Introduction

Introduction “... no city in the world will have as good reason for taking pride in its park as .” , 1886

Golden Gate Park has been a part of San Fran- cisco for over 120 years. Over that time, the city and the lives of its citizens have changed dra- matically, yet the purpose and use of Park has remained remarkably unchanged. Today, as one hundred years ago, people are coming to to picnic, walk, bicycle, to feed the ducks, to see the bison, and “as a relief and counterpoise to the urban conditions of their ordinary circumstances of life.” This is an enduring tribute to the vision and design that created the park. The park is as vital today as it was a hundred years ago, perhaps more so. Golden Gate Park is both a Conservatory Valley, ca. 1880's and . . . 19th century "pleasure ground" and a modern Photo: Wells Fargo Bank urban park.

Now in its second century, the park is facing new and growing challenges. Most of these are the result of the growth and change of the City around the park. The kind of vision that was required to create the park from barren sand dunes is also needed today to preserve and enhance the park to ensure that it will continue to serve future generations. This Master Plan for Golden Gate Park attempts to provide that vision and lay the groundwork for its preservation and enhancement into the next century.

The greatest challenge today is providing the necessary funding to maintain the park. Histori- cally, the park has been funded by city taxes. Today

1-1 GOLDEN GATE PARK MASTER PLAN

Parks were seen as one of the vital public services that citizens expected the City govern- ment to provide. Today, the City’s ability to raise enough taxes to support all of the tradi- tional services is limited. Priorities within the City’s budget can change, and the share going to Golden Gate Park can fluctuate. The value that the park provides to the City more than justifies providing adequate funding for maintenance of the park. The investment that has been made in the park has paid many dividends over the years Stow Lake, ca. 1890's and . . . today in the form of increased real estate values, as a Photo: State Library major attraction that supports the tourism industry, and as an amenity that improves the quality of life for residents. Citizen interest and support for the park was demonstrated with their approval of the 1992 Golden Gate Park Infra- structure Bond; however, funds for ongoing maintenance are subject to the City’s annual budget constraints.

An important finding of this Master Plan is the belief that the improvements needed to preserve, maintain, and enhance Golden Gate Park can be , ca. 1900 and . . . today supported with additional sources of public and Photo: Greg Gaar private funding that will complement the tradi- tional support from the City's general fund. It is that belief that permits this plan to be a bold one: to propose new park improvements and addi- tional staff to maintain it when the City's general fund share may fluctuate. It is intended that the Master Plan will provide the impetus to raise the necessary funds, both public and private, to ensure that Golden Gate Park remains the world class urban park that it is.

Mounted Police, ca. 1910 and . . . today Photo: Greg Gaar

1-2 Introduction

Main Drive, ca. 1900 and . . . today

Childrens Playground, ca. 1900 and . . . today Photo: California State Library

Japanese Tea Garden, ca. 1900 and . . . today Photo: California State Library

1-3 GOLDEN GATE PARK MASTER PLAN

Dog training field Stow Lake and boathouse Beach Chalet Bison paddock Prayer Book Cross and Rainbow Falls Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden Petanque court and Dutch Windmill Marx Meadow Senior Center Archery field Speedway Meadow Golf course and Model Yacht Club Lloyd Lake clubhouse and Portals North Lake Lindley Meadow of the Past

Playground Middle Metson Lake Compost area Lake Former Richmond Sunset Golden Gate Park Elk Glen Meadow Sewage Treatment Plant site South Lake Stadium, Polo Field Elk Glen Lake Beach Chalet Soccer Fields Bercut Equitation Golden Gate Park Stables Field and Police Stables Urban Forestry Center Murphy's Windmill and Millwright's House Fly casting pools and Anglers Lodge Mallard Lake Rustic Stone Bridge Little Speedway Meadow Mothers Meadow and playground

1-4 Introduction

and Tree Fern Dell Scale in feet Asian Art Museum Quarry Lake (Lily Pond) and Japanese Tea Garden Spreckels Temple of Music Casino Meadow and Rustic Shelter North 0 500 1000 2000 Heroes Redwood Grove Playground De Laveaga Dell/AIDS Memorial Grove Rose Garden John McLaren and Conservatory Valley Rhododendron Pioneer Log Cabin Dell Dahlia Garden and Arizona Garden Roman Bridge Powell St. Arguello Gate Railway Doughboy Station Meadow Peacock Meadow Horseshoe courts Panhandle Fuchsia and camellia gardens McLaren Lodge

