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McLaren Park - Trails Improvement Project

McLaren Park

Scope of Work

This project is guided by four goals identified in the McLaren Park Vision Plan for the park’s trails and paths:

  • Ensure safe recreation and access
  • Maintain and build on natural character
  • Protect natural resources
  • Clarify circulation routes

The project includes trail improvements, habitat restoration, tree work, and improvements to wayfinding and interpretive signage in four priority locations within the park.

Trail improvements will consolidate and clarify trail routes, increase accessibility, reduce erosion, and establish larger areas of contiguous habitat. Work will include standardizing trail widths per the Vision Plan (3’ minimum width for pedestrian-only trails and 5’ minimum width for multi-use trails with bike access); realigning or decommissioning select trails to restore habitat; and fixing drainage issues to reduce erosion.

Habitat restoration will involve decommissioning social trails through sensitive habitats and planting and tending to local plants to improve ecosystem health. This work focuses primarily on habitat enhancement at Grey Fox Creek, the grasslands at University Hill, and establishment of a seasonal wetland north of the Upper Reservoir. The closure of social trails around the University Hill Grassland and Grey Fox Creek and better definition and wayfinding for the formal trail system will reduce detrimental human impacts to Natural Resource Management Areas, such as trampling and soil compaction in sensitive habitats. The seasonal wetland north of the Upper Reservoir will be recontoured and planted to improve habitat and better slow and sink the stormwater that feeds Yosemite Creek.

Tree work will involve pruning and removal of approximately 400 of the park’s tens of thousands of trees. Tree work is disruptive. And it is a necessary aspect of responsible urban forest maintenance. The tree work improves the condition and accessibility of the park’s trail network, enhances habitat values, and addresses trees and branches that pose potential safety risks. See tree work FAQ here > >

Wayfinding signage and trail map improvements will help visitors navigate through the park more easily and find pedestrian or multi-use routes to match their needs and abilities. This includes maps and signs that better communicate route accessibility and permitted users, and highlight program areas, restrooms, and MUNI bus stops around the park.

The four locations within McLaren Park that have been prioritized for trail and pathway improvements are:

1) Upper Reservoir – Scope of work:

  • Replace the asphalt path and wood steps with a sustainable natural surface trail with less steps
  • Install a new crosswalk north of the parking lot entrance to more safely connect trails on the east and west sides of Shelley Drive
  • Mitigate drainage problems and establish a new seasonal wetland
  • Repair paving on the ramp southwest of the reservoir to improve accessibility from the parking lot to the picnic area
  • Create a new ADA van parking space in the Upper Reservoir parking lot
  • Plant native plants for habitat restoration

2) Shelley Loop Interior – Scope of work:

  • Clarify trail alignments and wayfinding between points of interest, such as the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater and group picnic and Redwood Playground areas
  • Repair trail surface erosion damage and improve drainage to minimize future erosion
  • Convert trail impacting the creek to a spur overlook
  • Consolidate trails to increase contiguous scrub habitat
  • Plant native plants for habitat restoration

3) University Hill – Scope of work:

  • Remove hazardous trees and thin crowded trees to improve the health of the forested hillside
  • Remove the failing asphalt path and steps and create a new multi-use trail that meets Outdoor Accessibility Guidelines
  • Consolidate and reroute trails to reduce erosion and protect native grasslands to the east

4) Visitacion Avenue Corridor – Scope of work:

  • Install an improved pedestrian trail from the park entry at Visitacion Avenue and Hahn Street to Visitacion Valley Middle School, along the eastern side of road
  • Install a new Park Tread trail at the Native Plant Garden
  • Plant native plants for habitat restoration

Completed Improvements to McLaren Trails

The McLaren Trail Connector Project, which was funded by a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, was completed in 2014. This project included improvements to 3 trail entryways in McLaren Park: Campbell Avenue, Visitacion Avenue Fire Road, and Persia just east of the picnic area.

Funding

  • $2 million from 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Citywide Trails Program
  • $1.5 million from 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond for John McLaren Park: for Natural Features restoration work
  • $328,000 from 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond for John McLaren Park
  • $250,000 from 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond for Forestry Program
  • $250,000 from an Outdoor Environmental Education Grant through the California Natural Resources Agency Department of Parks and Recreation
  • $207,000 from a Habitat Conservation Fund Grant through the California Department of Parks and Recreation
  • $50,000 from Development Fees

Estimated Project Schedule

Phase

Timeline

Planning

2019

Design

2022

Construction starts

February 2024

Open to the public

Early 2026

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Contact Us

Lauren Dietrich Chavez

Project Manager Email Phone: 1-628-652-6643