Nov. election could decfine our civil liberties Jun 14, 2008
The Presidio is one of several districts within Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park System. The Presidio Trust, as a separate federal entity with a Presidentially appointed board, has issued the DSEIS.. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Fort Baker rejoins life as a public showplace Jun 14, 2008
He is the general superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and sort of the godfather of the whole project ... 1972: Congress includes Fort Baker in boundaries of new Golden Gate National Recreation Area, to be turned over to National Park Service when U.S. Army leaves. (San Francisco Chronicle)
A history of Fort Baker Jun 14, 2008
1972: Congress includes Fort Baker in boundaries of new Golden Gate National Recreation Area to be turned over to National Park Service when U.S. Army leaves. 1985: Army turns over most of Fort Baker to the Park Service. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Bicyclist likely to serve in work program for illegal trail Jun 13, 2008
More was involved in a similar incident in 2001, when federal authorities accused him and two other men of carving a four-mile illegal bike trail into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. More and the two others were indicted by a federal grand jury and eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in that case. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Visionaries thinking hotel on Alcatraz Jun 7, 2008
The National Park Service is considering what it calls a new vision for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area - and one of the proposals calls for turning one of the historic buildings on Alcatraz into a hotel. The ideas - which Park Service planner Nancy Hornor calls preliminary, includes three separate proposals for five different regions in the sprawling park, from Stinson Beach in Marin County to rolling hills in San Mateo County. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Officials considering improvements to Alcatraz Island Jun 5, 2008
A proposal by the agency that runs the Golden Gate National Recreation Area would refurbish some of the long-abandoned buildings on the island, converting them to souvenir stands, special-event venues and hotels. Besides improving facilities on Alcatraz, officials are also looking at ways to boost ecotourism to the island and to allow visitors to immerse themselves in what's being termed the prison's "atmosphere of confinement and observation.". (Fresno Bee -- State)
* Prison museums offer valuable lessons: panel May 10, 2008
Guest speaker, Rich Weideman, public affairs chief for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California, agreed that former prisons have important educational value. He has worked as a tour guide at Alcatraz Island prison since 1980 and participated in the design of education curriculums about the prison. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
U.S. parks keep sister ties in other nations May 4, 2008
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area near San Francisco is tied to parks in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. The John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez is linked to the one-time United Kingdom home of the Scottish-born conservationist. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Sudden Oak Death Pathogen Is Evolving, Restriction On Movement Of Infected Plants Urged Apr 22, 2008
Two sites emerged as the origin of the basal strains: Bean Creek in Santa Cruz County, located just outside a nursery that had been shut down because of its Sudden Oak Death infestation, and the Bolinas Ridge site in Marin County's Golden Gate National Recreation Area on Mt. Tamalpais, only 5 kilometers from the site where the disease was first observed in California. The basal strains also matched those found in the nursery samples. (Science Daily)
Coyotes moving out of headlands and into city Apr 14, 2008
"It is the sense of everybody that we are seeing more coyotes in urban areas," said Golden Gate National Recreation Area spokeswoman Chris Powell. "And we will continue to see more.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Montara Mountain sale to feds stalls - no money Apr 10, 2008
It is a landscape teeming with greenery and wildlife so unique and valuable that eager National Park Service officials are planning for it to become the southern entrance to the 74,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area ... More than four miles of the property's boundary are contiguous to existing public lands, including watershed lands owned by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission upon which the Golden Gate National Recreation Area holds a scenic and recreational easement. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Manager of Saratoga battlefield leaving Apr 1, 2008
He began his career with the park service in 1976 as a ranger at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and has worked at Sequoia and Kings Canyon as well as Yosemite parks, all in California. Dean and his wife, Diane Dean, have two children in the Saratoga Springs district who will join him in Washington after the school year ends. (Albany Times Union)
Petrified Forest park expansion stalled Apr 1, 2008
The report, "America's Heritage: For Sale," identifies Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland as other examples. Glenna Vijil, a realty officer with the National Park Service, said only one small tract of land has been acquired since expansion was approved. (USA Today -- News)
Money foiling plans to double size of Petrified Forest park Mar 31, 2008
