art in the parks - Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVANCY
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Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
The Golden Gate National Parks
Conservancy is the nonprofit
membership organization created
to preserve the Golden Gate
National Parks, enhance the
experiences of park visitors, and
build a community dedicated to conserving the
parks for the future. (415) 4R-PARKS
www.parksconservancy.org
www.facebook.com/parksconservancy
Twitter: parks4all
OUR PUBLIC AGENCY PARTNERS
National Park Service
The National Park Service was created
in 1916 to preserve America’s natural,
cultural, and scenic treasures and to
provide for their enjoyment by future
generations.
(415) 561-4700 www.nps.gov/goga
The Presidio Trust
Responsible for the transformation
of the Presidio from an historic Army
post into a premier national park that
is financially self-sustaining, the Trust
is leading the nation’s largest historic
preservation project, restoring the
park’s buildings and landscapes, and creating innovative programs. (415) 561-5300 www.presidio.gov
VO L . 1 8 , N O. 2 , S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E G O L D E N G AT E N AT I O N A L PA R K S C O N S E R VA N C Y
­P A R K S F O R A L L F O R E V E R SPRING 2013
ALCATRAZ HISTORIC GARDENS
ART IN THE PARKS
BY GREG MOORE / PRESIDENT & CEO
S
pring is nature’s most expressive season,
as wildflowers bring a full palette of color and birds a full measure of song. Inspired by nature’s creative flair, we
in the Golden Gate National Parks have been fostering
partnerships that further enhance the parklands’ innate
beauty and profundity.
Orange”—our latest collaboration with FOR-SITE. At
Fort Point, 16 renowned artists created 17 pieces of art—
ranging from Jeannene Przyblyski’s virtual radio station
to Stephanie Syjuco’s “pop-up” shop—responding to the
majestic span.
In May, we will cap the 75th Anniversary year with anIn 2008, the Presidio Trust began working with FOR-SITE other amazing tribute: eight large-scale steel sculptures
Foundation, which helped bring two pieces by environby acclaimed artist Mark di Suvero, who was raised in the
mental artist Andy Goldsworthy—“Spire” and “Wood
Bay Area. This free, yearlong outdoor exhibition at Crissy
Line”—to the Presidio. The success of “Spire” spurred a
Field is made possible by our exciting new partnership,
larger exhibition, “Presidio Habitats” (2010–2011), which alongside the National Park Service, with SFMOMA.
showcased work by artists like Ai Weiwei, Mark Dion,
By situating world-class art in a world-class setting, we
Don Chadwick, and more.
are thrilled to connect new communities with our nationThe 75th Anniversary celebration of the Golden Gate
al parks—masterpieces, of course, in their own right.
Bridge was graced by the six-month run of “International
NEWS OF THE PARKS CONSERVANCY
T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E G O L D E N G A T E N A T I O N A L P A R K S C O N S E R VA N C Y
A BRAND NEW
“ADVENTURE”
NEWS IN BRIEF
THE PARKS ON A ROLL
You just received a collector’s item in the mail
today. Tucked within
this Spring 2013 Gateways, you’ll find the last
issue of Park Adventures. A product of the
Parks Conservancy and
National Park Service
interpretive staff, Park
Adventures grew out
of the old Park News
circular. Over the years,
it evolved into a resource
for hikes, talks, and programs across the Golden
Gate National Parks.
In this age of hyperspeed communications
and environmental consciousness, those events
will now be accessible to
the community in a medium that is faster and
more responsive—but
also far less resource-intensive. By going online,
to www.parksconservancy.org/calendar, you’ll
find all the same great
hikes and programs. By
using the calendar grid
and search bars along
the right-hand side, you
can search events by
date, type, location, audience, and keyword.
To supplement that webbased comprehensive
listing, we’re also introducing a new addition to
Gateways, starting with
the Summer 2013 issue.
