California State Parks and California State Parks Foundation Cut the Ribbon on Park Improvements at Yosemite Slough
CONTACTS:
Rachel Norton
rachel@calparks.org
Adeline Yee
newsroom@parks.ca.gov
Mayor London Breed, Board President Shamann Walton, State Parks Director Armando Quintero and other dignitaries to celebrate improvements to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area include planting, infrastructure projects and completion of the Bay Trail
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. —California State Parks and California State Parks Foundation will celebrate new improvements at Yosemite Slough in Candlestick Point State Recreation Area with a ribbon-cutting on Friday, Sept.17, 2021. Improvements include the core infrastructure needed to maintain and operate the park’s north Yosemite Slough shoreline area, along with planting thousands of native trees, shrubs and plants.
Dignitaries scheduled to speak at the invitation-only event will include San Francisco Mayor London Breed, San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton, who represents the area on the Board of Supervisors, former Deputy Mayor and civic leader Claude Everhart, State Parks Director Armando Quintero, and State Parks and Recreation Commissioner (and San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager) Phil Ginsburg.
For the past 20 years, California State Parks Foundation has been deeply committed to restoring the Yosemite Slough portion of Candlestick Point State Recreation Area and opening it to the community for public access, education and improvement of community health. Historically a tidal marsh and a critical stopover for migrating birds, Yosemite Slough was altered during industrial development and became covered with dilapidated warehouses and construction debris. Phase 1 of the project was successfully completed in June 2012, a $12.2 million wetlands restoration project located along the northern shoreline of Yosemite Slough.
“California State Parks Foundation is dedicated to improving parks and ensuring access, making sure all communities feel welcome in their local parks,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “This has been a great partnership with California State Parks. Phase 2 of this project means we are one step closer to our vision of a park that will serve the local communities unfairly impacted by environmental degradation. “
“California State Parks is excited to partner with the California State Parks Foundation on this project which will help enrich the community of Bayview-Hunters Point,” said Armando Quintero, California State Parks Director. “This much-needed restoration project is at the heart of the department’s mission and strives to enhance the accessibility of the natural and scenic beauty of the San Francisco Bay shoreline. State Parks is thankful for the funding it receives from the California State Parks Foundation and its generous supporters.”
Community engagement and participation in park design and long-term use has been a priority since the project planning stages in the early 2000s. In 2016, a Candlestick Point State Recreation Area Interpretive Planning Advisory Committee made up of local educators, park professionals, environmental organizations and community leaders helped draft a new Interpretation Master Plan and provided ideas for educational programming at the park.
In 2019, California State Parks Foundation created a strategic, multi-phased approach for Phase 2 to address rapidly escalating construction costs, and in the interest of making Yosemite Slough accessible and open to the public. Project elements include:
- Pedestrian cross ramps and cross walks at the intersection of Thomas and Griffith Streets;
- Reconfiguring the Griffith Street terminus from four lanes to two lanes, including on-street parking;
- Installing underground utilities under Griffith Street and bringing them to the site including potable water, fire protection, sanitary sewer, electricity, telecommunications, and outdoor lighting;
- New pedestrian sidewalk and entrance plaza from the intersection of Thomas and Griffith Streets to the park entrance, including street trees and landscaping;
- New street trees and landscaping along Thomas Street;
- New fencing around the park perimeter;
- New park entrance gate and signage;
- Improved parking lot with staging area and ADA pedestrian/bicyclist connection to the SF Bay Trail;
- Completing final alignment and surfacing of the SF Bay Trail including all required signage;
- Installing native plants along the edge of the tidal marsh to complete the tidal marsh restoration;
- Installing an irrigation system to support the new planting areas and the future expansion of the park;
- Test installations of upgraded site furnishings;
- Adding facilities to support San Francisco Public Utilities Commission maintenance access easement.
The construction work was done by local, San Francisco Bayview-Hunters Point contractor Minerva Construction at an estimated cost of $5.2 million.
Support for Phase 2 is generously provided by California State Coastal Conservancy, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation, the California Natural Resources Agency (Urban Greening), Hellman Foundation, William Randolph Hearst Foundation, S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the Barkley Fund, Arlin Weinberger, Union Bank of California, California State Parks, and California State Parks Foundation Board Members.
California State Parks Foundation remains steadfast in achieving the vision of increased park access in southeastern San Francisco, one of the most park-poor and economically disadvantaged areas of the City. To learn more about California State Parks Foundation and the Yosemite Slough Access Project, visit calparks.org/yosemiteslough.
About California State Parks Foundation
California State Parks Foundation is an independent, member-supported nonprofit that mobilizes a diverse network of Californians to be active champions for our state parks. At California State Parks Foundation, we believe that all Californians are essential to sustaining our state parks. Every day, we inform and inspire current and future generations of park champions, enabling them to be the passionate advocates our state parks need. Because when we build a movement of park supporters, we ensure the long-term sustainability of our incredible state park treasures. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, or Instagram and Twitter (@calparks).
California State Parks and the recreational programs supported by its divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation, and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide the opportunity for families, friends, and communities to connect. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, cycling, hiking, camping, rock climbing, tours, hikes, school group enrichment, and special events are just some of the activities enjoyed in 280 park units organized into 21 field districts throughout the state. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov. Subscribe to California State Parks News online at www.parks.ca.gov/news or click here.
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