- Welcome to another SF Parks site! :tada:/
- Park Improvements/
- Completed Park Projects/
- Golden Gate Park - Completed Park Improvements/
- Golden Gate Park - Oak Woodlands Trail Improvement Project/
Golden Gate Park - Oak Woodlands Trail Improvement Project
Completed and Open to the Public February 22, 2019!
Description
While much of Golden Gate Park has been landscaped with lawns, flowerbeds, and other ornamental features, remnants of San Francisco’s oak woodlands still exist in this world-renowned park. The northeast corner of Golden Gate Park is home to some of the oldest coast live oak trees in San Francisco. The Oak Woodlands is a remnant forest located in the northeast corner of Golden Gate Park along Fulton Avenue between Stanyan and 6th Avenue. The trails were in poor condition and a number of redundant social trails wound through the woodlands, causing erosion and habitat destruction.
Scope of Work
The Golden Gate Park Oak Woodlands Trail Improvement Project created one primary, continuous nature trail with wayfinding and interpretive signs. The project also included a designated multi-use trail that allows for off road bicycle access.
The project repaired existing trails, provided erosion control measures, restored native plants and provided new signage. Invasive plants that were a threat to habitat were removed and replaced with plants that have greater habitat value and are aesthetically pleasing.
The trail alignment connected points of interest along the route including the overlook near Stanyan and Hayes Streets, the Horseshoe Pits, the hillside near the green waste transfer area, and Coon Hollow. The trail restoration improved visual quality, access, safety and enhanced the trail experience in Oak Woodlands Park while retaining the rustic quality of the trail.
Funding
This project was funded by private donations and public sources including:
- 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond: $1.9 million
- 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond: Forestry Program: $ 202,500
- A generous grant from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company: $91,094
Get Out and Play!
Thanks for supporting park improvements in your San Francisco parks! To stay informed and involved, we encourage you to subscribe to Rec and Park eNews .
You can also explore Rec and Park volunteer opportunities – We have park needs in every corner of the city and volunteer opportunities that are as diverse as your interests, skills, and abilities. Have fun in your parks, and get out and play!
Project Updates
Crocker Amazon Baseball and Softball Fields Renovation | Second Community Meeting, Nov. 12, 6-8 PM
Join Rec and Park for our second community meeting to discuss the revitalization of the baseball and softball fields at Crocker Amazon. The San Francisco Giants are partnering with Rec and Park to renovate six baseball and softball fields with new Read on…
India Basin Waterfront Park | Construction update, November 2025
Night Work at India Basin Shoreline Park begins Monday, November 10. As part of the India Basin Shoreline Park renovation, essential construction work will take place at night and on weekends this month. This work involves earthmoving along the Read on…
Golden Gate Park | Construction begins soon on JFK Promenade near Stanyan Street
We are excited to announce that construction will begin next week to upgrade crosswalks and curb ramps on JFK Promenade near Stanyan Street. JFK Promenade will remain open to pedestrians throughout construction. Expect construction noise, intermittent Read on…
Bernal Heights Playground | Renewed Playground Unveiled with Ribbon Cutting
Beloved Playground reopens with fresh look, accessibility upgrades, and an innovative new approach to park improvements Read on…
Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation | San Francisco Arts Commission, Nov 3 at 2 PM
A motion concerning the removal and storage of the Vaillancourt Fountain (located within Embarcadero Plaza) will be heard by the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Full Commission on Monday, November 3 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall Room 416, Item #8. Public Read on…
Sava Pool Tile Repair Project | Construction Underway at Sava Pool: Building Enclosure Remediation
We’re excited to share that construction to renovate the exterior of Sava Pool has officially begun! Please note that there are no current impacts to the posted pool schedule. Work is expected to last through early 2026. Construction activities will be Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Construction update, October 2025
We’ve made major construction progress on the new building. On October 17, we placed the new rec center’s very first window glass (on the Folsom and Harriet side). The remaining windows will be installed in the coming weeks. Site work is also in Read on…
India Basin Waterfront Park | Removal of PG & E Tower Marks Major Milestone
Rec and Park is proud to share the successful removal of a Pacific Gas and Electric (PG & E) transition tower from the future site of India Basin Waterfront Park, marking a major step in transforming the Bayview-Hunters Point shoreline into a Read on…
Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, October 2025
Waterproofing and drainage work is complete in nearly half the plaza. We are working now to finish the other half. We expect some odor during this process, and fans will be used to help with airflow. Also, please be advised that we expect some Read on…
India Basin Waterfront Park | Construction update, October 2025
Construction at India Basin Shoreline Park (IBSP) has officially begun! The park is closed and fenced through early 2028, with construction noise, intermittent street and sidewalk closures, and pedestrian detours expected. Please note that Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update, October 2025
Sewer work is nearly complete, and electrical conduit and light pole footing installation begins this week. Irrigation mainline installation is underway, led by a Black-owned LBE plumbing subcontractor brought on by McGuire and Hester. Structural footing Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Construction update, October 2025
Construction has begun on the Precita Park Improvements Project! So far, our contractor, Pacific Pars, has installed construction fencing around the site and they are now working to prep the areas that will be home to the new restroom facility and Read on…
Bernal Heights Playground | Reopening Celebration on November 3!