This new section will
be a roundup of handpicked events that we
think you—as our most
devoted park fans—will
especially enjoy. As
always, we’d love to hear
from you. Drop us an email at editor@parksconservancy.org.
PARKS FOR ALL FOREVER™
SPRING
calendar & events
MARCH, APRIL, MAY 2013
park
adventures
G A T E W AY S n S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
“It was like a rainbow, a bridge coming to the
New World starting a new life….”
—Mark di Suvero, on the Golden Gate Bridge
ART IN THE HEART OF THE PARKS
Mark di Suvero at Crissy Field
O
May 22, 2013, an exhibition of eight
Curated by SFMOMA Director Neal Benezra and
large-scale steel sculptures by
gathered from five decades of the artist’s work,
renowned artMark di Suvero at Crissy
ist Mark di Suvero will
Field will be the largest
open at Crissy Field, in
exhibition of di Suvero’s
the heart of the Golden
sculptures ever shown
Gate National Parks.
on the West Coast—inPresented through
cluding a recently coma novel partnership
pleted work never before
of the San Francisco
seen by the public.
Museum of Modern
The exhibition, which
Art (SFMOMA), Golden
launches SFMOMA’s
Gate National Parks
impressive slate of offConservancy, and Nasite programming while
tional Park Service, this
the museum completes a
installation represents
major expansion project
a sensational new way
(www.sfmoma.org/exto experience a national
pansion), also represents
park, world-class art,
Mark di Suvero, Figolu, (installation view), 2005–11; Mark
the crowning “communiand that International
di Suvero at Governors Island: presented by Storm King
ty tribute” to the Golden
Art Center; Collection of the artist; © Mark di Suvero;
Orange marvel.
Gate Bridge, closing a
photo: Jerry L. Thompson
Crissy Field, with its
75th Anniversary year
views of the magnificent Bridge, will serve as
full of spectacle and celebration.
the perfect setting for di Suvero’s monumental
Through these spectacular works of art, we
sculptures, which span up to 50 feet high and
acknowledge again the Bridge’s power and pres40 feet wide. Their impressive size—and steel
ence in our imagination, our dreams, and the
construction—evoke the iconic span.
fiber of our lives.
When he was seven, di Suvero emigrated from
Free and open to the public, Mark di Suvero at
Shanghai to San Francisco. Passing below the
Crissy Field runs through May 26, 2014. For the
Golden Gate Bridge—completed just a few years
latest on guided tours and programs, follow the
before his arrival—left a profound impression
Conservancy on Twitter (@parks4all) or Faceon the young boy who would become one of the
book (www.facebook.com/parksconservancy).
most influential artists of our time.
n
SWITCHBACKS HOT LINKS TO www.parksconservancy.org
In each issue of
Gateways, we serve
up some choice cuts
of multimedia goodness from the Parks
Conservancy’s website.
Go online, get inspired,
and then get off your
electronic device. The
parks are waiting!
Trail Trailer If a picture is worth
a thousand words, an
inspirational video—
set to lovely original
music—is worth at
least four or five billion (approximately). That’s
especially true when the video
captures 10 years’ worth of
Trails Forever accomplishments.
Take pride that YOU made all
this magic happen. www.parks
conservancy.org/trailvideo
Raptor-dar Through pioneering GSM technology,
Golden Gate Raptor
Observatory staff are
monitoring the flight
patterns of four juvenile red-tailed hawks and one
juvenile peregrine falcon. You,
too, can see where the “Five
for Flying” tour has been, on a
specially customized Google
map. www.parksconservancy.
org/raptormap
Event Horizon Do the math:
80,000 acres of
parkland. Dozens of
interpretive hikes and
talks each month. And
a couple dozen more
volunteer events. All at your
fingertips with one click of your
mouse (or tap of your smartphone). Try the Conservancy’s
events calendar. It’s fully searchable, totally fun. www.parksconservancy.org/calendar
For some, distance and logistics
make it difficult to get out to the
parks. So, we’re bringing the parks
to them. Building on our ongoing
efforts to better connect all communities with park resources, the
Parks Conservancy and National
Park Service are rolling out this
spring with the “Roving Ranger.”