A study to be released April 8 by the non-profit National Parks Conservation Association, says 56 federal historic and recreation sites "could lose land inside their borders to developers this year." Others on the list range from Gettysburg National Military Park near Philadelphia to Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco. Petrified Forest, among Arizona's most recognizable national parks, sprawls over nearly 100,000 acres of unique geological turf between Heber and Holbrook. (AZCentral -- News)
Home invaders: Pretty plants turn ugly fast Mar 16, 2008
Scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m., it features Sue Fritzke of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and her talk, "Protecting Wildlands Through Noninvasive Gardening," at 3:30 p.m. A garden tour and reception will follow. For information, call (415) 977-0380, Ext. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Constituents say Lantos leaves a better Coastside Feb 14, 2008
In the 1990s Lantos worked to secure the transfer of the Phleger Estate, near Woodside, to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the nation's largest urban national park and the region's biggest land preservation agency, said Rust ... "Officials with the GGNRA said Lantos marked an era in preservation."He was a significant voice in taking the vision of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and extending it down to San Mateo," said spokesman Rich Weideman.Lantos led efforts to include... (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
Longtime Rep. Tom Lantos dies of cancer Feb 13, 2008
Among his accomplishments over nearly three decades in Washington were preserving open space in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and bringing millions of federal dollars to extend BART to San Francisco International Airport. He was criticized in some quarters, however, for an unwavering support of Israel, and he wasn't afraid to be unpopular on a number of issues. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Congressman Tom Lantos succumbs to cancer Feb 12, 2008
Palo Alto Online News. Uploaded: Monday, February 11, 2008, 7:41 AM Updated: Monday, February 11, 2008, 1:52 PM. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Tom Lantos 1928-2008 Feb 12, 2008
While he lived nearly full time in Washington, he worked to add Sweeney Ridge near Pacifica and the Phleger Estate in Woodside to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, supported improvements at San Francisco International Airport and brought federal support for the Devil's Slide Bypass tunnel, which state Sen. Leland Yee wants named for Lantos. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Break from past proposed for Alcatraz Feb 5, 2008
It also played a pivotal role in the struggle by Native Americans for their civil rights when a group took over the island in 1969 and occupied it for 19 months, says Rich Weideman, spokesman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which includes the island. Alcatraz is best known, however, as the site of the desolate federal prison that opened in 1934 and once housed Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz," and others. (USA Today)
Pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge Feb 5, 2008
Many of these spots are located on the Marin side of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area ... Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Includes Alcatraz Island and The Presidio), Highway 1, 415-561-4700. (Suite101.com)
Worst practices Feb 5, 2008
"I don't think Phil Burton got the Golden Gate National Recreation Area taken away from the Department of Defense by walking around and being nice with everyone," Peskin said, referring to the late San Francisco congressman who was brusque, brazen and highly effective in his use of power. "It's really time for a truce," Supervisor Tom Ammiano said last week. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Finalists chosen for preservation job (48) Jan 26, 2008
She has worked since September 2006 as a cultural resource program manager for the National Park Service in San Francisco s Golden Gate National Recreation Area. She previously worked at Grant-Kohrs Ranch in Deer Lodge as a program assistant. (Montana Standard, MT)
This young woman leads an adventurous life Jan 18, 2008
"She came back to Maine and stayed a while with her parents before going to California where she stayed with some college friends of her mother's and volunteered with the National Park Service. Her job was to help take invasive plant species out of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area near San Francisco and she also planted trees."I love California," she said. "I backpacked along the West Coast and ended up in Seattle. "Then she started her current jobs but she still found time last summer... (Courier Publications, ME)
Legendary Lantos says he has cancer Jan 10, 2008
Lantos posed with Peninsula Open Space Trust President Audry Rust after his work to add 4,700 acres, including the massive Coastside tract known as Rancho Corral de Tierra, to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. When complete, the transfer will assure the land is held by the federal government in perpetuity. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
GGNRA asks for public's help to halt decline of wildlife species Jan 3, 2008
The Park Service and allied private organizations started a contest Tuesday called the Big Year aimed at aiding the Golden Gate National Recreation Area's 33 endangered and threatened species, including the California red-legged frog, the San Francisco garter snake and two runs of wild Chinook salmon ... And of all the parks, Golden Gate National Recreation Area hosts the most imperiled species ... In 2004, the National Park Service, in an effort to help the snake, created a small pond at San... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Lantos Era Ending Jan 3, 2008