Play area Tennis courts and clubhouse Alvord Bridge Alvord Lake Park Police Station

Park Emergency Aid Station Kezar parking lot

Kezar Stadium Sunken Meadow Handball courts Sharon Building, carousel, and Mary B. Chinese Pavilion Big Rec baseball Connolly Children's Playground diamonds Huntington Falls Sharon Meadow California Academy Strawberry Hill of Sciences Lawn bowling greens and clubhouse Strybing Arboretum Shakespeare Garden Maintenance yard and nursery and Botanical Gardens County Fair Building, Helen Crocker Russel Horticultural Library Park Features and Places

1-5 GOLDEN GATE PARK MASTER PLAN

The Master Plan The Master Plan for Golden Gate Park is In 1979, a planning process resulted in the Phases of the Master Plan intended to provide a framework and guide- adoption of Objectives and Policies for Golden lines to ensure responsible and enlightened Gate Park which were the framework for the Issues Identification stewardship of the park. The goal is to manage Objectives and Policies adopted in this docu- Issues and concerns were identified through the current and future park and recreation ment. A forestry management plan was done in meetings with park staff, meetings with the Task demands while preserving the historic signifi- 1980 and a transportation management plan was Force, public meetings, and with a questionnaire cance of the park. As such, the plan is a completed in 1985. distributed with the Master Plan newsletter. The preservationist plan, and proposed changes purpose of this part of the Master Plan is to respect the historic context of the park. The current master planning process was begun assess the range of ideas, opinions, and visions in late 1992. This Master Plan is the product of that people have for the park. From these ideas Frederick Law Olmsted spoke of the long-term a process that involved Department of Recre- the Master Plan identified where there are management of Golden Gate Park in an 1886 ation and Park staff, other City departments, a common themes, where there is community letter to the Park Commissioners: task force composed of representatives from consensus, and where there are differing opin- neighborhood and user groups, and the general ions that will require a decision-making process. “... let me counsel you, in general terms, to public. A draft Master Plan was completed in remember that your park is not for today, but March of 1995. An extensive environmental Assessment of Existing Conditions and for all time - so long as you have a city. ... review was completed in July of 1998 with the Needs You have your present population to satisfy certification of the Environmental Impact All park elements were examined to understand and please. It is an intelligent population, Report (EIR) by the Planning Commission. the existing condition of the park. This assess- beyond a doubt, and possessed of a high The Master Plan was then adopted by the ment identified deficiencies and needs in the appreciation of good results. But it is to be Recreation and Park Commission on October park, and helped to focus which elements in the expected that future generations will be more 15, 1998. park would receive special attention in the intelligent and more appreciative.” recommendations phase of the Master Plan. The assessment of existing conditions and needs is, The original plan for Golden Gate Park was in part, a distillation of more detailed back- developed by and ground papers that were completed for this published in the First Biennial Report to the Master Plan. The following background papers Park Commissioners in 1872. The park's are under separate cover: circulation; forest development was loosely based on that plan, landscape and wildlife; geology, ground water although not all elements were completed. In and recycled water; economic issues; historic 1890, John McLaren became park superinten- structures; and a park history and bibliography. dent, and for the next half century he guided the park’s development in his own vision. Assessment and Revision of the Existing During his reign, McLaren held true to the Objectives and Policies original design intent and protected the park The Objectives and Policies provide a frame- from most of the various development propos- work and guidelines for park management als that were in conflict with the park's charac- decisions. They were developed through an ter. 1-6 Introduction

