INTRODUCTION

Golden State Park,

San Francisco
1. Located in San Francisco, California, United States, is a large urban
park consisting of 1,017 acres (412 ha) of public grounds.

2. Administered by the San Francisco Recreation & Parks

Department, which began in 1871 to oversee the development of
Golden Gate Park.

3. Configured as a rectangle, it is similar in shape to but 20 percent

larger than Central Park in New York City, to which it is often
compared.

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TRANSITIONS

Golden State Park,

San Francisco
1. Golden Gate Park has been a part of San Francisco for
over 120 years. Over that time, the city and the lives of
its citizens have changed dramatically

2. Today, people still come to Golden Gate Park to

picnic, walk, bicycle, to feed the ducks, to see the
bison, and "as a relief and counterpoise to the urban
conditions “

3. This is an enduring tribute to the vision and design

that created the park. Golden Gate Park is both a 19th
century "pleasure ground" and a modern urban park.

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 DEVELOPMENT
San Francisco Golden Gate Park

18th Century
In San Francisco's Gold Rush days, the area that is
now Golden Gate Park was marked on maps as part
of the "great sand waste," and untrammeled
"Outside Lands," located well beyond the reach of
the city's masses.
The 1860’s
Began to feel the need for a spacious public park
similar to Central Park, which was then taking shape
in New York City. The idea of a public pleasure
ground for use by all classes of people was a new
and democratic concept.

1866 A.D.
Frederick Law Olmsted, traveling in California in
1866, proposed a public park for San Francisco to
enhance the health and morality of the citizenry, and Olmsted envisioned a series of parks:
attract capital and investment of the business a promenade across the city to the bay, parade ground, and
community. pleasure ground in sheltered Hayes Valley.
 February 15, 1871

1870-1872
Topographical survey of Golden Gate Park and
its approach. Surveyor and
engineer William Hammond Hall won the
contract to survey park land, completed and in
Grading, fencing, drainage and irrigation work,
August that year was
and development of a park nursery. The
appointed as engineer of the park.
following year, 22,000 hardy and quick growing
trees were set out, park roads built, and visitors
began to arrive.

1870 Zoning

State legislature passed "An

Act to provide for the
improvement of Public Parks
in the City of San Francisco."
Hall started work on the 270 acres in the eastern
end of the park, a locale suitable for features
such as a picnic ground, gardens, play and
recreation area, and the avenue of approach now
known as the Panhandle.
 The 1880’s

Golden Gate Park welcomed pedestrians, ladies

and gentlemen in fine carriages, equestrians, and
hordes of bicyclists after 1880.

1880-1890

Park use reflected the recreational activities of

Facilities arose on park land to attract
all San Franciscans, and included cart
visitors, including a conservatory erected
carriages, floral displays, picnicking, croquet,
on North Drive in 1877, an adjacent music
tennis etc.
stand completed in 1882, and the
children's quarters and playground,
dedicated in 1888.
 The 1910-1920’S
1880-1890
1. In 1910, voters approved a proposal to move
Exerted positive influence on the morals of
the California Academy of Sciences into
the common citizen and contributed to
the park.
physical and mental health. The concept of
parks as a vehicle for social reform continued
2. In 1915, San Francisco hosted the Panama-
into the next century, but park use moved
Pacific International Exposition to
gradually from aesthetic appreciation to
celebrate the opening of the Panama
utilitarianism.
Canal.

1960’S

Emerged as peaceful neutral terrain in

troubled urban America. Golden Gate Park
became San Francisco's common ground, a
gathering place
and magnet for the counterculture.
Topographic map from the survey by William Hammond Hall. Printed in the
First Biennial Report of the San Francisco Park Commissioners, 1870-71.

1. Took on the task of transforming the sandy, sparsely vegetated 1,017 acre park into a pleasure ground which would convey
"warmth, repose, and enlivenment" to citizens.

2. Envisioned a woodland forest on the 600 acres west of Strawberry Hill, but first the extensive sand drifts had to be reclaimed with
vegetation.
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3. Experiments revealed that lupine seed sown with fast-growing barley successfully sheltered delicate lupine strands from
harsh winds
1906 Earthquake reliefs

MAGNITUDE

7.9
1. Served as a place of refuge for thousands of displaced citizens in the
wake of the earthquake. Refugee tent camps sprang up in the parks.
RICHTER SCALE

2. 20,000 people in military style encampments, and 16,000 of the

20,000 refugees were living at the Presidio. DAMAGES

3. Not only was the standard of military organization high, but the social
400 CASUALTIES

organization was also up to an acceptable standard despite the

MILLION
3000
DEATHS
aftermath of the earthquake and fires. Reports indicate that small
communities formed within the tent neighborhoods.

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8
 MASTERPLAN PHASES

Issues
Identification
1. Issues and concerns were identified through meetings with park staff,
meetings with the Task Force, public meetings, and with a
questionnaire distributed with the Master Plan newsletter.

2. The purpose of this part of the Master Plan is to assess the range of
ideas, opinions, and visions that people have for the park. From these
ideas the Master Plan identified where there are common themes, where
there is community consensus, and where there are differing opinions
that will require a decision-making process.
Community was considered an expert in the first phase of problem
identification.

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 MASTERPLAN PHASES

Assessment of Existing Conditions

and Needs

1. All park elements were examined to understand the existing

condition of the park. This assessment identified deficiencies and
needs in the park, and helped to focus which elements in the park
would receive special attention in the recommendations phase of the
Master Plan.

2. The assessment of existing conditions and needs is, in part, a distillation

of more detailed background papers that were completed for this
Master Plan.
The Victorian greenhouse was imported from Europe and
assembled in 1878. San Francisco, California
3. Circulation: forest landscape and wildlife; geology, ground water
and recycled water; economic issues; historic structures; and a park
history and bibliography.

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Group 3 Landscape
 MASTERPLAN PHASES

Assessment and Revision of the Existing

Objectives and Policies

1. The Objectives and Policies provide a framework and guidelines for

park management decisions. They were developed through an
extensive public process in 1979 and amended in 1985 with adoption
of the Golden Gate Park Transportation Management Plan.

2. Some of the conditions and issues have changed, and some of the
policy actions have been completed or are outdated. Revised through a
public process that included review and suggestions by many groups
and interested parties involved in the planning process.

Local people in Golden Gate Park at the 1915 Panama-Pacific

International Exposition in San Francisco

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 MASTERPLAN PHASES

Recommendations
and Action Plans

1. The final element of the Master Plan included specific

recommendations and action plans to correct deficiencies and
address problems identified during the Master Plan process.

2. The recommendations include design changes, management

recommendations, and strategies for funding and implementation.

3. The recommendations received environmental review prior to adoption

of the Master Plan by the Recreation and Park Commission.

