Today, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) kicked off a year-long commemoration of its 50th anniversary. Founded on October 27, 1972, the GGNRA is one of the largest national parks in an urban setting. With more than 82,000 acres of parklands and 60 miles of coast north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge, the National Park Service and partners welcome more than 15 million visitors per year.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recognized the significance of these parklands, “What a pleasure to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area: a majestic landscape where families can relax together, where all children can find outdoor adventure and where millions of visitors can witness the stunning natural beauty of our region,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “It has been my honor to help secure the federal resources we need to preserve this treasure – from restoring a piece of our history with a transformed Presidio to replacing a crumbling highway with the newly-unveiled Tunnel Tops site. Together, the Bay Area Delegation will continue fighting to protect our beloved San Francisco Bay and uphold the vision of my legendary predecessor, Congressman Phil Burton: ‘Parks for the people, where the people are.’
The park is as diverse as it is expansive, containing sites such as Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, the Marin Headlands, Ocean Beach, and Rancho Corral de Tierra. The GGNRA also includes significant historical and natural resources and houses the largest museum collection in the National Park System. Over half of North American avian species and nearly one third of California's plant species are found in the park.
GGNRA Deputy Superintendent David Schifsky kicked off the commemoration by noting the connection that staff have with the park's many community members, including Bay Area residents, international tourists, neighborhood advocates, and Indigenous tribal partners. “The National Park Service recognizes these places have been significant to people long before the past 50 years. GGRNA staff continue to partner with local communities to protect these lands, preserve cultural history, and serve neighbors and visitors alike.”
The GGNRA, one of 423 units of the National Park System, was established by Congress in 1972 during the NPS “Parks for People” initiative to provide a national park experience to a diverse urban population. It was also established at a time when open space was threatened by development throughout the Bay Area, and its mission was, and remains, to preserve and interpret the park's outstanding natural, historic, scenic, and recreational values.
Amy Meyer, one of the key figures in the founding of the GGNRA, reflected on her People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the coalition of park supporters who advocated for the creation and preservation of the park for public use in the 1970s. Amy reminded us all, “You can make a difference. You can get something done that is special. What you say and what you do has value.”
Chris Lehnertz, President & CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the nonprofit partner to the GGNRA, presented a commemorative flag that will become a part of NPS archives and displayed outside the General Superintendent’s office at GGNRA headquarters. “National Park experiences can positively influence people’s lives and the environment around us,” Lehnertz said. “Our decades-long partnerships led to these tremendous parklands as well as impactful youth and community programs. The Parks Conservancy looks forward to supporting more people-to-park connections in the next 50 years and beyond.”
To celebrate the GGNRA’s golden anniversary and experience all the fun activities and volunteer opportunities throughout the next year:
Volunteer Extravaganza: From Oct. 27-30, we’ll be holding special 50th anniversary volunteer projects to kick off our year-long celebration. Community involvement is essential to make this park the gem it is! Come join our community of volunteers and be part of the next generation of stewards for our next 50 years and beyond. Visit the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy website to learn about more volunteer opportunities: www.parksconservancy.org/volunteer
Special Interpretive Programs: Many special programs, such as Junior Ranger activities, special exhibits, and landscape volunteer opportunities, will take place throughout the year. Check out the 50th anniversary webpage for our schedule: www.nps.gov/goga/50.htm
Staff Museum Oral History Program: Park staff have made this park a success and the Museum wants to document this through oral history interviews that celebrate the power and contributions of our dedicated employees: www.nps.gov/goga/learn/historyculture/ggnra-50th-oh-project.htm
50th Anniversary Scavenger Hunt: Take the 50-year Birthday Challenge and learn about the park as you follow the clues to answer the scavenger hunt questions. Start your scavenger hunt online at www.nps.gov/articles/000/scavengerhunt.htm
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