extensive public process in 1979 and amended in opment of this plan should continue to advocate building permits, issuance of permits as 1985 with adoption of the Golden Gate Park for implementation of recommendations. required (building, electric, plumbing, Transportation Management Plan. Some of the grading) conditions and issues have changed, and some of Developing new sources of public funding, • Fire Department - approval of plans and the policy actions have been completed or are through a new tax or other mechanism, will be specifications for issuance of building outdated. The Objectives and Policies have important for implementing the Master Plan and permits been revised through a public process that ensuring the long-term survival of Golden Gate • Arts Commission - approval of design of included review and suggestions by many Park. The Friends of Recreation and Parks non- public structures and art groups and interested parties involved in the profit support organization will play a part in planning process. implementing some of the recommendations State: through fund-raising and management of • Coastal Commission - for lake rehabilitation Recommendations and Action Plans projects. in the coastal zone The final element of the Master Plan includes • Department of Fish and Game - review of specific recommendations and action plans to Approvals lake rehabilitation projects correct deficiencies and address problems The Master Plan was adopted by the Recreation identified during the Master Plan process. These and Park Commission after certification of the Federal: are both parkwide recommendations and recom- Environmental Impact Report. Individual • Army Corps of Engineers - as required mendations for selected areas within the park. projects are subject to review by the Recreation regarding lake, water course or wetland The recommendations include design changes, and Park Commission for approval of plans and projects management recommendations, and strategies specifications and award of contracts. Some • Fish and Wildlife Service - as required if for funding and implementation. The recom- projects, as appropriate, will also be subject to projects take place in listed species habitat mendations received environmental review prior approvals from one or more of the agencies and to adoption of the Master Plan by the Recreation approval bodies listed below. and Park Commission. City: Implementation • Board of Supervisors - funding appropria- The recommendations of the Master Plan will be tions, approval of construction of buildings implemented over a period of several years. in the park Many of the capital projects identified will be • Landmarks Board - Certificate of Appropri- funded over a period of years by the 1992 ateness for historic elements Golden Gate Park Infrastructure Bond. Other • Department of City Planning - preparation recommendations may require new sources of and certification of Environmental Review funding. Continued public participation will be document and General Plan Referral, important for implementation, as some recom- completed for Master Plan document, July 9, mendations will be accomplished through 1998. increased community involvement. The task • Department of Building Inspection - ap- force groups that have contributed to the devel- proval of plans and specifications for

1-7 GOLDEN GATE PARK MASTER PLAN

Executive Summary The following is a summary of Master Plan Circulation vehicle traffic on the park, particularly from elements and recommendations. Many of the • Implement accessibility/ADA improvements non-park through traffic. projects listed address the needs of park preserva- park-wide. • Conduct feasibility studies of undergrounding tion and rehabilitation, and some are ongoing • Implement pedestrian and bicycle circulation Crossover Drive and a grade separation at projects. improvements. MLK/Crossover intersection. • Redesign the JFK/Stanyan/Kezar entry, Objectives and Policies creating a 'T' intersection, slowing the speed Recreation • The Golden Gate Park Objectives and Policies of vehicles entering the park and reducing the • Construct one additional soccer field at the have been revised and reorganized. See amount of paving. former Richmond Sunset treatment plant site. Chapter 3. • Define parking lanes on eastern JFK Dr. with • Renovate children's play areas to improve landscape extensions. safety and accessibility, and to meet new Park Landscape • Pursue a park shuttle bus demonstration codes and regulations. • A Landscape Design Framework has been program. • Install night lighting at the tennis courts. developed to define the characteristics that • Create a transit portal and new pedestrian/ • Continue planning process to designate make the park's historic landscape unique. bicycle entry at the Powell Street Railway appropriate trails for mountain bikes, and to Defining and understanding the park land- shelter at 7th Ave./Fulton. reduce damage to the park landscape by scape is an important step to ensure its preser- • Create a visitor drop-off at the County Fair indiscriminate mountain bike use. vation. Building. • Upgrade the equestrian center facilities with • Recognize the national level significance of • Continue the existing Sunday/holiday clo- improvements to include night lighting, a the park's historic landscape and ensure its sures on JFK Drive, and the Saturday closure covered central arena, and secure fencing. preservation and restoration. of Middle Drive West. • A caretaker's unit for the equestrian center • Continue reforestation program throughout • Work with MUNI to improve transit access to will be incorporated into an existing or the park. the park including extension of the F-Line replacement structure. • Implement a shrub layer restoration program. historic streetcars into the park connecting • Renovate the horseshoe courts or relocate near • Install automatic irrigation systems for turf Fisherman's Wharf, Market Street, and the petanque court. areas. Golden Gate Park. • Assess impacts and costs of special events. • Restore the Rhododendron Dell. • Close the following roads within the park: Continue regular reviews of the permit policy • Reconstruct Rainbow Falls. Waller Street, a portion of Middle Drive for special events. Determine carrying • Restore the park lakes with improved clay West, Bernice Rodgers Way (formerly South capacity for permit areas. liners and edge treatments, and improve water Fork Drive), 7th Avenue/Lincoln Boulevard quality and flow. entrance, and portions of Arguello South and Visitor Facilities • Continue an erosion control program to 47th Ave. • Provide improved visitor information services address spot erosion problems. • Convert 30th Ave. to one-way into the park, in McLaren Lodge. • Improve wildlife habitat values around the and 36th Ave. to one-way out of the park. • Install comprehensive signs at all park entries park and designate areas with high wildlife • Implement three and four-hour parking limits with park information, regulations, and a map values as special management areas. in the eastern park to reduce commuter for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. • Designate significant oak woodland areas as parking. • Maintain a western park visitor center at the oak woodland preserves. • Continue to study ways to reduce impacts of Beach Chalet. 1-8 Introduction

