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Located in the southwest quadrant of San Francisco, less than one mile from the Pacific Ocean. The existing park landscape can be described as a continuous 64-acre open space, Stern Grove on the east and Pine Lake Park on the west. The site is a continuous valley, a watershed that sustains Laguna Puerca on the west end valley floor, dropping 100 feet in elevation from the city street above. The slopes surrounding the valley are steep in spots, held in place by an almost continuous forest of evergreen trees and low underlying vegetation. Access to the valley floor is attainable by automotive vehicle, bicycle and foot. The area supports a variety of recreational events ranging from summer concerts, receptions and large picnic events to tennis, horseshoes, and croquet.
This site is recognized as a significant natural resource area by the Recreation and Park Department. Significant natural resource areas in San Francisco are generally remnants of an original land region that extended from the San Bruno Mountains to the Golden Gate Headlands. The unique characteristics of this biological ecosystem make it different from any other. Only a few examples of this rare environment remain amidst the increasing urbanization in the City. Stern Grove and Pine Lake Park are specifically recognized for their contribution to the biodiversity of the region by providing wildlife habitat.
In 1931, the original owner of the property, George Greene, Jr. sold his land to Mrs. Sigmund Stern. Rosalie M. Stern was searching for a fitting memorial for her husband Sigmund, a distinguished civic and business leader in early 20th century San Francisco. Recognizing the advantages of the property’s shelter from prevailing wind and fog, proximity to a growing city and natural acoustics, Mrs. Stern hired William Merchant to develop the grove as a playground and open-air concert place. A pavilion was built in the grove, and the Trocadero Clubhouse (a Victorian house on-site) was re-conditioned to host events. On June 4, 1932, Rosalie M. Stern turned the property over to the people of San Francisco as a recreation site, deeding it in perpetuity to the City of San Francisco, with the provision that it would forever be used only for recreational purposes. Two weeks later, the new park site hosted its first concerts with a performance by the San Francisco Symphony.
As President of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission, Mrs. Stern formed the Sigmund Stern Grove Festival Association in 1938. The Festival Association initiated an annual concert series, stipulating that all performances were to be free to the public and designated for everyone’s enjoyment. Performances in the Grove that are now a San Francisco tradition.
Today, Stern Grove and Pine Lake Park remain as public open spaces under the care of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. The Stern Grove Festival Association is entering its 64th season of free summer performances in the Grove. The concert series, known as “Sundays at the Grove,” is now annually attended by more than 175,000 patrons This facility has deteriorating buildings, infrastructure and site amenities. At the request of the Recreation and Park Department, the Department of Public Works is in the process of developing a master plan for the park. This phased implementation plan will direct approximately 25 million dollars in site improvements. The initial project phase included a full assessment of the park, published in a 200 page document. This site assessment report, completed in July 2001, serves as a planning resource. The master planning phase was completed in July 2003. Based upon the master plan, the park improvements will be prioritized and further developed into construction documents for bidding purposes as funding is identified.
As Project Engineer for this project, the landscape architect is responsible for leading an assessment and working with the design team in these project phases. This role included leading team meetings, leading meetings with other departments, community members and interest groups, building and directing the project scope; review of project reports and designs; and overall success of this project within the schedule and budget. The park improvements will include redesign of the outdoor concert area, new and restored buildings including historic structures, disabled access down to the valley floor from park entrances and around the entire park site, lake and wildlife habitat restoration, playgrounds, tennis courts and other activity areas, picnic areas, and utility and infrastructure improvements.
Project Team: Judi Mosqueda, Project Manager; Rick Thall and Koa Pickering, Project Landscape Archictects.
Cost: Planning Cost $1,000,000; Planned Master Plan Improvements $36,000,000 to be implemented in six phases as funding is identified.
Completion Date: Master Planning completed in June 2003
Client: Recreation and Park Department
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