This custom-designed truck will
appear at community events
to inform the public about the
Golden Gate National Parks—and
inspire people to visit. At this
wifi-equipped “mobile trailhead,”
a uniformed ranger and Conservancy liaison will dispense maps,
trail guides, and friendly advice
on how to make the most of our
national parks.
Artist's sketch
MORE BAY TRAIL
ENHANCEMENTS
As part of the 75th “birthday gifts”
to the Golden Gate Bridge, the
Bay Trail leading up to the plaza
area saw dramatic improvements
in the last year. But wait, there’s
more! Starting in March, crews will
finish work on the middle section
of this trail segment, stretching
from the Bridge to the Battery
East parking lot. This project
entails completing the delineation
of pedestrian and cyclist paths
and establishing a new vista point
above Fort Point. Look out for
temporary trail closures and detours—then look forward to even
better visitor experiences starting
in June. Presidio trail projects are
made possible through a lead gift
of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr.
Fund, with major support from the
S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and
community members like you.
MUIR BEACH CLOSURE
COMING SOON
Please note: From July 1 through
November, Muir Beach will be
closed. The reward for your
patience and cooperation? A
stunning transformation of this
hidden gem. The parking lot will
be re-oriented to restore more
natural hydrologic function to
the Redwood Creek floodplain;
new picnic areas will be built; new
vault toilets will be installed; and
the graceful pedestrian bridge
will be extended to better protect
wetland habitat for threatened
and endangered species—while
ensuring recreational access.
S E A S O N A L G U I D E T O T H E PA R K S
T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E G O L D E N G A T E N A T I O N A L P A R K S C O N S E R VA N C Y
G A T E W AY S n S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
SPRING ROUNDUP OF ACTIVITIES
EXPLORE THE NEW HILLSIDE TRAIL
A
fter another winter of intensive work, the
re-constructed Hillside Trail in Muir Woods
is ready for the public! A peaceful alternative to the main trail through the National Monument, the Hillside Trail has been the focus of an
extensive, multi-year project for National Park
Service staff and Trails Forever volunteers.
Although its location along a slope makes for
great views over the Redwood Creek Watershed,
that steep incline also makes the trail prone to
erosion—and deleterious effects on the sensitive
ecosystem. Working only during the winters (with
lighter visitation and fewer disturbances for the
spotted owls), crews have built new bridges, installed retaining walls, widened the pathway, and
restored more natural creek flows—creating some
lovely cascades in the process!
Experience the new trail this spring—before the
summer crowds arrive.
A HOPPY YEAR: RED-LEGGED FROG
T
California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii), once widespread throughout the
state, has been eliminated from 70 percent of its range. Now federally listed as
“threatened,” this famous frog—it took a star turn in Mark Twain’s story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”—is the 2013 Species of the Year in the Golden
Gate National Parks.
he
This year, there will be themed hikes and talks spotlighting this remarkable amphibian and our ongoing work to
protect it. Because habitat loss and invasive species have
been the main culprits in the frog’s decline, the National Park
Service and Parks Conservancy—with the help of volunteers like you—have been working to restore ecosystems in
which it can thrive.
Check out www.sfnps.org/species for upcoming events, or plan your own frog safari. The
best places to spot the California red-legged frog are Mori Point, Muir Beach, and the Redwood Creek corridor.
GO WILD WITH WILDFLOWERS
T
he Marin Headlands, El Polín Spring in
the Presidio, Mori Point, and Milagra
Ridge are all great spots in the Golden
Gate National Parks for peeping colorful
blooms this spring. But the fullest Pantone
panoply of color can usually be found at
Lands End, where years of restoration work
by staff and volunteers have stuffed the
landscape with native plants from across the
spectrum.
