Hit the Trail: Park Sites that have Gotten a 'Glow Up'
Roxanne Meneses / Parks Conservancy
The Parks Conservancy and our partners work hard to improve trails and park sites, and if you want to be a true park insider, you'll hit the freshest spots first. Check out some of our favorite recent park "glow ups," and some near-future openings to track:
Last restored in the 1970s, the Ben Johnson Trail in Muir Woods was in "disrepair" until a few years ago, according to Rudy Gustafson, NPS Trail Construction Supervisor. Muir Woods is on the National Registry of Historic Places, so the trail crew "emulated the historic style" and sourced whole old growth redwoods that fell into Kent Lake, thanks to Marin Water. Now visitors can enjoy a level trail. Spot the bench along the path–it's an 800-year-old redwood tree!
The iconic Battery East Trail connecting Crissy Field to the Golden Gate Bridge was restored in 2023. The trail crew raised the trail onto a boardwalk, widened and improved the existing trail, and created a safer staircase with a handrail. Fun fact: during restoration, a historic ink bottle from the 1880s was exhumed.
San Francisco's historic China Beach will soon have a refreshed bathhouse with changing rooms, new picnic areas, and more, following improvements to the parking lot and an accessible overlook. Come to this beloved beach for interesting history and wonderful views of the Golden Gate Bridge!
Fort Funston's stunning Sunset Trail was made accessible by bringing in pieces of a huge rock wall from a quarry, replacing the woodchips that originally covered the trail. “The stonework there is technically very interesting,” said Rudy, as all the stones at the top of the ridge fit together like Legos.
Roy's Redwoods was struggling due to lack of clear walking trails, which impacted visitor experience and the ecosystem. Thanks to restoration work, it now has a fully accessible raised boardwalk that protects visitors and the forest floor. The restoration was a true collaborative effort led by Marin County Parks, with help from the Parks Conservancy as part of the One Tam partnership and grants from the Wildlife Conservation Board, California State Parks, and Marin County Parks Measure A.
We're entering the final phase of improvements at Hawk Hill, with trail improvements and new benches and interpretive elements at the highest hilltop area. Head there now to see completed trail work, habitat restoration, and facilities.
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