Array of recommendations were made for the correction of the

Masterplan in various phases.

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 MASTERPLAN PHASES

Implementation

1. The recommendations of the Master Plan was implemented over a

period of several years. Many of the capital projects identified was
funded over a period of years by the 1992 Golden Gate Park
Infrastructure Bond.

2. Continued public participation was important for implementation, as

some recommendations will be accomplished through increased
community involvement.

3. Developing new sources of public funding, through a new tax or other

mechanism, was important for implementing the Master Plan and
ensuring the long-term survival of Golden Gate Park.
The Friends of Recreation and Parks nonprofit support
organization played part in implementing some of the
recommendations through fund-raising and management
of projects.

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Group 3 Landscape
 MASTERPLAN PHASES

Implementation
1. The Master Plan was adopted by the Recreation and Park City:
Commission after certification of the Environmental Impact Report. 01
Board of Supervisors, Landmarks Board,
Individual projects are subject to review by the Recreation and Park.
Department of City Planning, Department of
Some projects, as appropriate, were subjected to approvals from one or
Building Inspection, Fire Department and Arts
more of the agencies and approval bodies listed below.
Commission.

State: Federal:
02 03
1. Coastal Commission - for lake rehabilitation 1. Army Corps of Engineers - as required
in the coastal zone regarding lake, water course or wetland
2. Department of Fish and Game - review of projects
lake rehabilitation projects 2. Fish and Wildlife Service

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 15Park
The Development of Golden Gate
1870-1889
 16Park
The Development of Golden Gate
1890-1899
 17Park
The Development of Golden Gate
1900-1909
The Development of Golden Gate Park 18

1910-1929
 19Park
The Development of Golden Gate
1930-1939
The Development of Golden Gate20Park
1940-present
 The Development of Golden Gate Park
Summary of Recommendations

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The Development of Golden Gate Park
Land Use Plan

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 C O M M U N I T Y D E R I VA T I O N

POLICY DRAFT

OBJECTIVE I OBJECTIVE II OBJECTIVE III OBJECTIVE IV OBJECTIVE V

LAND USE AND LANDSCAPE PARK CIRCULATION BUILDINGS, RECREATIONAL USES

ACTIVITIES
Ensure that land uses and
activities in Golden Gate Park
contribute to the
mission and purpose of the park.
The activities within a designated
land use
zone should be appropriate to the
PRESERVATION AND
RENEWAL
Provide for the protection and
renewal of the park landscape
STRUCTURES, AND AND FACILITIES
Create and maintain a MONUMENTS
parkwide system of Ensure that recreational uses of
Minimize the impacts that
recreational roadways, Golden Gate Park are appropriate
buildings and monuments have on
pathways, to the park
the park
and trails. Minimize motor environment and purpose.
landscape, and preserve the open
vehicular traffic.
space of Golden Gate Park.
Maintain and

land use purpose. preserve historic buildings and

structures.

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 C O M M U N I T Y D E R I VA T I O N

POLICY DRAFT

OBJECTIVE VI OBJECTIVE VII

PARK MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY

AND SECURITY INVOLVEMENT AND
PROCESS
Ensure that park management
implements adopted policies, Foster community participation in
preserves the park's resources, and guiding the future of Golden Gate
operates and maintains the park Park.
efficiently.

IMPORTANT

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Group 3 Landscape
 MAIN ENTRANCE AND
ACCESSIBILITY
The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
has mandated guidelines and timetables for
improving the accessibility of public facilities. The
primary goal of the ADA Task Force was to develop a
transition plan that included a list of specific
projects, with costs and priorities.

The ADA Task Force developed the following general

policies regarding accessibility:

• All restrooms in Golden Gate Park will be brought

into compliance with ADA.
• An accessible pedestrian loop system will be
developed with loops of varying lengths that connect
park facilities.
• Accessible street parking will be provided adjacent
to facilities that do not have parking lots associated
with them.
• Accessible park entrances will be developed in
association with existing and future accessible
transit stops.
• Accessibility projects will include an examination of
path of travel from parking and public transit, as well
as an examination of appropriate signs.
 26

