Fort Mason Member Meeting recap
Last week, we hosted a member meeting in our office with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) – part of the National Parks Service – to talk about the improvements they’re making to the bike network through Fort Mason and around the Golden Gate Bridge.
We were a small group, but when GGNRA staff asked the room who bikes regularly around Fort Mason, every single hand in the room shot up. We are constantly amazed at the dedication of our membership to turn out to projects that matter to them, bringing great questions and comments about the proposals.
Here’s a summary of GGNRA’s proposals:
On the north side of the bridge, they’re opening the Vista Point Multi-use Path for people to ride on as an alternative to Alexander Ave. Construction is starting soon and will take about a year because they need to do lead remediation and address the steep grade. This will provide a car-free alternative between the bridge and Sausalito.
On the south side of the bridge near Fort Point, GGNRA is proposing a new cycle track around the visitor space. They’re also proposing to widen Long Ave – the short, hilly road that connects Fort Point/Crissy Field and the bridge. This will create more dedicated space for people on bikes climbing uphill.
At Upper Fort Mason, they’re redesigning the south east corner at the McArthur gate, where Van ness Ave, Bay St and North Point St converge. Collaborating with the city, GGNRA proposes to extend the sidewalk and create a spacious multi-use path that will help connect people biking from the Embarcadero. Through the parking lot area, they’re proposing a new cycle track and improved sidewalks and a formalized paved bike path to enter the Great Meadow. Through the Great Meadow they’re formalizing the bike route and reducing conflicts with people walking. Finally, GGNRA is proposing to widen the sidewalk along “the squeeze” – the tight corner at the entrance to Lower Fort Mason – to more than double the width.
These projects will unfold over the next couple years as federal approvals and funding come through. We hope to do more events with GGNRA in the future to continue talking about how to create a seamless bicycle experience. If you have questions or thoughts on this bicycle project, you can email GGNRA staff directly at darren_brown@nps.gov.
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