SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco Recreation and Park Department officials this week celebrated new improvements completed at Golden Gate Park’s Middle Lake, resulting in nearly 2 acres of glistening water where a dry lakebed and invasive species stood for decades. The upgrades ensure native plants and local wildlife are now thriving.
Middle Lake, located near JFK and Chain of Lake drives, is part of the Chain of Lakes, a historical system of water management initially developed by Park Superintendent John McLaren in the late 1890s. The three lakes were created over sand dunes and seasonal ponds to utilize the Westside Basin's freshwater resources. The surrounding area is a hub for wildlife, including diverse species of birds and small mammals.
Rec and Park began construction on the Middle Lake Restoration Project in late 2022—the largest environmental undertaking in the park in nearly 20 years. It consisted of installing a new 18-inch clay liner that expands the size of the lake from 56,890 square feet to 83,230 square feet; and rehabilitating a historic cascade, which now takes the form of an 800-foot-long creek that flows down the hillside into the lake.
The project also focused on creating a scenic trail around the 14-acre area, adding features such as vegetated stone edges, terraced wetland shelves, and repurposed fallen trees for habitat enhancement. The trails received new signage to facilitate access for people with limited mobility. The area includes new seating areas, a picnic lawn, and a scenic meadow overlook that can be reserved for weddings.
The project removed more than 3 acres of invasive vegetation, replacing it with some 10,000 native plants. Rec and Park planted two new trees for every single tree removed during the project, a department policy.
“Middle Lake is one of Golden Gate Park’s most extraordinary environmental features and, like all time-worn treasures, it was due for an extensive update,” said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “Part of the project’s goal was to strengthen the lake and beautify the park, but it also aimed to increase biodiversity—as San Franciscans aren’t the only ones who flock to the lake in droves. Middle Lake is an extremely important habitat for a variety of birds, including ducks, cormorants, geese, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, and great blue herons, just to name a few.”
Along with resident and migratory birds, the improved habitat also benefits reptiles and amphibians including the protected California red-legged frog, and smaller mammals such as coyotes, gray foxes, and raccoons.
The project was funded by a combination of sources including the 2012 and 2020 Park Bonds, the General Fund, and the Open Space Fund, totaling $10.8 million.
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