PATHWAYS IN THE PARK

 VISITORS FACILITIES
A need has been identified for better visitor information for both resident Information Kiosk
users and tourists. Visitor centers and information kiosks would provide
visitor information and could serve as staging areas for tours and other There is also a need to provide
services. Visitor centers should occur within existing park buildings and visitor information in the Music
serve an educational purpose, with information and exhibits on park Concourse, which has the largest
features, history, and natural resources. These may also provide concentration of visitors. A small
opportunities for generating revenue through retailing, fees for services such information kiosk (less than 75
as tours, and fund raising appeals. The only existing visitor information is square feet) would provide park
available informally at the McLaren Lodge reception desk. information, a meeting place for
tours, sales of appropriate park
items, and opportunities for park
Visitors centers fund-raising. A kiosk will also
There are two visitor centers proposed: one in the eastern park and one in
provide visibility for the park
the western park. These would be destination points that attract visitors to
conservancy organization. The
them. Due to limited department funds, a park partner organization (such as
kiosk could be staffed, but
the Friends of Recreation and Parks) could play a role in the development
should be designed to also
and operation of visitor centers. The visitor center could also provide an
provide information when not
important visible presence for the Recreation and Park Department and the
staffed (possibly including an
park partner organization. Visitor centers have potential for generating
interactive computer). The most
revenue through the sale of park-related merchandise. This revenue may be
likely strategic location for an
important for funding operation of the visitor information services.
information kiosk is in the paved
There are several possible locations for an eastern park visitor center, all
area between the Tea Garden
within existing buildings. Selection of a visitor center location may be
and the Asian Art Museum.
influenced by many factors including the relocation of the Asian Art Museum, 27
reconstruction of the DeYoung Museum, and redevelopment of the County
Fair Building.
 VISITORS CENTERS
• County Fair Building. A park information point may
occur within a proposed redevelopment of the entire
building that would serve both Strybing Arboretum and
the park. An orientation center is proposed for Strybing
Arboretum that can include general park information.
The center would include a staffed information desk,
exhibit space, and retail area for horticultural and park-
related merchandise. Short-term parking and a bus
pull-out will improve access of the facility.
• Pioneer Log Cabin. The recently renovated Pioneer
Log Cabin is currently serving as the Recreation and
Park Department's permit office. As a public office, it
also provides limited park information.
• Conservatory. The entry area of the Conservatory
building could serve as a small park visitor center. The
landmark building is the signature building of Golden
Gate Park and has high visitor volumes.
• DeYoung Museum. An opportunity may arise to
develop a visitor center in cooperation with the
DeYoung Museum. The relocation of the Asian Art
Museum, and the reconstruction of the DeYoung
Museum may present an opportunity to develop a
visitor center in a small portion of the space. The
Music Concourse has a high volume of visitors
and has parking.
• Pioneer Log Cabin. The recently renovated
Pioneer Log Cabin is currently serving as the
Recreation and Park Department's permit
office. As a public office, it also provides
limited park information.
• McLaren Lodge. McLaren Lodge will continue to
provide information at the reception desk. The
building currently does not have space for
additional visitor services.
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 PARK CONCESSION
Throughout the park's history, concessions have
played an important role in providing visitor
services in Golden Gate Park. It is generally
more cost effective for the City to contract out
for some services than to provide them. Food
vendors, boat rentals, tennis complex and golf
course operation are examples of long-standing
services that have been provided by
concessions. The Recreation and Park
Department receives a percentage of revenue,
or a flat fee, from concessions. Concession
contracts are awarded on the basis of
competitive bids. In recent years the revenue
generated from concessions has play an
increasing role in supplementing the
Department's budget. Revenue from
concessions is estimated at over $1.1 million
for fiscal year 1993-94.
Issues
It is important to balance concessions and the need to generate
revenue with preservation of the park landscape and experience.
Concessions should provide services that are recreational or
recreation serving, and that enhance the visitors experience.
Most people are pleased to have the services provided by the
concessions, but there is a limit to commercialization and its
appropriate- ness in the park setting. There have been concerns
expressed about concessions that cater primarily to tourists and
offer typical souvenir sales without much relevance to the park.
The location and appearance of some food concessions has also
been an issue. A balance is needed between the need to increase
revenue and what is determined to be appropriate for Golden
Gate Park. There have been recent efforts made to upgrade the
appearance of concessions and the services offered.
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 PARK INFORMATION SIGN
Historically, signs have been kept to a minimum
in the park because they conflict with the
pastoral nature of the landscape. With the
addition of more facilities in different parts of the
park, directional signs were added. Growing use
of the park led to the need for more regulations,
and more signs to inform visitors about the
regulations. The automobile brought with it new
signs and an entire motor vehicle code to govern
their use.
Today, there are a great number of signs in the
park (a 1984 sign survey in the park identified
542 signs that were visible along park road
ways). They were added case by case as needed,
rather than by any plan. The signs include those
mounted on poles, freestanding, and pavement
signs and generally fall into the following
categories:
Park Regulations.
Signs relating to public safety and park
protection in regard to bicyclists, skaters,
pedestrians, equestrians and other nonvehicle
activities. These signs are maintained by
Recreation and Park staff. Regulation signs
are made of various materials, mounted in
various manners (including on tree trunks) or
painted on pavement.
Traffic and Parking.
Parking regulations. As public roads, the use
of these signs is governed by the California
Vehicle Code and they are installed and
maintained by the San Francisco
departments of Public Works and Parking
and Traffic. Signs relating to all vehicle
traffic and vehicles.
Park Feature Signs.
These are signs that indicate locations,
facilities, places, street names, or
provide directions to them. They are
maintained by Recreation and Park staff.
There are three main design types,
including brown metal signs (standard
recreation signs), green wood panels
hung from metal brackets on poles, and
wood panels between wood posts (used
at some facility entrances).
Pedestal Maps.
The pedestal maps are relatively recent
additions to the park's signs. They
consist of an illustrative park map
mounted on a concrete pedestal. They
are placed in strategic locations and
receive frequent use by visitors. The
design is vandal resistant.
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35
Park Landscape
• Most prominent feature
• What attracts people to the park
• Sum of many components:
terrain, forests, meadows, horticultural displays,
lakes, athletic fields, and climate.
• The buildings, structures and roads are also
components of the landscape in its larger
context.
• Landscape design purpose –to provide a setting
for relaxation and escape from the harsh urban
environment.
36
Park Landscape
Although it appears very natural, the park
landscape is almost completely manmade,
and requires much more management and
maintenance than a truly natural landscape.
All trees were planted except for oak trees
and a few other native trees in the northeast
portion of
the park.
All of the lakes are manmade.
The meadows were created in low valleys and
sheltered by trees to create warmer
microclimates.
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Landscape Design Framework
• The Original Park Site • Multistory Landscape
• Spatial Relationships • Planting
• Visual Characteristics • Lakes and Water Features

38
The Original Park Site
Original site conditions before construction of the park
provides insight into how the plan was developed.
"The Golden Gate Park contains about 1,000 acres, of
which 270 acres at the eastern end, is good arable land,
covered in many places with trees and shrubbery; this
portion may at once be converted into an attractive resort.
The remaining 730 acres, stretching down to the ocean
beach, is a waste of drifting sand.“ First Biennial Report, This photo from the 1880s shows the sand dunes that would
later become a part of Golden Gate Park. Clearly, it took
immense labor to transform the land from sand into a lush
1870-71 green space

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Spatial Relationships

• Complex amalgamation of forests and open spaces

• The forests were planted, primarily on the slopes and hills, to
provide shelter from the harsh winds for the meadows that
were located in the valleys.
• The relationship of forest and meadow, the convoluted edges
of the forest, and the vistas they create, contribute to the
visual interest of the park
• It is also intended to lead the eye to the space beyond and
suggest the continuation of open spaces out of view

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 Visual Characteristics
• Visual characteristics such as texture, color, form, and plant species contribute to the unique character of Golden Gate Park.

• The mature pine and cypress trees create the park's unique skyline
of dark green horizontal silhouettes.
• The park's curving roads and paths were designed to provide
changing vistas as visitors travel along them.
• Key principles was to provide contrast and relief from the urban
environment. This was done by creating rural, pastoral, or
wilderness landscapes and screening the edges from views to
adjacent urban areas

41
Multistory Landscape
Park landscape is characterized by a multistory or layered landscape with small shrubs and understory at the
bottom, large shrubs and smaller trees as a middle layer, and tall canopy trees providing an over story

42
Forest Canopy in Golden State Park

43
Plantings
Perimeter Planting
The planting around the perimeter of the park was designed to shield the visitors from views of the city, so their minds can
remain free from the pressures of urban life.
Screen Planting
Most park buildings and maintenance facilities are partially screened from view by planting of dense screening vegetation
Entry Planting
At important entries the perimeter landscape is opened to provide an inviting view into the park.

The park's landscape is intended to be primarily evergreen, except in special horticultural areas and gardens.

44
 Plants and Trees
• A diverse collection of plants, from all over the world
Like the Sydney golden wattle  from Australia, were some of the first planted in the park by William Hammond Hall to
stabilize the sand dunes. 
• The California live oak is the only tree native to the park. Some of the oldest plants in the park are the coast live oaks
• The plants that are currently in the park are non-native, some of which are considered invasive species.

