Things are happening!
Our fundraising campaign for doggie waste bags this Spring brought in over $1500 to the badly depleted coffers of the Friends of Mt. Lake Park. A big thank you to all our dog run supporters! We did the research and chose to buy and install these biodegradable bags and dispensers. We are working with the gardeners and Rec and Park to be able to dispose of the used bags properly so they do not end up in a landfill.
Wednesday Projects
Some people can't volunteer on Saturdays but can come during the week. We are now organizing volunteer opportunites on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 10 A.M. until noon. FMLP board member Scott Whelan is coordinating these with gardener Aaron Hilliard. Scott's email address is scott@fmlp.org. Meet near the bathrooms at the west end of the park. Even with three or four people, a lot of project work has already been done.
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.
Presidio Trust Sues CalTrans over Mountain Lake Contamination
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.