Join us for the reopening of Bernal Heights Playground (500 Moultrie Street) on Monday, November 3 from 4 to 5 p.m. The event will feature brief remarks, a ribbon-cutting, and community fun. The design, shaped by community input, features all new Read on…
Koshland Park Community Garden Renovation | Project update, October 2025
We’re excited to share that, last week, our Recreation and Park Commission unanimously approved the concept design for the Koshland Park Community Garden Renovation project. This marks an important milestone toward revitalizing one of the city’s most Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, October 2025
We are happy to share that the new lawn below the playground is now open to the public! After completing its establishment period – resting, watering, and two mowing cycles, the grass is healthy and ready for visitors to enjoy. You may still see our Read on…
Portsmouth Square Improvements | Project update, October 2025
We’re excited to announce that the Portsmouth Square Improvement Project is now open for interested contractors to bid! The project will transform the park by constructing a new clubhouse, a large flexible event plaza, playgrounds, and Read on…
Marina Improvement and Remediation | Water Board Feasibility Studies and Project News
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region (Water Board), has finalized the Feasibility Studies for East Harbor Marina and Outside East Harbor environmental investigation Sites located in Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Weekend Work Advisory for Saturday, October 11
Weekend Work Advisory: Please be advised that our contractor will be working this Saturday on flashing and polished concrete, to help keep the project on schedule before the winter rainy season. We anticipate minimal noise or other disruption to neighbors Read on…
Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation | San Francisco Arts Commission today at 2 PM
Recent information concerning the Vaillancourt Fountain (located within Embarcadero Plaza) and its current condition will appear as an informational item at the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Full Commission meeting today, Monday, October 6 at 2 p.m. at Read on…
Tenderloin Rec Center Play Area | Construction update, October 2025
Starting on Monday, October 6, Bauman Landscape and Construction will begin construction on the children’s play area at the Tenderloin Recreation Center. Once construction begins, the yard will be closed through Summer 2026. The Tenderloin Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Weekend Work Advisory for Saturday, October 4
Please be advised that our contractor will have a crew on site this Saturday to work on flashing and roofing. We anticipate minimal noise or other disruption to neighbors. This work is will help us get the Read on…
Bernal Heights Playground | Construction update, October 2025
The new play equipment and shade structure are currently being installed and the look of the new playground is really taking shape. Please be advised: October 9–12, we’ll be making playground entryway improvements along Moultrie St. The sidewalk will be Read on…
Tenderloin Rec Center Play Area | Mayor Lurie Breaks Ground on Redesigned Playground in Tenderloin
The renovated space will transform the play area for Tenderloin kids. It continues Mayor Lurie’s work to support the Tenderloin community and activate public spaces Read on…
Tenderloin Rec Center Play Area | REMINDER: Groundbreaking Event on October 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Join Rec and Park for a groundbreaking event at the Tenderloin Children’s Playground (570 Ellis Street) on Wednesday, October 1 at 9:30 a.m. The celebration marks the beginning of a new era for this popular neighborhood play space, which will Read on…
Golden Gate Park - Botanical Garden Access Improvements | Construction update, September 26, 2025
With this year’s Flower Piano now finished, construction resumed this week with the start of Phase 3. This part of the project will include demolishing and repaving asphalt pathways near the Moon Viewing Garden, Southeast Asian Cloud Forest, and Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Weekend Work Advisory for Saturday, September 27
Weekend Work Advisory: Please be advised that our contractor will have a roofing crew on site this Saturday. We anticipate minimal noise or other disruption to neighbors. This work will help us get the Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Project update, September 2025
Construction will be starting soon! This project will add a prefabricated, single-stall, all-gender accessible restroom, as well as related site improvements, including a drinking fountain, trash receptacle, and Read on…
Koshland Park Community Garden Renovation | Project update, September 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the third and final community meeting about the design for the Koshland Park Community Garden Renovation. A clear theme that we heard from these meetings is that the redesign should prioritize creating a Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Harriet Street Utility Work Recommences on Wednesday + Continues Next Week
Construction work in the roadway on Harriet Street will resume on Wednesday, September 24, and extend into next week. There is no planned weekend work. This work will install a new utility connection to the facility. We expect the impacts to be similar to Read on…
Stern Grove Playground Renovation | Construction update, September 2025
We are super excited that the playground is now open to the public! Thank you to everyone who supported this special project. Over the next few months, you will continue to see our contractor on-site periodically to make adjustments and Read on…