Sydney golden wattle

45

California live oak

 Plants and Trees

• Many have disrupted the ecosystem and harm birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects in the park Blue gum eucalyptus,
Monterey pine and Monterey cypress were the most commonly planted trees in the park during the late 1800s
• Redwoods were planted in the park during the 1880s and can be found all around the park
• Tree ferns were planted early on by and continue to thrive in the park.

Blue gum eucalyptus Monterey pine Redwoods Tree ferns

46
Lakes and Water Features
The park's naturalistic water features are an integral part of the picturesque landscape.
The design intent was to make them appear as if they had always been a part of the landscape, rather than
constructed.
Several of the lakes were constructed by enlarging seasonal ponds.

47
Lakes and Water Features
Stow Lake  Lily Pond Huntington
Spreckels Lake Bamboo Pond Waterfall
Elk Glen Lake Dwarf Conifer Pond Rainbow Waterfall
Mallard Lake
Metson Lake
Chain of Lakes
North Lake Stow Lake surrounds the prominent Strawberry Hill, now an island with an
Middle Lake electrically pumped waterfall

South Lake 

The Spreckels Lake Model Yacht Facility, is an artificial reservoir behind an

earthen dam and adjoining clubhouse situated on the northern side the reservoir
was built for the use of model boaters of all ages, interests, and skill levels,
designed specifically for racing model sail 48
 Wildlife Habitat
• The park's forests, meadows, and lakes provide food, nesting sites, and cover for many animals, particularly resident and
migrating birds
• The greatest diversity of wildlife, and the wildlife of greatest interest to the public, is found in the park's avian creatures.
• Birds, both resident and migrant, have numerous habitat requirements which the park has provided over the years

Bison Paddock have been kept in Golden

It is estimated that over 100 Mountain lion occasionally roam the park Great blue herons has been
Gate Park since 1891, when a small herd
coyotes live in San Francisco continuously returning to the park 49
was purchased by the park commission
during the breeding season 
 CIRCULATION PLAN

The Circulation Plan proposes actions to implement Objective III –

“ to create and maintain a system of recreational pathways, trails, and roadways where the order of priority should
be to accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles for the purpose of enjoying the park."

Park Circulation of the Golden Gate Mater Plan :

 The plan has gone through a process of issue identification, policy development and definition of potential actions
to implement the policies.

Policy Development

The policies provide more detailed ideas about each circulation component. Among the goals of the policies are the
following:

 minimize the impact of motor vehicles on the park experience, and

 insure access to all, especially the mobility impaired, senior citizens, and families with children.

 address the need for access of all travel modes in the park, with priorities placed in the following order:
1. Pedestrian
2. Bicycles
3. Motor Vehicles

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 CIRCULATION PLAN

The Circulation Action Plan :

The plan seeks to implement the circulation Objectives and Policies, and strives
to achieve balance between the following goals:

 to reduce the impacts of motor vehicles, particularly those that are using the
park as an east-west through route or for parking only,

 To improve access by people coming to the park for recreational purposes,

and to improve access by modes such as pedestrians, bicycles, and transit,

 to improve accessibility to park features for all, including seniors, persons Major Roadway
with disabilities, and families with young children.

The Circulation Action Plan contains three maps :

1. Major Roadway Modifications

2. Other Actions

3. Bicycle Circulation Plan

Bicycle Circulation Plan

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MAJOR ROADWAYS
52
BICYCLE CIRCULATION PLAN 53
 CIRCULATION PLAN
TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES :

 Create a "T" intersection at the junction of Kezar Drive and JFK Drive.

KEZAR DRIVE/ JFK DRIVE ENTRY 54

 Create landscape extensions in the parking lanes on JFK Drive between Kezar
Drive and the Rose Garden.

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 CIRCULATION PLAN

Commuter Parking Restriction :

The existing regulation of no parking before 9:00 AM on MLK Drive has not been effective in preventing commuter
parking. Therefore, 3- and 4-hour parking limits are proposed in the eastern park.

 4-hour limits near the museums

 3-hour limits on Conservatory Drive, Bowling Green Drive, Kezar Drive, MLK Drive from 9th Ave. to Kezar
Drive, and JFK Drive from Bowling Green Drive to Kezar Drive.

These restrictions will limit commuter parking and improve access and parking availability for park users.

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3- And 4- HOURS PARKING LIMIT

Accessibility
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Task Force developed the following general policies regarding
accessibility:
1. Hazardous conditions will be corrected.
2. All restrooms in Golden Gate Park will be brought into compliance with
ADA.
3. An accessible pedestrian loop system will be developed with loops of
varying lengths that connect park facilities.
4. Accessible street parking will be provided adjacent to facilities that
do not have parking lots associated with them. Accessible parking,
whether in a lot or on the street, should be brought into compliance with
ADA, and City and County of San Francisco standards including path of
travel to the facility.
5. Accessible park entrances will be developed in association with
existing and future accessible transit stops.
6. Accessibility projects will be undertaken in conjunction with other
projects funded by the 1992 Golden Gate Park Infrastructure Bond.
Whenever possible, projects should be grouped together to maximize
economy of scale.
CIRCULATION PLAN
7. Major facilities, which are complex, attract large numbers of visitors,
and include several activities, will be designated as "special study
areas." The special study areas will be looked at as a whole in rela-
tionship to parking, pedestrian connections, accessible pedestrian
loops, public transit, and path of travel.
8. Accessibility projects will include an examination of path of travel
from parking and public transit, as well as an examination of
appropriate signs.
9. A coordinated sign system should be developed for Golden Gate
Park that meets accessibility guidelines.
10. Standard details should be developed to ensure consistent solutions to
common problems such as pathways, curb cuts, and restrooms.
11. Facilities and programs in Golden Gate Park which have large
numbers of visitors or are unique will be given a high priority.
57
 CIRCULATION PLAN

ACCESSIBLE CIRCULATION AND

PARKING

58
59

Pedestrian Circulation :
 Golden Gate Park was created to be the perfect place
for walking out of doors in an attractive setting.
 There are numerous paved pedestrian paths, both
adjacent to roadways and separate from them.
 There are also many unpaved trails throughout the park.
 The park is generally well served by walkways.
 The pedestrian circulation policy from the Golden Gate
Park Objectives and Policies states the following:
"Provide an accessible pedestrian circulation
system that promotes safe and enjoyable
pedestrian activities."
CIRCULATION PLAN
Bicycle Circulation :
 Bicycling is one of the primary ways that people enjoy the park.
 Bicyclists experience the park as it was designed—by traveling through it
and experiencing the changing vistas afforded by the curving drives,
forests, and meadows.
 The park serves as a primary transportation route for bicyclists in the
western part of the city.
 The bicycle circulation plan recognizes that there are several types of
bicyclists, each with differing needs providing opportunities for cyclists of
all abilities.
 The bicycle circulation policy from the Golden Gate Park Objectives and
Policies states the following:
"Provide for the safe and convenient use of the bicycle as a
means of recreation and transportation to, within, and through
Golden Gate Park. Provide continuity with the City bikeways
plan."
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61
 62

Monuments and Statues

Monuments and Statues
Mapping
D E TA I L I N G

Major Monuments
And Statues
• There are over three dozen monuments and statues sited around
Golden Gate Park by many noted sculptors.