Community volunteers come together to restore the landscape at Lands End
PITCH-IN REPORT
A QUARTERLY ROUNDUP OF VOLUNTEER EVENTS & NEWS
A SEASON TO CELEBRATE
Spring is commemoration season,
and that means extra opportunities
to do something extraordinary in
these exceptional national parks.
Although Earth Day is April 22,
we’re celebrating throughout Earth
Week (April 16-22) with volunteer
activities and opportunities. On
April 20, we’re hosting a special
Earth Day cleanup at Ocean Beach
with our partners at Peet’s Coffee
& Tea. Pitch-in to honor our planet,
and enjoy some free Peet’s coffee!
Also in April, there are two commemorative weeks that are near and
dear to us at the Conservancy—National Volunteer Week (April 21–27)
and National Park Week (April
22–26). The latter features free admission to all national parks across
the U.S., and both weeks offer great
opportunities to celebrate two
quintessential American ideals—that
roll-up-your-sleeves civic spirit and
the enduring value in preserving our
natural and cultural heritage.
Speaking of the irreplaceable: Endangered Species Day is May 17, a
day to learn about—and take steps
to protect—endangered species.
We’re working every day to secure a
brighter and more prolific future for
over 30 threatened and endangered
species within the Golden Gate
National Parks. This is your chance
to do your part to restore their
habitats!
To learn how you, your family, your
friends, or your community group
can volunteer as a part of these
celebrations, visit www.parksconservancy.org/volunteer, call (415)
561-3044, or e-mail volunteer@
parksconservancy.org.
THE WING’S THE THING
On May 11 (8 am–2 pm), Muir Woods
will host activities to commemorate
the 13th annual International Migratory Bird Day. Bring the whole family
to enjoy bird walks, demonstrations,
games, and—of course—opportunities to volunteer and improve habitat for our fine-feathered friends. To
learn more, call (415) 388-2596 or
check www.nps.gov/muwo as the
day draws closer.
THE TO-DO LIST
Teens on Trails (3/29, Cesar
Chavez Day)
n
n
Earth Day Celebrations (4/20)
n
Trail Season Kickoff (4/20)
International Migratory Bird Day
(5/11)
n
n
Endangered Species Day (5/17)
“FRIENDS” US!
I
t’s a win-win. Meet new peoStroll the paths with friends and family, or
ple. And make a difference
enjoy a members-only guided tour with native-plant enthusiast (and Park Stewardship
in the national parks you
Program all-star) Eric Klein. To RSVP for this exclusive wildflower walk, scheduled for April love. By joining FOGG (Friends
27 (10 am–1 pm), please call (415) 561-3060 or e-mail membership@parksconservancy.org.
of the Golden Gate), the Parks
Conservancy’s young profesMOTHER’S DAY SALE: MAY 11 AND 12
sionals group, you’ll build your
et mom something sweet, special, and sustainable through our members-only Mothnetwork, while boosting vital
er’s Day sale. On May 11 and 12, just bring your membership ID and take 20% off
park projects and programs.
purchases at the Warming Hut. This beloved spot at the west end of Crissy Field is
Be the first to know about
filled with unique gift ideas, perfect for mothers who love the parks and the Golden Gate.
FOGG meet-ups, benefit concerts, and fun hikes and volunteer activities in the Golden
Gate National Parks. Simply
JAILHOUSE ROMP
“like” FOGG on Facebook
Featuring the sly hu(search for “Friends of the
mor of award-winning
Golden Gate”) and you’ll get
cartoonist Dan Piraro
updates on upcoming events.
(“Bizarro”), this clever
G
baby romper is a hot new
item on Alcatraz. Cozy and easy to care
for, this 100% cotton romper comes in
two sizes, 12 months and 24 months.
Only $14.95 (members price: $12.70),
available at the Alcatraz park store and
online at www.parksconservancy.org/store.
