Park Trails Improvement Program (2008 and 2012 Bond)

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. Urban trails allow residents to escape the city's hectic pace and explore nature in their own neighborhoods. 

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.

1. 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 restored and enhanced miles of trails for hikers and recreational enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy.

2. Renovated Trails

Renovated trails improved access to a variety of urban nature outings, from streamside rambles to breathtaking climbs to panoramic viewpoints. New and improved trail connections helped 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.

Voters approved the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, which allocated $4 million to the Park Trail Improvement Program, and the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, which included $5 million for the Park Trail Improvement Program. The Park Trail Improvement Program funds the restoration of recreational trails, protection of our natural resources, development of trail networks, and improvement of overall trail safety. Thanks to these two voter-approved bonds, RPD has created and improved miles and miles of safe and renovated paths to explore!

Parks Currently Slated for More Park Trail Improvements

Parks with Completed Trail Reconstruction Projects

  1. Project Update Blog
  2. Documents and Materials
  1. Capital Project Update

    Twin Peaks Pedestrian Walkway update | February 2023

    We’re happy to share that our design team at the Department of Public Works (DPW) has completed a major project milestone... Read on...
  2. Capital Project Update

    Louis Sutter Playground | Path improvements complete | Construction update July 2023

    Our replacement of a failed asphalt pathway south of Louis Sutter Playground is now complete! The fencing has been Read on...
  3. Capital Project Update

    Louis Sutter Playground | Construction update July 2023

    A quick construction update on Louis Sutter Playground. We passed our accessibility inspections and construction fencing is coming down soon Read on...
  4. Capital Project Update

    Complete the McLaren Park 2020 Bond Planning priorities survey

    We’ve created a new map-based survey to collect your thoughts on possible programming, infrastructure, and connectivity improvements in John McLaren Park. Please take 15-20 minutes Read on...
  5. Capital Project Update

    Shelley Promenade Project in McLaren Park | Reminder: Proposal at Rec & Parks Commission tomorrow

    The Recreation and Parks Commission will hear the proposed Shelley Promenade Project tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Read on...
  6. Capital Project Update

    Shelley Promenade Project in McLaren Park | Proposal goes to Recreation and Parks Commission in June

    The Operations Committee of the Recreation and Parks Commission will hear the proposed Shelley Promenade Project Read on...
  7. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Trails design is underway! Virtual meeting, 4/11 at 6pm

    We have been working on environmental compliance for the McLaren Trails project, which is complicated, as most of the trail work Read on...
  8. Capital Project Update

    Virtual Community Meeting, April 11 | McLaren 2020 Bond – Possible Projects and Priorities

    Join us for a Virtual Community Meeting on April 11. The project team will share possible project ideas for specific program areas, infrastructure improvements, and Read on...
  9. Capital Project Update

    SF Rec and Park Commission Meeting at Joe Lee Rec Center | March 16 at 10 a.m.

    Come meet your Rec and Park Commissioners at our offsite Commission meeting at Joe Lee Rec Center Read on...
  10. Capital Project Update

    Louis Sutter Playground update | February 2023

    Construction is underway south of Louis Sutter Playground! We are removing a failing pathway... Read on...
  11. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park Trails Project Presentation to Commission on 12/7!

    The final draft conceptual design for the McLaren Trails Priority Improvements project will be presented to the Recreation and Parks Capital Committee . . . Read on...
  12. Capital Project Update

    Presentation of the McLaren Trails final draft plans, Monday 10/17/2022 at 6:30pm

    Thanks to everyone who attended trail walks or otherwise shared dialogue with staff this summer . . . Read on...
  13. Capital Project Update

    Trail walks in McLaren Park 6/29 and 7/14

    Recreation & Parks is hosting two trail walks to share proposed priority trail improvements . . . Read on...
  14. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Trails Project Walk POSTPONED for the June 14th event

    June 14th at 8:30 am site walk postponed . . . Read on...
  15. Capital Project Update

    Trail Walks in McLaren Park, June 14th (Postponed) and June 29th!

    Kickoff summer with some time out in nature and join us for one or two upcoming walks through McLaren Park! Read on...
  16. Capital Project Update

    Volunteers on Saturdays at the McLaren Native Plant Garden

    Volunteer at the McLaren Park Native Plant Garden in Visitacion Valley on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Read on...
  17. Capital Project Update

    Trails update and Visitacion Ave Streetscape Meeting 2/10

    The McLaren Trails Priority Improvements project team has been working with the Planning Department on environmental compliance Read on...
  18. Capital Project Update

    Construction at the McLaren Park Native Plant Garden will begin this week!

    The McLaren Park Native Plant Garden will showcase the benefits of California Native Plants, beautify the Visitacion Avenue corridor, . . . Read on...
  19. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park Native Plant Garden Project Plans

    The McLaren Park Native Plant Garden transforms a blighted and hazardous corner of McLaren Park into a functional open space, providing a safe resource for recreation and environmental education about the . . . Read on...
  20. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Trails - Native Plant Garden meeting this evening and pathway work upcoming

    Parks Alliance is hosting a virtual meeting this evening at 6pm to . . . Read on...
  21. Capital Project Update

    Follow Up from 5/20/20 Virtual Community Meeting

    Thank you to the 40 community members who stepped into the unknown with the Project Team for Rec and Parks first virtual community meeting! Read on...
  22. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Trails Virtual Community Meeting TODAY 4pm

    The next community meeting for the McLaren Trails Priority Improvements Project will be online TODAY at 4pm. Read on...
  23. Capital Project Update

    Conceptual Design Process Continues for McLaren Trails Priority Projects

    I hope you are well and finding opportunities to connect with nature and virtually connect with community during this time of sheltering in place. Read on...
  24. Capital Project Update

    McLaren Park 3/7 Trails Walk Recap

    Notes from the 3/7 trails walk through three priority areas. Read on...
  25. Capital Project Update

    NEXT TRAIL WALK SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 7

    We will have our second trails walk in the concept design process on Saturday, March 7th Read on...
  26. Capital Project Update

    TRAIL WALK #1 – VISITACION AVENUE CORRIDOR

    Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday 11/16/19 for our 1st Trail Walk in the concept design process! Read on...
  27. Capital Project Update

    MCLAREN PARK TRAILS AND PATHS PROJECT – SITE WALK

    We are all set to have a site walk to discuss the trails and paths portion of the McLaren Park Project. Read on...
  28. Capital Project Update

    HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND GRANT SOUGHT FOR MCLAREN PARK TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS AT VISITACION AVE

    The McLaren Park Trails Improvement Project team has applied for another grant in an effort to leverage already committed 2012 Bond funding. Read on...