• Each one tells a story or has a history lesson. Most were

donated by groups or persons wishing to make a
commemoration in a public place.

• Park purists like John McLaren and Frederick Law Olmsted

objected to placing statues in the park landscape because they
would detract from the pastoral nature of the landscape and its
role as an urban escape.

• The Park Commission (later the Recreation and Park

Commission) was concerned that the statues and monuments
would become maintenance problems.

• Today Golden Gate Park has a rich sculptural heritage, and a

problem in maintaining these works of art properly.

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D E TA I L I N G

National AIDS
Memorial Grove
• In 1988 a few San Francisco residents belonging to
communities hit hard by the AIDS epidemic envisioned a place
of remembrance for those who had lost their lives to AIDS.

• Located at 856 Stanyan Street, in the eastern portion of Golden

Gate Park, the Grove stretches across seven acres of land.

• The National AIDS Memorial Grove is a living tribute to all

whose lives have been touched by AIDS, and a dedicated space
where people can gather to heal, hope, and remember.

• Its purpose is to ensure that those who have suffered from the
AIDS epidemic — both those who have died and those who
have shared their struggle — are not forgotten.

65
D E TA I L I N G

National AIDS
Memorial Grove
• Then in 1999, it earned the Rudy Bruner Silver Medal Award
for excellence in the urban environment.

• Due to its serene environment of redwoods, maples, ferns,

benches, logs, and boulders, this memorial remains a place
where people go to grieve, hope, heal, and remember.

• Located at the Dogwood Crescent the Circle of Friends is the

heart of the grove.

• The Circle of Friends has over 1,500 names inscribed on its

flagstone ground which represent lives lost to AIDS.

• Funded privately and tended by over 500 of volunteers, The

National AIDS Memorial Grove remains an important
sanctuary for remembrance.

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D E TA I L I N G

The Shakespeare
Garden
• The Shakespeare Garden is a relatively small "17th century
classical garden" located directly southwest of the California
Academy of Sciences.

• It is a tribute to William Shakespeare and his works,

decorated with flowers and plants that are mentioned in his
plays.

• The entrance is an ornate metal gate that says "Shakespeare

Garden" intertwined with vines.

• Directly past the entrance is a walkway overarched with trees

and lined with small flowers and a sundial in the center.

• The main area has a large moss tree and benches. At the end
of the garden there is a wooden padlocked shelf containing a
bust of William Shakespeare himself.

67
D E TA I L I N G

The Shakespeare
Garden

• The cast was made and given to the garden by George

Bullock in 1918 and has remained behind locked doors since
around 1950 to prevent people from cutting off pieces of the
statue to melt down.

• Around the bust, there are four plaques, originally six, with
quotes from Shakespeare.

• The missing two were stolen and most likely sold and melted
down so the thieves could make a profit from the bronze the
plaques were made from.

• Alice Eastwood, the director of botany from the California

Academy of Sciences at the time, came up with the idea for
the garden in 1928, and it was carried out by Katherine Agnes
Chandler.

• The garden is a popular spot for weddings. There are over

200 plants from Shakespeare's works.
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Dahlia Garden Rose Garden
A N A LY S I S

Monuments and Statues and

their Deterioration
• Air pollution, salty sea air, and moisture combine to
form compounds that are corrosive to bronze.

• Air pollution, salty sea air, and moisture combine to

form compounds that are corrosive to bronze. Proximity
to vegetation and irrigation creates a moist environment
that encourages corrosion.

• Stone is also subjected to deterioration.

• Mortar is weakened and moss and small plants grow in

cracks, further weakening the structure.

• Graffiti and vandalism are also problems.

70
A N A LY S I S

Monuments and Statues and

their Preservation
• Each monument has been surveyed to assess its condition and establish conservation recommendations.

• Bronze pieces can be restored by removing corrosion, replacing with stabilized patina and then coated
with protective layers that will resist continued degradation.

• To address maintenance of outdoor sculpture in Golden Gate Park, the San Francisco Art Commission
has joined with the Recreation and Park Commission to establish the Adopt-a-Monument Program.

• The program was begun to provide a means of raising funds for the restoration and maintenance of the
park's outdoor sculpture.

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Adopt-a-Monument Program
PROBLEMS

Homeless Population
• Around 40 to 200 of these 7,000 people were estimated reside in the park as of 2013.

• Around half of the homeless population in Golden Gate Park are short-term residents that leave after a
certain amount of time, and the other half are more long-term residents.

• Short-term residents tend to be younger, while permanent residents tend to be older, military veterans.

• The City of San Francisco has grappled with what to do about camps of homeless people living in
Golden Gate Park, which have been criticized as unsanitary, and "demoralizing" for park users and
workers.

• The camps have been described by journalists as full of garbage, broken glass, hypodermic needles,
and human excrement, and the people in them are described as suffering from serious addictions and
often behaving aggressively with police and park gardeners.

73
• There have been occasional incidents of violence against homeless people in the park, including the 2010 park beating to death of a homeless man and an
attack on park visitors by dogs owned by a park resident, also in 2010.

• Tactics have included information campaigns designed to inform homeless residents about city services available to help them; waking sleeping homeless
people and making them leave the park

Two Park Codes directly relate to GGP dwellers:

Section 3.12: prohibits camping in any City park
Section 3.13: prohibits sleeping in any park between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
R E C C O M E N D AT I O N S

Homeless Population
Finding 1: City agencies lack specific data on the characteristics of GGP dwellers, which prevents
accurate profiling of individual problems and needs.

Recommendation 1: The City should formalize a system to gather information on the characteristics of
GGP dwellers and why they live in the Park.

Finding 2: With better information about GGP dwellers, their histories, and their needs, the City would
be better able to move these individuals out of the Park, into a more stable situation.

Recommendation 2: Information about GGP dwellers should be used to tailor support services to
specific populations, whose age and circumstances affect their needs and acceptance of services.

Finding 3: Because the City does not track individual park dwellers and their interactions with social
services, it is difficult to determine the efficiency and success of outreach efforts in reducing the park
population.

