Twin Peaks Trails Improvement and Promenade Project

Description

Twin Peaks is one of the most-visited natural areas, with stunning 360-degree views of the city and surrounding Bay Area. The Twin Peaks trail network was in poor condition with failing steps, redundant social trails that contributed to erosion and loss of sensitive habitat, and a lack of trail identification and wayfinding signage.

Scope of Work

The Twin Peaks Trails Improvement Project involves improving the trail system via more sustainable realignment, restoration of previously disturbed areas, installation of new steps as needed, and wayfinding signage. These measures improve public safety, reduce erosion, help preserve adjacent habitat, and improve the experience for park users. The conceptual plan for this work was approved by the Rec and Park Commission and some of the work completed (see below).  However, due to funding constraints, there is still work to be done.  

The Promenade is the section of Twin Peaks Boulevard that runs along the eastern base of the two peaks and that was permanently closed as a roadway via MTA Board action.  The scope of work for the Promenade includes converting the closed roadway to a rustic but welcoming linear park.

Completed

• A new multi-use trail segment adjacent to Twin Peaks Boulevard but off the roadway, starts at the intersection of Twin Peaks Boulevard and Portola Avenue and continues to the first curve in the road. This trail was completed by volunteers, in partnership with V-O-Cal (Volunteers for Outdoor California) and SF Urban Riders.  In addition to providing greater pedestrian safety, this trail segment connects, via the sidewalk, Portola Ave crosswalk and through a trail on the School of the Arts property, to Glen Canyon Park, which completes the “Creeks to Peaks” Trail (2013 – 2014)
• Addition of 3 crosswalks serving trail users, in partnership with SFMTA and SF Public Works, as part of Twin Peaks Boulevard repaving and the Pilot Road Closure (2015)
• Twin Peaks Trails Improvement Project Phase 1: major overhaul of 2 critical trail segments: the trail up and over the north peak and the trail adjacent to Mission Blue Butterfly habitat at the first curve (2017)
• Figure 8 Redesign Planning Study: funded by a Priority Conservation Area Grant, in partnership with SFMTA (2015 – 2018)

Planned

• Improvements to the remaining trail segments that were included as part of the approved concept design but which were excluded from the Phase 1 project due to insufficient funding: the trail up and over the south peak, the trail just south of that and, if funding allows, the trail down to Crestline Drive, the nearest Muni stop, and the neighborhood to the East (funded, to be completed by end of 2023)
• Conversion of the closed eastern half of the Twin Peaks Boulevard “Figure 8” to a linear park “promenade” (still finalizing administration and design and working to secure funding)

Funding

• 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond
• 2010 Habitat Conservation Fund (Twin Peaks Trails Improvements) grant
• 2013 Habitat Conservation Fund (Creeks to Peaks) grant (for trail improvements at Glen Canyon Park as well as at Twin Peaks)
• Priority Conservation Area grants (2)
• 2020 Health and Recovery Bond