In his 27 years in Congress, Lantos has been praised for helping to preserve open space in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and bringing millions of federal dollars to extend BART to San Francisco International Airport. An animal lover who for years brought his poodle, Gigi, to his office, he pushed through a bill last year requiring authorities to make plans to evacuate pets during disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Environmental lawyer Brent Plater thinks his "big year" idea will help local endangered species Dec 31, 2007
There are 33 endangered species in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. That's one for every year Brent Plater has been alive. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Lists and stats Dec 18, 2007
The biggest gains were seen in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (in California, up 437,000 recreational visits); the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (in eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, up 281,000 visits); Lincoln Memorial (in Washington, up 324,000 visits); the National World War II Memorial (in Washington, up 245,000 visits); Yellowstone (in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, up 284,000 visits) and Yosemite (in California, up 234,000 visits). OUTBOUND TRAVEL STATISTICS:... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Travel)
Muir Woods celebrates first 100 years as national monument Dec 18, 2007
1972: The founding of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which now manages Muir Woods. Muir Woods facts. (San Francisco Chronicle)
CHRONICLEWATCH: Working for a Better Bay Area Dec 11, 2007
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area has been moving forward with plans to redesign the path, and has been working with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition as well as accessibility consultants to create something that they hope will work for all users. The designs are almost complete, but the agency won't be able to begin construction until Congress passes a budget for the National Park Service. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Ship's owners, pilot sued over spilled oil Dec 2, 2007
The government said the oil spill had affected the Gulf of the Farrallones National Marine Sanctuary, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Point Reyes National Seashore and other protected federal waters. Bermuda-based Sigco, as the insurance company is known, was founded specifically to respond to claims under the 1990 pollution act, and the government's lawsuit said its liability may be capped by law. (Los Angeles Times)
US sues ship and pilot for San Francisco spill Dec 1, 2007
The federal lawsuit, filed in the Northern District Court of California, seeks unspecified damages for fuel cleanup in several national parks and marine sanctuaries, including Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (Reporting by Amanda Beck; Editing by Adam Tanner and Peter Cooney). (Reuters)
Coastal Commission appeals play out Nov 28, 2007
The Half Moon Bay Review. The California Coastal Commission will not consider an appeal against the Carnoustie subdivision in Half Moon Bay, but will hear arguments on permits for a single-family home in the city, held by the Pastorino family. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
POST buys 204 acres near El Granada Nov 28, 2007
Managers hope to include the entire property as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area some day ... Managers hope to include the entire property as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area some day. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
Would-be bodysurfer sues to establish a beachhead at Stinson Nov 27, 2007
" Sandmann, the Seadrift lawyer, disagrees. "If it is not specifically granted, then it is not something the public has a right to do," he said. Similar fights over public access have cropped up at Sea Ranch in Sonoma County, Shelter Cove in Humboldt County, Hollister Ranch in Santa Barbara County and in Malibu. It is a particularly important issue in the Bay Area, where some of the great fights to preserve public access have been waged. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area was established... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Waters off Rodeo Beach closed - shark spotted Nov 22, 2007
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area automatically shuts any beach where a shark is spotted for five days following the sighting. If no more of the predators are seen this week, Weidman anticipates opening the beach Friday morning, he said. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Shark sighting prompts closure of Rodeo Beach Nov 21, 2007
A spokesman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area says officials decided to close the waters to the public after three people reported seeing a shark killing a seal about 150 feet offshore Sunday morning. The spokesman says if no more sharks are seen this week, the waters may be opened again Friday morning. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Beaches reopen; fishing ban could be lifted soon Nov 18, 2007
The National Park Service might close San Francisco beaches again, depending on what the wind and tides deliver to the shoreline over the next few weeks, said Golden Gate National Recreation Area spokesman Rich Weideman. "Even if there's no oil on the surface of the beach, sand moves around a lot," he said. (San Francisco Chronicle)
After oil spill, San Franciscans go south to surf, fish, frolic Nov 18, 2007