Recommendation 3: The City should establish a system to track its outreach efforts among park dwellers
and use the information to evaluate effectiveness in reducing the number of park dwellers.

75
R E C C O M E N D AT I O N S

Homeless Population
Finding 4: Limitations on outreach efforts by EST, SFPD, and Park Patrol to GGP encampments has an
inhibiting effect on positive results.

Recommendation 4: The Engagement Specialist Team (EST) should conduct in-person, proactive
outreach to park dwellers at different times of the day and night in order to maximize their efforts.

Finding 5: Signs and public information about the Park closure time are inconsistent and confusing.

Recommendation 5: References to the Park’s closure time on all park signs, brochures and City websites
should be made consistent with the Park Code and Rec & Park Commission resolutions.

Finding 6: Shopping carts facilitate moving personal items into the Park and setting up an encampment.

Recommendation 6: The San Francisco Park Code should ban shopping carts in GGP in order to
discourage living in the Park and to reduce litter.

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 Conservatory of
Flowers

Beach Chalet
Prayer Book Cross
Dutch Windmill

Carousel

Murphy
Windmill

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Structures and Buildings

Structures and Buildings

Conservatory of
Flowers and Nature
 Was opened in 1879 and stands as the oldest building in
Golden Gate Park.

 It is one of the largest conservatories as well as one of the

few large Victorian greenhouses in the United states.

 Built with traditional wood and glass panes, the

conservatory stands at 12,000 Sq. Ft. and houses 1,700
species of tropical, rare and aquatic plants.

 Though it wasn’t originally constructed, William

Hammond Hall included the idea of conservatory in his
original concept for the design of the park which was later
adopted with the help of twenty seven of the wealthiest
business owners of San Francisco.

78
Structures and Buildings

Conservatory of
Flowers and Nature
 Potted Plant Gallery follows Victorian architecture and 19 th
century ideas of displaying tropical plants in non-tropical
parts of the world.

 Lowlands Gallery contains plants from the tropics of South

America (near the equator).

 Highlands Gallery contains native plants from South to

Central America.

 Aquatic Plants room is similar in conditions as those near

Amazon River.

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Conservatory of
Flowers and Nature

Potted Plants

Structures and Buildings

Conservatory of
Flowers and Nature

Highland Tropics

Structures and Buildings

Conservatory of
Flowers and Nature

Aquatic Plants

Structures and Buildings

Conservatory of
Flowers and Nature

Special Exhibits

Structures and Buildings

Development of Conservatory Valley
Development of Conservatory Valley
 Structures and Buildings

Beach Chalet
 Two story Spanish colonial revival style building at far
wester end of the park.

 Was designed by Willis Polk which opened in 1925 as a

city-run restaurant that included changing rooms for beach
visitors.

 Replaced older building called the Golden Gate Park

Chalet, built in 1892, that stood on the opposite side of the
Great Highway.

 After several years of closure which followed a renovation

completed in 1996, the building now houses Beach Chalet
Brewery and Restaurant on the second floor opened by
Lara and Gar Truppelli and Timon Malloy.

 Its sister restaurant, the Park Chalet, is located at the back

of the Beach Chalet with a dining room facing the park and
outdoor dining on a terrace and lawn area.

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Beach Chalet Murals

87

Structures and Buildings

Structures and Buildings

Dutch Windmill

 Before the construction of its windmills, Golden Gate Park paid the Spring Valley Water Works up to 40 cents per
1000 gallons of water.

 To avoid this expense the North (Dutch) Windmill was commissioned in 1902 when Superintendent John McLaren
deemed the Park’s pumping plant insufficient to supply additional water essential to life of the Park.

 A survey and inspection of vast area west of Strawberry Hill revealed a large flow of water towards the ocean where
the North Windmill was constructed to reclaim the fresh well water back into the park.

 The North Windmill was installed, standing 75 feet tall with 102 footlong sails.

 The windmill pumps water an elevation of 200 feet with the capacity of 30,000 gallons of water per pump per hour.
The water is pumped from the valley into the reservoir on Strawberry Hill from where the water runs downhill into
Falls and Stow Lake.

88
 Murphy Windmill
 Situated south of Dutch Windmill on the western edge of Golden Gate Park which
was completed in 1908.

 Samuel G. Murphy provided $20,000 from his own means to erect the windmill.

 The South Windmill (Murphy Windmill) stands as the largest in the world, having
the longest sails in the world since its construction, with the ability to lift 40,000
gallons of water per hour.

 Electric water pumps replaced the need for windmills in 1913 and the mills fell into
disrepair. By 1950s, the mills were in the state of ruins.

 In 1964, the San Francisco Citizens Commission for the Restoration for the Golden
Gate Park Windmills was formed led by Eleanor Rossi Crabtree.

 Dutch Windmill was restored in 1981 where as the plans for Murphy Mill
restoration began in 2002, with a reopening in 2012.

Structures and Buildings

Statues

90

Structures and Buildings

Statues

91

Structures and Buildings

Prayer Book Cross
 Prayer Book Cross, also known as Drake’s Cross is a sandstone Celtic-style cross
measuring 60 feet tall erected by Episcopalians in 1894.

 It commemorated Sir Francis Drake’s first landing on the west coast in 1579.

 It is located near Rainbow Falls on Cross Over Dive between John F. Kennedy
Drive and Park Presidio Drive.

 The cross was meant to be visible to ships at sea but has since been overgrown by
trees.

 Gift of Geogre W Childs, it was designed by the architectural firm Coxhead &
Coxhead of San Francisco.

Structures and Buildings

Carousel
 An ornate carousel housed in a circular building near the children’s playground
was built in 1914 by Herschell-Spillman Company.

 The building was occupied by three previous carousels before the current
attraction was purchased by Herbert Fleishhacker from the Golden Gate
International Exposition in 1941.

 The carousel has undergone several major renovations, first being transition from
steam to electric power.

 In 1977, the carousel was closed due to safety concerns which was then followed
by an artistic restoration overseen by local artist Ruby Newman hired by San
Francisco Arts Commission.

 The badly deteriorated carousel was restored and she hand painted all animals,
chariots and decorative housing.

93

Structures and Buildings

 Music
Concourse
Area

94

MUSIC CONCOURSE AREA

Music Concourse Area
• Is a sunken, oval-shaped open-plaza originally
excavated of the California Midwinter
International Exposition of 1894.

