the scenes as an anonymous benefactor.

The area surrounded by Sharon Arts Studio, the lawn bowling court, tennis courts, as well as Koret Children’s Playground and the historic Carousel is now called Robin Williams Meadow, as already reflected on Google and Apple Maps.

Robin Williams Meadow is located between between Martin Luther King Jr. and Middle Drives. | Photo: Google

"Robin was a friend not only to me, but to Comedy Day and the entire City of San Francisco," said Debi Durst in a statement in September.

"We miss him horribly, and think it is only fitting that this wonderful Meadow, where he made so many people laugh and forget their troubles for the day will be named in his honor."