- 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
Community Opportunity Fund (COF) | $6 million available: Nominate your city park idea!
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department is pleased to announce that nominations for Community Opportunity Fund (COF) project grants will open in January! Applications will be accepted January 2026 through March 2026. COF is a citywide Read on…
India Basin Waterfront Park | Community Notification and Public Meeting Notice, January 23, 1 PM
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will hold a public meeting to discuss the draft EPA grant proposal and to solicit public comments on the proposal. The meeting will be held Friday, January 23, 2026, 1-2 p.m., at the community gathering room at Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Weekend Work Advisory for Saturday, January 10
Please be advised that our contractor will have a crew working this Saturday, January 10. This will be our electrical subcontractor crew, who will be working on the main electrical conduits and installing rebar for the secondary conduits. This work will Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Construction update, January 2026
The new prefabricated restroom has arrived! Big thanks to everyone who came out to watch this morning. It was a fun atmosphere. Our staff saw neighbors standing on the play structure to get a peek and heard a Read on…
Esprit Park | Tree Replacement now complete
Work this week to replace 15 young trees at Esprit Park is now complete. These trees were currently under warranty after the recent park renovation. Our crew planted 12 London Plane trees along the Minnesota Street frontage and 3 multi-stemmed Read on…
India Basin Waterfront Park | Community Notification and Public Meeting Notice | January 23, 1 PM
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) is applying for a United States Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Cleanup Grant to cover the cost of remediating legacy contaminated subsurface soil at India Basin Shoreline Park Read on…
Golden Gate Park - JFK Promenade | Construction update, January 2026
Construction to upgrade the crosswalks and curb ramps on JFK Promenade near the Conservatory of Flowers resumes this week. Our contractor will begin at Conservatory Drive East before turning attention to the intersection at Pompeii Circle. All crosswalk Read on…
Louis Sutter Upper Playground Renewal | REMINDER: Two Community Information Sessions in January
We have two community information sessions scheduled for January. Join the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to learn more about the upcoming renovation of the playground equipment and surfacing at the Louis Sutter Upper Playground. These Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Construction Advisory, January 2026
Please be advised that we expect that the park’s new, prefabricated restroom facility will be delivered this Thursday, January 8 in the morning. This delivery was originally scheduled for the week of December 22 but was postponed due to rain. This work Read on…
Herz Recreation Center | Grand Opening Celebration, this Friday, January 9, 3:30-5 PM
We’re excited to invite the community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Herz Recreation Center at 160 Mrs. Jackson Way in McLaren Park on Friday, January 9, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. The new recreation center includes an indoor basketball court with Read on…
Randolph Bright Mini Park Improvements | Project update, December 2025
Thank you to the community members who joined our design discussions and shared thoughtful feedback to help shape the final design for Randolph & Bright Mini Park. Your ideas and insights have been essential in guiding this project. Over the past few Read on…
Esprit Park | Notice of Tree Replacement
The week of January 5, Rec and Park will be working with our contractor team to replace 15 trees that were installed during the recent park renovation project and are currently under warranty. We expect to complete this work over a Read on…
Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation | Construction update, December 2025
Earlier this fall, steel tendons to support the Pagoda were woven through each level. These are now being properly tensioned, and this work is nearly complete. Waterproofing and drainage work continues in the second half of the plaza. We expect some Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Construction update, December 2025
The new building is now fully waterproofed, and drywall installation has begun on the interior walls. On the exterior of the building, we have begun installing the plaster and storefront windows. The new playground equipment has been Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Construction Advisory, December 22, 2025
Please be advised that the delivery and installation of the park’s new, prefabricated restroom facility, which was originally scheduled for this week, has been postponed due to rain. We will post an update with the new delivery date once it is Read on…