The annual FOGG fundraiser
Join FOGG: Good times for a great cause
barbecue is coming soon in
June! We’re looking for energetic and dedicated volunteers to help plan
and organize this awesome benefit event. If you’d like to get involved,
please contact us at fogg@parksconservancy.org or (415) 561-3060. To
learn more about FOGG, visit www.parksconservancy.org/fogg.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E G O L D E N G A T E N A T I O N A L P A R K S C O N S E R VA N C Y
G A T E W AY S n S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
A LIGHT LEADING
TO THE FUTURE
E
Monday, Richard Rothman contributes his time as
a volunteer docent at the
Point Bonita Lighthouse, perched
at the end of the continent. There,
at “the edge of the Earth,” with an
eye on the farthest point on the
Pacific horizon, he sees what forever might look like. Blessed with
this longest of long views, Richard
has joined the Parks Conservancy’s Silver Lupine Circle.
very
BANK OF AMERICA: Making a Lasting Impact
T
he revelry of last year’s
Golden Gate Bridge
75th Anniversary weekend and drama of the
fireworks display might have overshadowed
the debut of some truly remarkable improvements
on the south side of the Bridge.
While the festivities fade into cherished memory,
those physical enhancements endure. The goal was
to create a visitor experience to match the beauty
and grace of the Golden Gate. Mission accomplished—but not without an outpouring of support
from the philanthropic community.
With a strong historical connection
to the building of this world wonder,
Bank of America responded with a generous grant to
support a much-needed makeover for the southeast
plaza.
One of San Francisco’s most iconic and most-visited
spots, the plaza was reimagined and transformed
to better serve visitors from near and far. A centerpiece of the project is the 3,500-square-foot Pavilion, which provides information and orientation
and showcases exhibit panels and historic artifacts.
Among the many stories shared there is the tale of
Bank of America’s critical involvement in financing
the Golden Gate Bridge.
In addition to the Pavilion and revamped plaza, another lasting gift to the Bridge visitor experience is a
network of new trails and overlooks, which further
strengthen the connection between the Bridge and
the national parklands that provide its perfect frame
(the Presidio to the south and Marin Headlands to
the north, both part of the Golden Gate National
Parks).
Richard and his wife Niki—a former volunteer at the Marin Headlands Visitor Center—are members of an extraordinary group
of park supporters who have
chosen to give to the Conservancy
through a planned giving program.
Their bequest gift ensures that the
Golden Gate National Parks’ special places, like Point Bonita, are
protected and enjoyed by generations to come.
For Richard, his love affair with
Point Bonita began when he
visited the lighthouse on a Sierra
Club trip. Shortly after he retired
MEMBERS DAY 2013: May 4
W
e are grateful for you—our
esteemed Parks Conservancy
members—all year and every year. But, for a few hours each
May, we get to express that appreciation through a day of
family fun, one-of-a-kind adventures, and celebration of your support
at one of our most
beautiful park sites.
This year’s Members
Day is on Saturday,
May 4 (11 am–2 pm),
at Lands End. There
will be a “scavenger
hunt” featuring the
area’s natural and
cultural wonders,
ranger-led wildflower walks, kid-friendly Visitors enjoy dramatic vistas of Sutro Baths at Lands End
games and activities,
time to enjoy the lovely Lands End Lookout visitor center, and refreshments. Bring a picnic and make a full day of it!
Also, as a special bonus for members, take advantage of a special 20%
discount on May 4 and May 5 at the Lookout! As the date draws closer,
we’ll be sending you more information in the mail about Members Day
and you can check www.parksconservancy.org/membersday for details.
BIG DEALS FOR MEMBERS,
ALL MONTH LONG!
May is Members Appreciation
Month, and that means special
discounts and offers exclusively
for Parks Conservancy members!