• Its focal point is the Spreckels Temple of Music,

also called the “Bandshell” – numerous music
performances have been staged

• During the fall, spring, and summer season,

various food trucks are often parked behind the
Bandshell

• Also includes a number of statues of various

historic figures, four fountains, and a regular grid
array of heavily pollarded trees
The Bandshell on Music Concourse Area

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Music Concourse Area
• Since 2003, the Music Concourse has undergone
a series of improvements to include an
underground 800-car parking garage and
pedestrianization of the plaza itself

• It is surrounded by various cultural attractions,

including:

1. De Young Museum

2. Academy of Sciences

3. Japanese Tea Garden

Music Concourse Area

96
 De
Young
Museum

97

De Young Museum
De Young Museum
• Named after M. H. de Young, the San Francisco
newspaper magnate is a fine arts museum, opened in
January 1921

• The Fine Arts Building Featured Several artists, 28 of

whom were female

• A 16th century Spanish Renaissance Design, pale

salmon colored façade with rococo ornamentation

• Contained 4 wings : East wing – ever changing

paintings by artist like Vincent Van Gogh , central wing
– famous American and European work; Northeast
wing – Asian collections; and West wing – Artistic
history of San Francisco
De Young Museum

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 California
Academy of
Sciences

99

Academy of sciences
Academy of Sciences
• Founded in 1853, making it the oldest scientific
institution in the western United States.

• Evolutionist Charles Darwin corresponded in the

initial organization of early institution.

• The structure was destroyed in the 1989

earthquake and just three of the original buildings
were conserved

• The new building opened in 2008 at the same

location in the park

• The present building encompasses 37,000 sq

meters and exhibits of natural history, aquatic life, The Living roof of the California Academy of Science
astronomy, gems and minerals, and earthquakes.

100
Academy of Sciences
• The academy also contains a 2.5 acre living roof
almost 1.7 million native California plants

• Domes that covers the planetarium and rainforest

exhibitions

• The soil of the roof is 6” deep, which reduces storm

water runoff by more than 90% and naturally cools the
interior of the museum

• The glass panels of the living roof also contain cells

that collect more than 5% of the electricity needed to
power the museum.

• Eco-friendly materials and natural sources of energy, it

is country’s only LEED-platinum certified museum, by De Young Museum
U.S. Green Building Council
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 Japanese
Tea
Garden

102

Japanese Tea Garden

Japanese Tea Garden
• Is the oldest public Japanese garden in the US and occupies
5 of 1017 acres of the Golden Gate Park opened in 1894

• Originally named Japanese Village, during World War II, anti

Japanese sentiments led to renaming as Oriental Tea Garden

• After the war, a letter-writing campaign enabled the garden to

formally reinstated as Japanese Tea Garden

• This is complex of many paths, ponds and a teahouse

features plantes and trees pruned in Japanese style

• In 1953, a classical Zen garden was added as well as the

Lantern of Peace
Japanese Tea Garden

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Japanese Tea Garden
• The Lantern of Peace, weighing 9,000 pounds,
was a gift from the Japanese Government

• As a typical Japanese tea garden, it has own

stepping stone pathways, stone lantern, and
variety of plants, in the mix there are dwarf trees,
bamboo, and azaleas adorning the garden

• Serves as a spot of tranquility in the middle of the

various activities of the Park

• A place in which it is possible to be at one with

nature, its rhythms, and changing beauties
The Japanese Tea Garden opened in 1894

104
SPORTS AND RECREATION
• Golden Gate park contains many areas for sports and recreation including:

 tennis courts,
 soccer fields,
 baseball fields,
 lawn bowling fields,
 an angling and casting club,
 a disc golf course,
 horseshoe pits,
 an archery range,
 the polo field,
 and Kezar Stadium

• Golden Gate park formed the first Lawn Bowling Club in the United States in
1901, with an Edwardian style clubhouse constructed in 1915
KEZAR STADIUM
• Kezar Stadium was built between 1922 and 1925 in
the southeast corner of the park.

• It hosted various athletic competitions throughout

its existence.

• It served as the home stadium of the San Francisco

49ers of the AAFC and NFL from 1946 to 1970,
and for one season in 1960, it hosted the Oakland
Raiders of the AFL

• The 59,000-seat stadium was demolished in 1989

and replaced with a modern 9,044-seat stadium, Kezar Stadium was home to the San Francisco 49ers from 1946 to
which includes a replica of the original concrete 1970
arch at the entryway

106
KEZAR STADIUM
• The stadium has been used in recent years for soccer, lacrosse, and track and field.

• The stadium also holds the annual city high school football championship, the Turkey Bowl.

• The Turkey Bowl dates back to 1924 and is played each Thanksgiving.

• The game was held at Lowell High School in 2014 because Kezar was closed due to renovation of the running
track.
•
• Galileo High School has the most overall wins in the game (16) after breaking Lincoln High School's record
four-game winning streak in 2009

• The stadium also hosts the football game in the three-part Bruce-Mahoney Trophy competition between
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory and Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, two Catholic high schools in San
Francisco, in addition to serving as the home field for Sacred Heart Cathedral's football program

107
THE POLO FIELD

• The sport of polo came to California in 1876, when the California Polo Club was established with help of Bay Area
native, Captain Nell Mowry

• By the late 1800s, polo in San Francisco was dominated by the Golden Gate Driving Club and the San Francisco
Driving Club.
• Later on, the stadium was renamed simply the Polo Field

• The Polo Fields has a history of cycling lasting from 1906 to the 21st century.

• The Polo Fields were originally created for track cycling in 1906, as track cycling was a popular sport in the early 1900s

• Despite a down-surge of popularity in the mid-1900s, track cycling has seen a huge rebirth ever since the introduction of
more track cycling programs in the Olympics in 2003
108
 THE POLO FIELD
• The field has an extensive history with music and events

• Because of the location and size of the Polo Fields, various events are commonly
held on the field

• Historically, many major music festivals took place in the park, including the Human
Be-In, which featured bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.

• More contemporary music festivals such as the Outside Lands and Hardly Strictly
Bluegrass also take place on or nearby the Polo Fields
Polo Fields – Track Cycling Race in the early
• One of the largest public gatherings in San Francisco took place in the Polo Fields— 1900s
a public Rosary in 1961 with 550,000 people

• Public political events were also held at the field, such as the anti-Vietnam War rally
in 1969 and the Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1996

109
THE POLO FIELD
• Now in the 21st century, the Polo Field is split into two divisions:

• the inner soccer field,

• and the flat-style cycling velodrome found around the field itself.

• Today many sports are played in the polo fields, including soccer, cross country
running, and various types of cycling

• The cycling track is still alive, with a large number of time-trial races held every
cycling season.

