![]() ![]() They have also salvaged over 1,800 native wetland plants from construction areas and planted over 9,000 native plants during the 2007 winter rainy season. Over 1,400 volunteers have participated in stewardship efforts totaling over 40,000 hours of restoration work on site since 2007. ![]() Volunteers have played a huge role in the enhancement of this site. During all our earth movement, biomonitors were used to search-and protect-all wildlife before any work was performed on site.Specialists carefully monitored the removal and tested the site to ensure that no remnant diesel was left on site. A specially licensed hazardous material excavator removed about 2,000 tons of contaminated material from a diesel fuel spill (presumably from Mori Point’s history as a refueling station).An estimated 45 cubic yards of debris were removed from the site including two bathtubs, one shopping cart, 12 tires, and several vehicle axels.Over 5,300 native plants were propagated in park nurseries to restore wetland, grassland, and coastal scrub habitat.Three new frog ponds were constructed to expand breeding habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog and enhance the foraging territory for the endangered San Francisco garter snake.Design drawn for a boardwalk that integrates the needs to interpret the site for visitors and to protect endangered species through innovative features like “earthen islands.” These earthen “breaks” in the boardwalk serve both as a basking area for the garter snake and as a tactile cue for the visually impaired that they are approaching some interpretive Braille signage.198 box timber steps constructed along previously eroded segments of the Coastal Trial, including a path connecting the sea wall to the top of Mori Point.800 feet of non-designated social trails were removed to create a safe and streamlined trail system and improve wildlife corridors.Highlights of the work at Mori Point include: To improve visitor access to Mori Point while supporting the restoration of habitat for sensitive species, this project was launched by Trails Forever (a partnership initiative of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, National Park Service, and Presidio Trust) and the Parks Conservancy’s Site Stewardship Program. When Mori Point was transferred to the National Park Service in 2002, the landscape was fragmented by erosion, disturbed habitat, and an unruly network of "social trails."Ĭross section of boardwalk showing new pond on the uphill sideĭespite all these landscape disturbances, Mori Point continues to support a viable population of the endangered San Francisco garter snake and the threatened California red-legged frog. In more recent years, this site experienced extensive ranching, quarrying, motor-biking, and numerous development proposals, including one for a high-end casino. ![]() In the 1800's this coastal area featured a farm and roadhouse inn during Prohibition it was a bootlegger’s haven and home to a notorious speakeasy. It was also a particular challenge to work on a site that endured a diverse history of use. At the same time, planning and design of the project at Mori Point had to incorporate goals of natural resource protection, recreational use, interpretation, community involvement, and accessibility, among others. Staff had to hear their needs and desires, integrate and balance that input, and maintain a strong relationship with all parties. There were a wide variety of stakeholders with an interest in this plot of parkland- including the City of San Francisco, the City of Pacifica, the park visitors, and the surrounding community of neighbors whose backyards abut the site. This was a unique project because it required reconciling many different interests with many different goals- all against the pressure of a very short construction season (due to the breeding season of rare species of wildlife). The work at this site merits strong consideration for the Planning/Design Award because our efforts at Mori Point not only helped improve trails for recreation purposes and enhance rare wildlife habitat, but we were also successful in involving the community in our vision. Mori Point, a stunning 110-acre promontory in the Golden Gate National Parks located along the San Mateo Coast adjacent to the town of Pacifica, has breathtaking views stretching from Point Reyes to Pedro Point. National Recreation Trails (NRT) Database. ![]()
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