• Produce visitor brochures with maps and addition of 750 sf. recommended for the Park Patrol to improve information for walking, bicycling, and other • Support the Adopt-A-Monument program to park security. park activities. raise funds for the conservation and mainte- • Appropriate volunteer opportunities should be • Establish suitable designs for park furnish- nance of the park's monuments and statues. increased. ings including benches, picnic tables, and trash receptacles. Utilities and Infrastructure Park Funding • Improve appropriate park concession • Reconstruct the park water system including • Work with the Mayor's office and the Board services including food and merchandise. replacement of wells and pumps, a new of Supervisors to ensure continued support for • Continue restoration and accessibility underground reservoir and central pumping Golden Gate Park from the City's General improvements of park restrooms. station, and new mainline distribution, Fund. control, and automatic irrigation systems. • Seek new public funding sources that can be Buildings and Monuments • Maintain the use of park wells, and facilitate used for ongoing park maintenance such as a • Continue accessibility improvements of all the use of reclaimed water in the future as a dedicated new tax. park buildings. supplement to well water. • Seek additional funding from private sector • Continue seismic improvement program. • Continue reconstruction of the electrical sources to significantly supplement the • Implement a program to restore and maintain supply system and provision of new lighting traditional public funding. statues and monuments. to improve safety. • The Conservatory, the oldest and most • Continue reconstruction of sewer and drain- Special Area Plans significant building in the park, is in need of age systems. • Restore elements in and around the Music a complete restoration to ensure its contin- Concourse to reestablish its role as a civic ued presence. Maintenance and Operations Areas space within Golden Gate Park, providing a • Redevelop the County Fair Building to • Relocate the log storage area to portion of the proper setting for the cultural institutions better serve the Park and Arboretum. former Richmond Sunset treatment plant site fronting on it. Specific recommendations for • The Sharon Building will continue to serve (or eliminate the need for log storage and the Music Concourse have been deferred as a community art facility. consolidate log chipping operations at com- pending actions to be taken by the Golden • Renovate the Equestrian Center buildings. post area). Gate Park Concourse Authority. • Renovate the Murphy's Mill. • Consolidate the western maintenance head- • Continue improvements in the west end of the • Pursue a preservation alternative for the quarters building and storage sheds, reforest park to unify this area as the park's western Millwright's House. and re-landscape surrounding area. entrance. Establish activity zones that will • Determine a preservation alternative and • Continue to seek opportunities to consolidate bring more park users to this area with renovation plan for the Park Aid Station. other maintenance and operations areas, and landscape improvements, path improvements, • Renovate the tennis clubhouse including minimize impacts with visual screening. activities, and entry treatments. Restore accessibility improvements and an addition Murphy's Mill and pursue a preservation of up to 1,500 sf to enhance revenue poten- Park Management alternative for the Millwright's House includ- tial. • 25 to 35 additional staff (from 1995 staffing) ing a west end pavilion. Open vegetation • Renovate the Powell Street Railway Station are recommended to improve park mainte- along railroad trail and create linear meadows, for a new park entry. nance. connecting the Dutch Windmill, Beach • Renovate the golf clubhouse including an • An expanded role and additional staff are Chalet, soccer fields, and Murphy's Mill. 1-9 GOLDEN GATE PARK MASTER PLAN

Restore park lakes Relocate log storage area * - new clay liners 30th Ave. entrance - reconstruct edge treatments Bison paddock improvements - make one-way into park - improve water quality and flow - new fencing - accessible overlooks Reconstruct Rainbow Falls Reopen Beach Chalet * - interpretive area - visitor center/murals - new feeding barn display on ground floor - habitat enrichment - cafe/restaurant upstairs New underground storage reservoir and pumping station Close access to golf 36th Ave. entrance for reconstructed water system course from JFK Drive - make one-way out of park

