Gardening

Visitors enjoy Alcatraz Island.
Article

The new Alcatraz experience: Now is the time to escape to Alcatraz Island!

In this article, we’ll get you set up with some tips to explore Alcatraz like a seasoned park ranger. Visit for those views, for the lush gardens, and the history that ties into present-day social justice movements. Here are some of our insider tips.
A group of colorful wildflowers in front of a disused federal penitentiary building on Alcatraz Island.
Article

Just the essentials: How the Alcatraz gardens grow

For two months this year following the shelter-in-place order, the five gardens at Alcatraz grew wild and untended until Shelagh Fritz, the Senior Program Manager on the island, was able to return. The history of the Alcatraz Gardens is one of careful planning, wild growth, and dedicated work.
Volunteer on Alcatraz Island
Events

(CANCELED) Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Wed, Oct 21 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Oct 23 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Oct 28 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Oct 30 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Nov 04 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Nov 06 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Nov 11 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Nov 13 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Nov 18 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Nov 20 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Nov 25 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Nov 27 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Dec 02 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Dec 04 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Dec 09 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Dec 11 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Dec 16 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Dec 18 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Dec 23 8:00am-12:00pm
Fri, Dec 25 8:00am-12:00pm
Wed, Dec 30 8:00am-12:00pm
Alcatraz Gardens
Help restore and maintain gardens once tended by the island’s military and penitentiary residents—add life, color, and vibrancy to the Rock.
Volunteers Working in Black Point Historic Gardens
Events

(CANCELED) Black Point Historic Gardens

Black Point Meeting Location
Help us restore the long-neglected gardens of East Black Point, a spectacular park site tucked away above the bustling San Francisco waterfront.
Volunteers Working in Black Point Historic Gardens
Events

(CANCELED) Black Point Historic Gardens

Tue, Oct 27 9:00am-12:00pm
Tue, Nov 03 9:00am-12:00pm
Tue, Nov 10 9:00am-12:00pm
Tue, Nov 17 9:00am-12:00pm
Tue, Nov 24 9:00am-12:00pm
Tue, Dec 01 9:00am-12:00pm
Tue, Dec 08 9:00am-12:00pm
Tue, Dec 15 9:00am-12:00pm
Tue, Dec 22 9:00am-12:00pm
Tue, Dec 29 9:00am-12:00pm
Black Point Meeting Location
Help us restore the long-neglected gardens of East Black Point, a spectacular park site tucked away above the bustling San Francisco waterfront.
Presidio Volunteer
Events

(CANCELED) Presidio Garden Stewards

Thu, Oct 22 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Oct 29 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Nov 05 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Nov 12 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Nov 19 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Nov 26 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Dec 03 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Dec 10 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Dec 17 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Dec 24 9:00am-12:00pm
Thu, Dec 31 9:00am-12:00pm
Presidio Main Post Transit Center
Help enhance the Presidio’s historic gardens and grounds, as well as support the park efforts to become a model of environmental sustainability.
Presidio Volunteer
Events

(CANCELED) Presidio Garden Stewards

Presidio Transit Center
Help enhance the Presidio’s historic gardens and grounds, as well as support the park efforts to become a model of environmental sustainability.
Presidio Volunteer
Events

(CANCELED) Presidio Garden Stewards

Presidio Transit Center
Help enhance the Presidio’s historic gardens and grounds, as well as support the park efforts to become a model of environmental sustainability.
Volunteers Working in Black Point Historic Gardens
Events

(CANCELED) Black Point Historic Gardens

Sat, Nov 21 9:00am-12:00pm
Sat, Dec 19 9:00am-12:00pm
Black Point Meeting Location
Help us restore the long-neglected gardens of East Black Point, a spectacular park site tucked away above the bustling San Francisco waterfront.
The Alcatraz Historic Gardens with the Rock's famed water tower in the background.
Gateways Article

'Historic' water once meant for laundry now helps Alcatraz Gardens thrive

Shelagh Fritz, Program Manager for Alcatraz Historic Gardens, has worked to install an innovative rainwater catchment system on the Rock. We sat down with Shelagh to learn more.