What began as a low-key attempt to make friends in a new city has turned into an unexpectedly large event, complete with permits, safety requirements and a bill that could reach $4,000. Partiful, where the gathering was posted, also shows the event attracting more than 1,300 people who have expressed interest. The first gathering attracted about 20 people, giving her the confidence to organise another.
Maya Juchtman’s casual picnic invitation drew hundreds of RSVPs, forcing her to rethink everything from the venue to the event’s logistics, according to The San Francisco Standard and San Francisco Recreation and Parks. Juchtman, who moved to San Francisco from New York, originally wanted an easy, no-pressure way to meet people. She created a Partiful invitation for a picnic at Dolores Park, bringing along her dog Athena. The second invitation, however, took off far beyond expectations.
- Juchtman estimated that permits, insurance, portable toilets and potentially having a first responder available could bring the total cost to roughly $4,000. 12 at Dolores Park therefore had to change.
San Francisco Recreation and Parks says its permitting process is designed to prevent events from overlapping, ensure that gatherings fit the available space and protect attendees and park property. Juchtman’s original plan for Sept. The department recommended moving the event to Potrero Del Sol Park in the Mission, and the new date was set for Oct. The financial side has proved just as complicated. The figure is her estimate for the overall event rather than a single city permit fee. The situation highlights how quickly an informal social gathering can become a regulated event when hundreds of people are expected.