• A cyclist in 2013 set a record in the park by riding a total of 188.5 miles on the
Polo Field velodrome, circling it 279 times for a total of 10 hours moving
 ARCHERY RANGE
• Archery was first organized in Golden Gate Park in 1881

• However, there was not a devoted range specifically for archery until
around 1933

• In 1936, during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, many parts of Golden

Gate Park, including the archery range, were improved as part of the
Works Progress Administration (WPA)

• With WPA support, the archery range was increased in size and the
adjacent hill was carved to serve as a backdrop for stray arrows

• Bales of hay are used as targets and are provided by the Golden Gate Joad
Archery Club as well as donations from other donors

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ARCHERY RANGE
• The Golden Gate Park Archery Range is located
right inside the park off of 47th Street and Fulton
Street

• It is open whenever the park itself is open and is

free to use by anyone.

• There is no staff and equipment is not offered to

be rented at the range,

• However there are archery stores nearby for

rentals and there are multiple groups that offer
training and lessons.
 TO SUM UP
• There has always been demand for active and structured recreation throughout the park's history.

• One hundred years ago people were coming to Golden Gate Park for relaxation, walking, bicycling, picnicking, boating,
enjoying the horticultural displays and concerts, and playing baseball, tennis and other sports.

• Over the years new activities and facilities were added such as horseshoes, playgrounds, lawn bowling greens, model
yacht club, soccer fields, fly casting pools, and Kezar Stadium.

• The addition of many facilities has resulted in an increase of park land dedicated to exclusive uses rather than to flexible,
unprogrammed park land available for less structured park activities.

• The recreation facilities also require a higher level of maintenance and investment.

• The demands for recreation need to be balanced with the objectives of preserving the original intent and purpose of the
park as a "sylvan and pastoral" retreat. Emphasis should be placed on improving and maintaining existing recreation
facilities, rather than adding new ones.

113
RECOMMENDATION
 All events should meet a standard of appropriateness as outlined in the Objectives and Policies and the City
Charter. Consider directing some events to other sites within San Francisco.

 Carefully assess impacts and costs of events. Ensure that fees cover true costs of events and allow for
overtime pay for maintenance staff to perform repairs so regular maintenance does not suffer. Raise fees for
special events to realize a profit for the Department.

 Assess carrying capacity of permit areas based on surface characteristics and other factors.

 Continue to review (every six months) and revise the Permit and Reservations Policy to minimize impacts of
events and to maximize fees to benefit the park. Regular policy review provides an opportunity for public
involvement.

 Consider alternatives

114
UTILITIES
The utilities and infrastructure that support the
recreation activities in Golden Gate Park are largely
hidden and unnoticed, but without them the park could
not function.

Many of these services, including electrical, water

supply and distribution, and sewers date from the early
part of this century and some from the last century.

These systems are antiquated and in very poor

condition.

Some require expensive ongoing maintenance to keep

them functioning and some present safety hazards
UTILITIES
The 1992 Golden Gate Park Infrastructure Bond, approved by San Francisco voters,
provides over $70 million for the reconstruction of the park's utilities and infrastructure.

The construction work, which will occur over ten years, is being planned to minimize
disruption of park activities.

Work is organized to comprehensively upgrade all utilities at one time in each park area to
limit disturbances.

Construction activities are also being planned to minimize impacts on wildlife and natural
systems.

The existing utility systems have had a long and useful life.

The replacement systems to be installed are also designed for long life and some will
provide significant savings in lower maintenance costs that can be used for other park
needs.
116
 MANAGEMENT

Park Management and

Maintenance
1. The goal of the park's naturalistic design is to look as if nature created
the meadows, forests, and vistas. That illusion is very successful, but
misleading.

2. To maintain the illusion takes great care and effort. Maintaining this type
of landscape in an urban park with such high usage presents an even
greater challenge. In the past few years, the Recreation and Park
Department, and its maintenance staff, have met the challenge of
maintaining Golden Gate Park in the face of declining resources.
Community was considered an expert in the first phase of problem
identification.

01/ 08
117

Group 3 Landscape
MANAGEMENT

Maintaining Golden Gate Park

1. Gardeners have primary responsibility for horticultural and landscape maintenance. The park landscape maintenance is based on a section and "beat"
system. The park is divided into six sections (previously there were eleven sections), which are further divided into smaller subsections, referred to as
gardener beats.

2. Each section has a supervisor that oversees the gardeners who are assigned to beats. This system provides workers who know their areas well and can
take pride in them.

3. Custodians are assigned to park facilities and perform cleaning and simple maintenance tasks.

4. The turf management division maintains fields, meadows and other turf areas.

5. The forestry division manages tree hazards, large tree pruning, and the reforestation program. It also provides forest management training for
gardeners. Forestry crews include arborists, gardeners and other workers.

6. The golf division crew maintains the golf course.

7. The structural maintenance division consists of crews of various building trades such as plumbers, carpenters, electricians, and other crafts. They
maintain and repair the park's water system, other infrastructure and buildings, and operate heavy equipment.

8. The mechanics shop (under the Purchasing Department) performs repairs on equipment and vehicles.

9. The supply warehouse (under the Purchasing Department) receives and disburses supplies and materials.

118
Golden Gate Park Management 119
 SECURTIY

Park Management and Security

1. Golden Gate Park is a safe park, but as important as statistics are, the
perception of safety is just as important. A sense of security is essential
for park users to enjoy their park experience.

2. Proper maintenance is one of the best deterrents to crime. A park that is

well tended shows a commitment to make the park a secure place.
Successful parks with high visitation are self patrolling. Visible
maintenance staff also provide a deterrent.

Community was considered an expert in the first phase of problem

identification.

01/ 02
120

Group 3 Landscape
MANAGEMENT

Maintaining Golden Gate Park

1. Ensure a high level of maintenance to all pails of the park. Fight graffiti and vandalism aggressively—remove markings and repair damages quickly.

2. The Park Patrol should be expanded to 24 hours a day, with sufficient staffing to permit a ranger to be in Golden Gate Park at all times. Daytime
patrols by mountain bikes will enable patrolling of out-of-the way places. The role of the Park Patrol should be to:

3. Provide A Visible Uniformed Presence At All Times Patrolling With Mountain Bikes And Vehicles;

4. Provide Enforcement Of Park Code And Other Minor Violations (Enforcement Role

5. To Be Coordinated With SFPD, May Require Legislation); Communicate With The SFPD When Situations Arise.

6. Coordinate efforts with other City departments to address camping, drug abuse, and other social problems in the park.

7. Establish a regular ongoing program with the SFPD to clear camps. This program will require a regular commitment of maintenance staff to clean and
restore camp sites.

8. Involve community groups in park security issues so they see the park as an extension of their neighborhoods. Establish a park neighborhood security
committee as a working group to focus on park and neighborhood safety and security issues. Have an ongoing forum with community groups, Police
Department, District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Social Services, and the Health Department to discuss park and neighborhood security and
enforcement issues.

9. Relocate Park Patrol office to front of maintenance yard (fronting on MLK Drive) with access to the public to report suspicious activities.

121
THANK-YOU

122