Several beaches in the Point Reyes National Seashore, Pacifica and in the Golden Gate National Recreation area of San Francisco reopened for swimming and recreation Saturday after officials deemed the waters safe. "Would I hesitate to go in the water?" asked Steve Edinger, assistant chief of the California Department of Fish and Game. (Fresno Bee -- State)
On their own: In Bolinas, residents struggle to keep fragile lagoon safe Nov 11, 2007
" It was the third day in a row the locals were left to their own devices, even as oil washed ashore on Stinson Beach, leaving speckles of tar in the sand. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area closed down the southern portion of Stinson, but the residents of Bolinas were largely on their own. Bolinas Lagoon is a major winter migration destination, where birds flying south from Alaska and northern Canada reside during the rainy season. More than 100 species of birds and a colony of some 200... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Official oil cleanup ramps up, frustrated volunteers turned away Nov 11, 2007
And Chris Powell, a spokeswoman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, said Ocean Beach is "not a place we need a concentration of people even though we know you want to help out." ... Rich Weideman, spokesman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area that administers Muir Beach, said he could understand the citizen impulse to help. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Volunteers flock to Marin beaches hit hard by the spill Nov 10, 2007
Chris Powell, the spokeswoman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, said the Coast Guard and National Park Service staff were determining what areas are in the most danger and which sensitive habitat is in need of protection. "The lagoons at Rodeo and Muir beaches are considered highly sensitive areas," Powell said. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Headlands fouled: Would-be seabird rescuers can only watch Nov 9, 2007
"Nine of our beach areas are closed," said Chris Powell, spokeswoman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. "The worst of our beaches appear to be on the Marin side of the bay.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
San Francisco: Spectacular Bay Area hikes Nov 2, 2007
Take a quick drive from downtown San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands, which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The park contains miles of excellent hiking trails, many with postcard views of San Francisco. (CNN -- Travel)
Thirst for property values leaves Bay Area at risk of wildfires Oct 28, 2007
In the end, said Alex Naar, fire management officer for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, it comes down to what price citizens are willing to pay for living in the Bay Area. "The balance of wanting to live in beautiful places is we have a responsibility to keep the natural resources healthy and safe," Naar said. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
more reader opinions Oct 28, 2007
Editor - If Congress takes action this fall to launch the proposed National Park Centennial Challenge, our national parks, including Golden Gate National Recreation Area and others serving urban populations, could receive significant new funding to help connect our parks to the people. The Centennial Challenge is a new program that would match federal dollars with private funding to improve our parks. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Youths connect with nature through Crissy Field Center program Oct 23, 2007
"It's all about making these parks relevant," said Cleveland Justis, director of community programs for the conservancy, the nonprofit, membership-supported partner of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. "It's not about just taking kids camping. It's trying to create a ladder of learning, a place that can be a gathering spot for young people.". (San Francisco Chronicle)
Children detach from natural world as they explore the virtual one Oct 22, 2007
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area engages 30,000 school-age children in outdoor and environmental programs in the park every year, many of them ethnic minorities from the inner city. Numerous outdoor education programs for inner-city youngsters have also been implemented at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which borders urban areas of Los Angeles. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Hiking in the San Francisco Bay Area Oct 21, 2007
Take a quick drive from downtown San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands, which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, www. nps. (North County Times)
Golden Gate Bridge district scales back corporate sponsorship plans Oct 17, 2007
At the visitor plaza Monday, tourists posed for pictures and looked at a section of the bridge's old main cable and a small, weather-beaten Golden Gate National Recreation Area sign that contains facts and history about the bridge. The only corporate logo in view was the Haagen Dazs name atop three brown table umbrellas near the Bridge Cafe. (San Francisco Chronicle)
West Marin Mini-Stonehenge Oct 7, 2007
" The quirky coastal hamlet of Bolinas is famously hard to find - residents have been known to rip down the directional road signs. But to add a hunt for a stone circle that's even more elusive than the town itself? Bring it on. Preliminary calls to both Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the large swaths of recreational land north and east of Bolinas, get me answers like "Huh. " and "What. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Travel)
Baker Beach gets helping hands Oct 1, 2007
