John McLaren Park (San Francisco, California)

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  sflindad (guest)

  History of McLaren Park from Friends of McLaren Park website. McLaren Park is one of the largest and most treasured parks in San Francisco. It was named after John McLaren, the superintendent of Golden Gate Park from 1887-1943. Its 317 acres include natural ares rich in native plants and animals, lawns and planted gardens, as well as transition areas between the two. Before the immigrants came to the San Francisco Bay Area, the Ohlone Indians coexisted with a wild incredible array of organisms. Plants, fungi, insects, and animals provided for their material and spiritual well being. The site of McLaren Park was once part of two ranchos granted by Governor Alvarado in 1840 when California was a part of Mexico. Four homestead associations formed in the 1860s to promote housing developments throughout the southern portion of San Francisco. The current park land and the adjacent Portola neighborhood were designated the University Homestead Association and layed out in the traditional grid iron pattern. Because of the hilly topography and a lack of roads, few lots were sold on what is now McLaren Park; the rest of the land remained farmland, greenhouses and gardens. The highest and most hilly areas remained undeveloped. In 1904 Daniel H. Burnham proposed that the hilly areas in the homesteads be made a city park. The final purchases of private property to create the present McLaren Park were completed in 1958. By early 1927, the year in which the park hosted a celebration dedicating it to John McLaren, the city's Superintendent of Parks, hundreds of new trees had already been planted and in 1939, the SPA work force completed installation of a long system of foot paths, hiking, fire, and equestrian trails, culverts, roadways and view drive. In addition, they completed the planting of over 10,000 trees of the eucalptus, cyress and pine varietites. McLaren Park offers a host of recreational amenities: Louis Sutter Playground provides the largest area of recreational facilities including: a community clubhouse, 2 baseball diamonds, 2 tennis courts, a full size basketball court, 2 modern play areas for children, a junior soccer field and 16 tables for picnicking. Herz Playground provides an indoor swimming pool (Coffman Pool) a full size basketball court, a soccer field, a baseball diamond, 2 tennis courts and a large play area for children. The Tennis Complex offers 6 first rate tennis courts. Two additional 1/2 size courts for basketball are along the north perimeter.There is a vast network of trails for hiking, walking and jogging comprised of 7 miles of improved trails throughout the park and an array of unimproved rock trails on the parks southern slopes. It is possible to walk completely around the park on the path system. Two bodies of water, the park's reservoir in the north west corner and McNab Lake in the Sutter Playground are bounded by paved paths. 75 tables for picnickers are found throughout the park, some in remote locations for visitors looking for quiet and serenity while others are located in the playgrounds. Golf A little known but much prized feature is the nine hole Glen Eagles Golf Course located along the southern slopes of the park. Managed by a concessionaire, the challenging course has proven to be a great place to practice one game while out of the watchful eye of players on the more well known courses. Entrance to the course is along Sunnydale St. in Visitacion Valley. Water Elements A water tower, a reservoir, and a lake are notable architectural features of the park . The 80 foot blue colored water tower , which sits 495 feet above sea level on a crest in the northwest corner of the park not only serves as a beacon through which the park can be located from many parts of the city but also serves as the water supply for the surrounding community. A stylishly landscaped reservoir just below the water tower provides irrigation for the park and serves as a swimming whole for the local dog community. Because the reservoir is surrounded by an improved path it has become a popular venue for joggers (see hiking and jogging). The third water feature is the attractive Lake McNab which is located at the Louis Sutter Playground on the east perimeter of the park. Functionally, the lake serves as catchment for water draining from the parks upper reaches. The lake is most noted as a venue for the varied bird life which have made it their home. Theater The Jerry Garcia Ampitheater is one of the more stiking architectural features of McLaren Park and one that is unique to San Francisco. Located in a secluded and natural depression of the park just off the east leg of Shelley Drive, it is a modern interpretation of the greek style amphitheater: bowl shaped with audience seats ascending from stage level up along the hillside to a height of approximately 60 ft.. Noted for its excellent accoustics and able to accomodate an audience of 700, it is gradually becoming a popular venue for theatrical and musical events. It was named in honor of Jerry Garcia, musician with the Grateful Dead and artist, who grew up in the Excelsior attended neighborhood schools and played in the park. Natural Features McLaren Park has natural grasslands, wildflowers,riparian areas, and wildlife, especially birds within its topography.

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