Below are just some of the great
deals you can enjoy during the
month of May. Simply bring your
membership ID and save!
n
20% off at the Lands End
Lookout (May 4–5)
n
20% off at the Warming Hut
(May 11–12)
n
15% off at Greens to Go
n
Two-for-one Golden Gate Bridge
Tours at the Round House
n
10% off at Sports Basement
Please visit www.parksconservancy.org/membersappreciation
for a full listing and more details.
OF
TRUSTEES
Mark Buell
Chair
Alexander H.
Schilling
Vice Chair
Lynn Mellen Wendell
Vice Chair
David Courtney
Treasurer
Larry Low
Secretary
Janice Barger
Betsy Eisenhardt
Randi Fisher
Jessica Parish
Galloway
John C. Gamble
Sally Hambrecht
Linda Howell
Patsy Ishiyama
Martha Kropf
Colin Lind
Phil Marineau
John E. McCosker
Robert Morris
John Murray
Jacob E. Perea
Rob Price
Staci Slaughter
Michael Willis
Liaison to the
Presidio Trust
Charlene Harvey
Liaison to the
William Kent Society
Julie Parish
Recognizing the importance of the parks’ trail network to our Bay Area community, Bank of America
once again demonstrated their strong
commitment to our parks by sponsoring another important anniversary:
the 10th Anniversary of Trails Forever, a parkwide
initiative to build a world-class network of trails and
restore the adjoining landscape.
We are honored to partner with Bank of America in
achieving major milestones in 2012. Many thanks
to Bank of America and all of our Joseph Strauss
Legacy Circle and Trails Forever donors for supporting the iconic Bridge and the surrounding trails,
habitats, and opportunities for community engagement that are so integral to the Bay Area’s enviable
quality of life.
­­­­­­BOARD
Golden Gate
National Parks
Conservancy
Greg Moore
President & CEO
Public Agency
Partners
National Park
Service
Golden Gate
National Parks
Frank Dean
General Superintendent
The Presidio Trust
from his position at San Francisco
General Hospital in 2009, he began volunteering at Point Bonita.
The camaraderie with the other
dedicated volunteers and National
Park Service staff—and the fascinating history of the site itself—
keep him coming back every week.
(Ever the team player, Richard
reminds us that the lighthouse
is open Saturday, Sunday, and
Monday, 12:30–3:30 pm, and the
NPS is still looking for volunteers;
interested parties should call [415]
331-1540).
It was Richard’s desire to protect
and preserve the lighthouse—and
all the old stories and memories
still to be made—that inspired him
to join the Silver Lupine Circle.
“It’s a place of quiet contemplation for me,” Richard says. “And I
wanted to make sure it will continue to be, for many, many people,
far into the future.”
If you’d like to make a legacy gift
to the parks and join the Silver
Lupine Circle, contact Audrey Yee
at ayee@parksconservancy.org or
(415) 561-3016.
Nancy Hellman
Bechtle
Chair, Board of Directors
Craig Middleton
Executive Director
­­­­Editor: Michael Hsu
Art Direction:
Bill Prochnow
Design and Production:
Ann Joyce and
Bill Prochnow
Photos and Illustrations:
Cover: Gardens, courtesy of Alcatraz Historic
Gardens Project; Page 1:
Crissy Field vista, Tung
Chee; Mark di Suvero,
Figolu, photo: Jerry L.
Thompson, © Mark di
Suvero; Roving Ranger
sketch, courtesy of Hunt
Studios; Muir Beach,
Jessica Weinberg; Page
2: Hillside Trail, Benjamin
Mertz; flowers, Mason
Cummings; romper baby,
Alan Eckert; volunteers, Conservancy file
photo; FOGG barbecue,
Charlotte Fiorito; Page
3: Bridge plaza, Ben
Fash; Richard Rothman,
courtesy of Richard
Rothman; Sutro Baths,
Alison Taggart-Barone
Direct correspondence
to: Editor, Gateways
Parks Conservancy
Building 201, Fort Mason
San Francisco
CA 94123-1399
editor@
parksconservancy.org
Printed with soy-based
inks on recycled paper.