The event was organized by Take Pride in America, a U.S. Department of the Interior agency established to help encourage volunteerism, and the day was co-sponsored by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio Trust, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and REI. ... It's not just kids that need the reminder, said Derek Carr, a maintenance worker for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area who leads volunteer groups about twice a week. (San Francisco Chronicle)
The Few, the Proud, the Banned... Sep 26, 2007
Instead, the elite group took its austere display to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area for the final segment of its "America's Marines" TV commercial. The group is on a two-month nationwide tour as part of the campaign. (Fox News)
Bay Area parks would profit from Park Service improvement plans Aug 25, 2007
Under the plan, national parks in California would get $54 million in the 2008 fiscal year, including $45 million for some Northern California parks: the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Point Reyes National Seashore, Redwood National Park, Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Lava Beds National Monument ... In the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, $3 ... All the projects are "ready to go," said Brian O'Neill, superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Plants that make the birds feel at home Aug 23, 2007
Native plant programs flourish in places like the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, complete with starter nurseries, where volunteer gardeners can learn some chops. The California Native Plant Society sponsors annual sales, field trips and lectures. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Animal Group Increases Reward In Poisoned Dogs Case Aug 14, 2007
Mill Valley police, the Marin County Sheriff's Office and officials with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area are investigating the deaths, Machado said. Dog owner Elizabeth Mee said that on a normal day, the trail would seem like a dog paradise. (NBC 11, CA)
3 dogs dead in Marin, intentional poisoning suspected Aug 11, 2007
Officials in Marin County warned pet owners Thursday to keep an eye on their animals after three dogs died from an apparently intentional poisoning this week after a walk in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area ... Mill Valley police, the Marin County Sheriff's Department and officials from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area are assisting Humane Society officials in their investigation, and the agencies have posted signs in the area warning pet owners of the possible danger. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Taking in the North Bay sights with Coastwalk group Aug 9, 2007
For example, on Aug. 23-26, there will be an extended, insider visit to the Marin Headlands and the holdings of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Participants will be guided along the flanks of Mount Tamalpais and through Muir Woods, visit the Zen Center at Green Gulch, enjoy a private tour of the Point Bonita Lighthouse and hike the legendary Dipsea Trail to Stinson Beach. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Houston Woman Dies In Alcatraz Aquathlon Aug 7, 2007
The annual race, which was held Sunday, begins at Alcatraz and finishes at Crissy Field in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The race featured 569 registered swimmers of all ages, said race director Gary Emich. (Click2Houston, TX)
Unmanned drones to replace unit Jul 14, 2007
Confirmation of the 76th's demise comes as the unit just recorded its 158th save on July 8 a stranded 35-year-old hiker who had fallen off a trail in Golden Gate National Recreation Area near San Francisco. Since 1973, crews from Vandenberg Air Force Base's lone aircraft unit have also battled fires, rescued stranded hikers, drowned out protesters speaking at the main gate and been on standby for space shuttle missions such as the recent landing at Edwards Air Force Base. (Santa Maria Times)
Bars to birds Jun 30, 2007
Under plans by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area which manages the rugged rock in the middle of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz is poised to be transformed into a beacon for progressive communities. Although Alcatraz slammed shut its prison doors for the last time in 1963, the island continues to welcome hundreds of visitors on a daily basis, becoming San Francisco's premier tourist attraction. (iAfrica.com)
Caroline Werth to Head Fort Mason Center Jun 22, 2007
"Our vision calls for us to become the most dynamic urban park in America and the home for a wide variety of exciting and thought-provoking events, programs, and productions that reflect the diversity of the Bay Area. We also want to take full advantage of Fort Mason's spectacular waterfront location and historical physical assets. "With our recently signed 60-year lease with the National Park Service, our corresponding assumption of full responsibility for the renovation and use of the... (PR Newswire)
A Dog's Life In SF Jun 18, 2007
" Off-leash dog parks in San Francisco Alta Plaza Park (Jackson and Steiner) Second park terrace, on Clay, between Scott and Steiner. Bernal Heights (Bernal Hts. and Esmerelda) Top of hill, entire section bounded by Bernal Heights Blvd. Buena Vista Park (Buena Vista and Haight) Buena Vista West at Central. Corona Heights (16th St. and Roosevelt) Field area adjacent to Randall Museum at Roosevelt and Museum Way. Dolores Park (19th St. and Dolores) South of tennis courts, north of soccer field,... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Beaches on our minds, but which are best? May 31, 2007
Muir Beach, Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) -- This is a west-facing beach, best on calm days during low tide. Find it by going west from Tam Junction at the south end of Mill Valley on the Shoreline Highway for 5 miles. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
