Urban trails allow residents to escape the city's hectic pace and explore nature in their own neighborhoods. One of the things San Franciscans value most about our parks and open spaces is the opportunity they provide for hiking and enjoying the beauty of our natural landscapes. The Recreation and Park Department's Urban Trails Program is a two-part initiative to restore key trails and expand the current volunteer trail corps to help create and maintain a trail network in the city's natural areas.
Natural Areas
San Francisco's natural areas contain almost 30 miles of trails, but many are in poor shape-difficult to access, uneven, steep, and prone to erosion. The Urban Trails Program will restore and enhance miles of trails for hikers and recreational enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy, thanks to the Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, approved by voters in 2008. This bond dedicated $5 million to improving trails and trail safety in our natural areas, restoring and protecting the natural landscapes around trails, and creating new and improved trail connections between neighboring parks.
Renovated Trails
Renovated trails will improve access to a variety of urban nature outings, from streamside rambles to breathtaking climbs to panoramic viewpoints. New and improved trail connections will help establish regional trails, enabling residents and visitors to experience miles of uninterrupted natural beauty in the middle of the city.
Funding
Because funding for trail improvements is limited, the Department has worked with community groups and stakeholders to focus on spending on parks and open spaces that have the greatest needs and would provide the greatest benefits if improved.
