For Immediate Release
August 7, 2012
Project Will Improve Visitor Experience at Iconic Overlook Spot in the Golden Gate National Parks
San Francisco, CA: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy announced a $1 million grant from The Tiffany & Co. Foundation to revitalize the vicinity of the historic Battery East in the Presidio, an area that boasts breathtaking views of the international symbol of San Francisco—the Golden Gate Bridge. The new Battery East Vista will feature a picnic area with seating, bicycle parking and interpretive signage, improved wayfinding information, and a revamped parking area—designed to enhance visitor connections to the parks and Presidio trails. Located along the San Francisco Bay Trail, this dazzling spot is destined to take its place among the most visited park sites in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
“The panoramic views along the trails near Battery East Vista will help deepen visitors’ awareness and appreciation of the natural beauty of the national parks at our doorstep, just minutes from the cosmopolitan urban center of San Francisco,” said Frank Dean, General Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The Battery East Vista enhancement project is part of the long-term plan to improve and enhance the trails and overlooks in the Presidio under the Trails Forever initiative. Established in 2003, the Trails Forever initiative is a public/private partnership between the Parks Conservancy, National Park Service, and the Presidio Trust with the goal to create a world-class trail system, protect valuable park resources, and engage the community in their ongoing stewardship.
“The Tiffany & Co. Foundation is delighted to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge with a grant to create the new Battery East Vista with stunning views of this national icon,” said Anisa Kamadoli Costa, President, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation. “Through our Urban Parks Program, the Foundation supports organizations working to serve major cities through strategic design improvements of public green spaces. We are pleased to collaborate with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and National Park Service on the Foundation’s first project in the San Francisco area.”
The goal of the Trails Forever initiative in the Presidio is to renew the trail system that will link all the key visitor venues, programmatic sites, and park landscapes. New and revitalized trails will be organized around 11 major trail corridors—each celebrating a different element of the Presidio landscape—and will feature the latest sustainable design, accessibility standards, and directional and interpretive improvements.
“This generous grant by the Tiffany & Co. Foundation through its Urban Parks Program will help complete the final segment of SF Bay Area Trail improvements in the Presidio,” said Greg Moore, President and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. “By providing additional visitor opportunities to explore this major national park site in an urban area, we are continuing our efforts to link visitors from near and far to the beauty and rich history of the Presidio.”
Projected completion date for the Battery East project is summer 2014.
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About the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
The Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit membership organization created to preserve the Golden Gate National Parks, enhance the experiences of park visitors, and build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future. The Conservancy is an authorized “cooperating association” of the National Park Service, and is one of more than 70 such nonprofit organizations working with national parks around the country. To learn more, please visit www.parksconservancy.org or call (415) 561 3000.
About The Tiffany & Co. Foundation
Established in 2000, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations working in two main program areas: the environment and the arts. The Foundation’s environmental conservation program promotes responsible mining, healthy marine ecosystems and the enhancement of urban environments. In addition, the Foundation fosters design excellence by supporting organizations dedicated to the field of design and the decorative arts. For more information on The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, please visit www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org.
About the National Park Service
The National Park Service (NPS) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior charged with managing the preservation and public use of America’s most significant natural, scenic, historic, and cultural treasures. The NPS manages the Golden Gate National Parks, as well as 395 other park sites across the U.S. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/goga or call (415) 561 4700.
About the Presidio Trust
Responsible for the transformation of the Presidio from an historic Army post into a premier national park that is financially self-sustaining, the Presidio Trust is leading the nation’s largest historic preservation project, restoring the park’s buildings and landscapes, and creating innovative programs. For more information, visit www.presidio.gov or call (415) 561 5300.
