- EXPLORE OUR PARKS
- Park Improvements
- Active Park Projects
- McLaren Park
- McLaren Park - Trails Improvement Project
McLaren Park - Trails Improvement Project
Scope of Work
The improvements proposed by the McLaren Park Vision Plan (PDF) build on the existing trail network, including Philosopher’s Way. The framework includes multi-use loops in both the north and south half of the park and a thoughtful system of trails interior to the park that invite more adventurous visitors, on both foot and bicycle, into the wild core. The Recreation and Parks Department has identified four priority project areas with improvements to be completed with 2012 Bond funding due to the combination of their potential impact and the need to have a licensed contractor complete the more technical aspects in these areas. The Vision Plan outlines other improvements to be made as part of a future phase when other funding is identified.
The creation or restoration of natural features, such as lakes, meadows and landscapes and the creation or restoration of habitat for the park’s many species of plants and animals are included in this project scope. This work will be planned, designed and constructed in conjunction with the trail improvements. Trail and restoration work is completed together because many trails pass through or are nearby significant natural resource areas. When visitors are walking, running or biking on trails they can enjoy being near the healthy natural landscapes and habitats. This also helps guide the understanding of where sensitive habitats are in the park and provides the opportunity for education and stewardship.
Completed Improvements to McLaren Trails
The McLaren Trail Connector Project, which was funded by a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, was completed in 2014. This project included improvements to 3 trail entryways in McLaren Park: Campbell Avenue, Visitacion Avenue Fire Road, and Persia just east of the picnic area.
Funding
- $2 million from 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Citywide Trails Program
- $1.5 million from 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond for John McLaren Park: for natural features work
- $250,000 from an Outdoor Environmental Education Grant through the California Natural Resources Agency Department of Parks and Recreation
- $207,000 from a Habitat Conservation Fund Grant through the California Department of Parks and Recreation
Project Schedule
Phase | Timeline |
Planning | Winter 2019 |
Design | Winter 2022 |
Construction starts | Spring 2023 |
Open to the public | Spring 2025 |
Project Updates
If you would like to sign-up for Project Update blog posts like the ones below, click here, scroll down to the News Flash section, and then select "RPD Park Improvements | All Project Updates" to receive updates on all our active projects, or pick-and-choose your blog subscriptions by project name. You’ll receive an email that includes a link to confirm your new subscription for each blog for which you sign-up.
-
-
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
Louis Sutter Playground update | February 2023
Construction is underway south of Louis Sutter Playground! We are removing a failing pathway... Read on... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
McLaren Trails Project Walk POSTPONED for the June 14th event
June 14th at 8:30 am site walk postponed . . . Read on... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
McLaren Park 3/7 Trails Walk Recap
Notes from the 3/7 trails walk through three priority areas. Read on... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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...
Project Details
- McLaren Trails Priority Improvements – Natural Resource Management Areas, October 2022 (PDF)
- McLaren Trails Priority Improvements – Visitacion Avenue Corridor – detail view, October 2022 (PDF)
- McLaren Trails Priority Improvements - proposed plans #1, September 2022 (PDF)
- McLaren Trails Priority Improvements - proposed plans #2, September 2022 (PDF)
Commission Materials
Grant Materials
Community Meetings - Notes and Presentations
-
Lauren Dietrich Chavez
Project ManagerPhone: 1-628-652-6643