Close Bernice Rodgers Way Close portion of Middle Drive West Richmond Sunset treatment plant site - designate for bicycle learning area - demolition of all treatment plant structures * and other recreational uses - one additional soccer/sports field - picnic area and small parking area - reforestation areas Resurface Polo Field bicycle track * Renovate all children's play areas - new site for log storage - improve accessibility - improve safety West end improvements - improve landscape and entry treatments - multi-use path along - restore Murphy's Windmill - open vegetation along railroad trail and create linear meadow - continue reforestation of western windbreak - pursue a preservation alternative for the Millwright's House and surrounding area including a west end pavilion 1-10 Introduction

7th Ave. transit portal - new pedestrian and bicycle entry to JFK Drive Rhododendron Dell - restore Powell Street Railway station - restore planting including canopy - upgrade irrigation system Music Concourse restoration Restore Conservatory of Flowers - recommendations are deferred pending - structural and seismic upgrades action by the Golden Gate Park - upgrade irrigation and mechanical systems Concourse Authority.

Landscape extensions along eastern JFK Drive - defines parking lanes and single travel lanes - prevents passing on right - slows speeds

New design for JFK/Kezar entry - create "T" intersection and remove excess asphalt - narrow to one lane into park - landscaped entry statement - slows speed of vehicles entering the park

Improve design and landscape treatment of entry area *

Close Waller Street - skating area and other recreational uses - special event parking

Close portion of Arguello * Close 7th Ave. entrance Redevelop portion of County * Items marked with asterisk have been completed Fair Building for park and as of date of adoption, October 1998 arboretum visitor center New entry treatment at 9th & Lincoln - improve pedestrian circulation - improve views and visibility of arboretum - announce entry Open views from Strawberry Hill - plaza treatment - entry signs North 0 500 1000 2000 Golden Gate Park Master Plan Summary of Recommendations

1-11 GOLDEN GATE PARK MASTER PLAN

• Restore the site of the former Richmond Sunset treatment plant to park recreational uses includ- Golden Gate Park Facts: ing an additional soccer field, picnic area, a small parking area, log storage, and reforestation areas. Size: Visitation: • Enhance the bison paddock to facilitate improved Golden Gate Park is 1017 acres of Annual use of the park is estimated to aver- care and management of the bison herd, and to parkland including the panhandle. The age between 11 and 15 million visits. It is provide improved viewing opportunities for main body of the park is 3-1/2 miles estimated that one half of the visits are from visitors. Improvements will include new fencing, long by 1/2 mile wide. San Francisco residents, one quarter from accessible overlooks, interpretive area, new Bay Area residents, and one quarter from feeding barn, landscape improvements and There are approximately 680 acres of people from beyond the Bay Area. habitat enrichment. Relocate adjacent log forested area, 130 acres of meadows storage area to a portion of the Richmond Sunset fields, and open areas, 33 acres of Economic Value: treatment plant site. lakes, and 15 miles of drives. Use of the park can be valued in excess of • Improve landscape treatments at park entries. $100 million per year accruing to users of Specific improvements are recommended for the History: the park. following entries: JFK Drive/Kezar Drive, 9th Construction of Golden Gate Park Avenue/Lincoln Way, 7th Avenue/Fulton Street began in 1871 based on a plan by The attraction and retention power of the park (railway shelter), and the western park entries William Hammond Hall. The site was for tourists creates an economic impact on (Great Highway, Lincoln Way at MLK Dr.). a part of the newly annexed “Outside San Francisco in excess of half a billion Lands” and consisted primarily of sand dollars a year. Implementation hills. The design was based on park • Many Master Plan projects are being funded over theory espoused by Frederick Law The park’s effect on surrounding real estate a period of years by the 1992 Golden Gate Park Olmsted. Much of Hall’s original plan values creates premiums conservatively Infrastructure Bond, including projects related to: survives, providing the framework of estimated in the range of half a billion to one accessibility improvements, pathways, park today’s park. The design intent en- billion dollars (and property tax revenues of entries, water distribution and supply system, dures, as does the way the park is used, $5 to $10 million per year). lighting, other utilities, lakes and water features, the activities it supports, and people’s reforestation, erosion control, and restrooms. love for the park. • Generate support for Master Plan projects with citizen involvement through continuing task forces, working groups, and volunteer opportuni- ties. • Additional funding sources must be developed for the long-term survival of the park. Building a constituency for Golden Gate Park will be critical to winning political support for increased fund- ing.

1-12