Things are happening!
Improving Mountain Lake Park Entrances!
The Friends of Mountain Lake Park and Rec & Park gardeners Chuck McMackin and Aaron Hilliard have agreed on an interim planting plan for the entrances to Mountain Lake Park from Eighth Avenue to Funston. The purpose of the plan is twofold.
First, we want the entrances to be more attractive; they have been given little planting design energy over the past few years. Second, we want a "roadmap" agreed to by both Rec & Park staff and volunteers so that arbitrary plantings are not done which are, in reality, long-range decisions made on the fly.
The emphasis in plant selection will be on California natives, though not exclusively. Once established, these plants are drought tolerant and most provide a beautiful display of Spring blossoms. Our planting palette includes Coffeeberry, Ceanothus, Ribes, Rock Rose, Fremontadendron and others.Thus far, we have finished the Tenth Avenue entrance and cleared unwanted plants from Eleventh Avenue. You can see photos of our progress here.
NEW Wednesday Projects
Some people can't volunteer on Saturdays but can come during the week. So we are trying out work parties every other Wednesday from 10 A.M. until noon. The first Wednesday session was on February 4th and the next will be May 13th. Please let FMLP coordinator Scott Whelan know if you plan to come. His email address is scott@fmlp.org Meet at the Ninth Avenue entrance. Even with three or four people, a lot of project work has already been done.
In January 2009, the Presidio Trust sued the California Department of Transportation concerning the historic and ongoing contamination of Mountain Lake from Highway 1 (Park Presidio Boulevard). The case is pending in federal court in San Francisco before Magistrate Judge Zimmerman. You can read the complaint that the Presidio Trust filed here. Check back here for updates on what happens as the case progresses.
Trains on Lake Street?
Courtesy of train buff Chuck McMackin, who is also the head gardener for the Richmond District for Rec & Park, we have posted historic photographs of Muni Trains in the Inner Richmond.
FMLP now accepting online donations. The Friends of Mountain Lake Park have added a DONATE button to our website --on the left side of each page. We can accept tax-deductible contributions via credit card or with your PayPal account. We also gladly accept checks. (Click the "Donate" link at the top of the home page for mailing instructions.)
Right now, the primary expense of FMLP is for the dog cleanup bags at the three dispensing stations in the park. It would be great if dog owners would contribute to this expense.
However, it is likely that FMLP will embark on a fundraising effort in 2009 to support development of a new vegetation management plan for the park.
Old photographs of Mountain Lake. Courtesy of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Photo Collection, we have posted rarely seen photographs of Mountain lake.
about Mountain Lake Park
Mountain Lake Park comprises fourteen beautiful acres in San Francisco's Richmond District. It sits just south of Mountain Lake, one of the last remaining natural fresh water lakes in the City.
google map to mountain lake park