Golden Gate Park-Senior Center Outdoor Recreation Area | Project update, December 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our third and final community meeting about the planned improvements to create a new Outdoor Recreation Area behind the Golden Gate Park Senior Center. Our plan is to present this concept design to the Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Weekend Work Advisory for Saturday, December 20
Please be advised that our contractor will have a crew working this Saturday, December 20. This will be our electrical subcontractor crew, and they will be working along 6th Street. We anticipate minimal noise or other disruption to neighbors. This work Read on…
McLaren Park - Louis Sutter Upper Playground Renewal | Two Community Information Sessions in January
Two community information sessions now scheduled for January. Please join the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to learn more about the upcoming renovation of the playground equipment and surfacing at the Louis Sutter Upper Playground. These Read on…
Golden Gate Park-Senior Center Outdoor Recreation Area | REMINDER: Community meeting #3, Dec 17, 11a
Join Rec and Park for the third and final community meeting about the planned improvements to create a new Outdoor Recreation Area behind the Golden Gate Park Senior Center. At this meeting, we will share the final design for the new Outdoor Recreation Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Memory Walk update, December 16, 2025
Artists Selected to Contribute to the Memory Walk at Buchanan Street Mall! Thank you to everyone who applied in the spring. After a thoughtful review process, guided by the Memory Walk Art Advisory Committee, nine artists have been selected to Read on…
Precita Park Improvements | Construction Advisory, December 2025
Please be advised that we expect that the park’s new, prefabricated restroom facility will be delivered on the morning of December 24. This work will require a large crane at the intersection of Precita Ave at Harrison Street for several hours in the Read on…
Gene Friend Rec Center | Weekend Work Advisory for Saturday, December 13
Please be advised that our contractor will have a crew working this Saturday, December 13. This will be our electrical subcontractor crew, and they will be working along 6th Street, between Clementina and Howard. We anticipate minimal noise or Read on…
South Sunset Clubhouse | Construction update, December 2025
We’re excited to report that our Rec and Parks Commission approved a change order that will allow us to add a new, covered pavilion to the back patio! This new, covered pavilion will add 250 square feet of sun and rain-protected open space and will be an Read on…
Golden Gate Park-Senior Center Outdoor Recreation Area | REMINDER: Community meeting #3, Dec 17, 11a
Join Rec and Park for the third and final community meeting about the planned improvements to create a new Outdoor Recreation Area behind the Golden Gate Park Senior Center. At this meeting, we will share the final design for the new Outdoor Recreation Read on…
Tenderloin Rec Center Play Area | Construction update, December 2025
Construction is well underway on the Tenderloin Recreation Center Children’s Play Area Improvements. The project’s general contractor, Bauman Landscape and Construction, has completed most of the demolition work. This includes removing a large portion of Read on…
Portsmouth Square Improvements | Project update, December 2025
We’re happy to report that we’ve received enthusiastic interest from qualified contractors, many of whom requested more time to prepare thoughtful, competitive bids. To support high-quality proposals and a strong selection process, we’re extending the Read on…
Buchanan Street Mall | Construction update, December 2025
Please be advised: Soil off haul is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3 and Friday, December 5. Expect construction vehicles entering and exiting the worksite, as well as impacts to parking and traffic. Please follow all posted signage and Read on…
Golden Gate Park - JFK Promenade | Construction update, December 2025
Construction to upgrade the crosswalks and curb ramps on JFK Promenade near the Conservatory of Flowers has begun! Our contractor is working to remove and replace the crosswalks and curb ramps at Pompeii Circle and Conservatory Drive East. This work is Read on…
Golden Gate Park-Senior Center Outdoor Recreation Area | Community meeting #3, Dec. 17, 11a
Join Rec and Park for the third and final community meeting about the planned improvements to create a new Outdoor Recreation Area behind the Golden Gate Park Senior Center. At this meeting, we will share the final design for the new Outdoor Recreation Read on…
Golden Gate Park - Botanical Garden Access Improvements | Construction update, November 2025
The ADA Pathway Improvement Project at San Francisco Botanical Garden is now complete! All designated ADA-compliant paths are now complete and open to the public. Thank you for your support throughout construction. This will be our Read on…