Golden Gate Park in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Dune Stabilization is a Grassroots Effort
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2021
1. Dune Stabilization is a Grassroots Effort Marker
In 1870, the newly established Golden Gate Park was mostly sand dunes. When some barley grain spilled from a horse's feedbag and took root, it gave park engineers an idea. They planted barley in abundance, stabilizing the dunes with a root system that allowed other grasses, plants, and trees to follow.
Erected by Exploratorium, San Francisco Parks and Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 37° 46.157′ N, 122° 27.261′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Golden Gate Park. It can be reached from Stanyan Street west of Haight Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94117, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Alvord Lake Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Public Children's Playground in the United States (approx. 0.2 miles away); San Francisco Lawn Bowling Clubhouse and Greens (approx. Ό mile away); Polytechnic High School (approx. Ό mile away); The Conservatory (approx. 0.4 miles away); Doolan/Larson Residence and Storefronts
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is in Golden Gate Park, fairly close to where Haight tees into Stanyan, on a footpath and within shouting distance of Alvord Lake.
Also see . . . How sand dunes became S.F.'s Golden Gate Park, thanks to a clumsy horse. San Francisco Chronicle article, 9/18/2020:
The article describes how William Hammond Hall hit upon a method of dune stabilization after having observed how an accidental barley spill sprouted on the sand, with the result being that some 700 acres that were previously considered undevelopable now became park lands. (Submitted on July 7, 2021.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2021
2. Dune Stabilization is a Grassroots Effort Marker - wide view
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 317 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 7, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
