Yosemite Marsh

Located within John McLaren Park Yosemite Marsh is currently undergoing a major habitat restoration project as directed by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Office. For many years the natural marsh had fallen into a state of despair with soil erosion and loose soils filling into the body of water. Overgrowing plants and weeds were just allowed to grow out of control. Eventually the many bird species and wildlife that called this area home disappeared completely.
In the early stages of the project construction crews were brought in to construct retaining walls in an effort to hold back the loose soils. The lake was eventually pumped dry and dredged. A new drainage system was put in and many of the overgrowing plants that had rooted into the lake’s bed were removed. The lake is filled by a natural spring that flows down a creek from high atop John McLaren Park. The park’s gardener along with the help of volunteer groups have done an outstanding job in eliminating evasive, non-​native plants and weeds along the creek. The water flow can be seen from a footbridge above the creek. It flows quite smoothly now and if you look carefully you will see that tiny little bluebirds have returned to drink from and bathe in the clear flowing waters.
Through careful planning and replanting projects staffed by volunteers and local youth groups the marsh looks better with every passing week. A family of mallard ducks has returned to the lake, and lucky visitors including myself have witnessed the return of a majestic great blue heron that swoops into the lake to hunt for gophers or field mice from the nearby park lands. One morning while weeding in a protected area within the project alongside a group of volunteers from One Brick, we witnessed the big heron with its prey already hanging from its beak first on a neighboring rooftop then with a quick swoop it landed in the lake apparently to wash its prey before devouring it. Several species of insects and an urban snake has made its return to the area.
Along with the constant re-​planting that is going on in the area, a brand new deck and fencing was recently built alongside of the lake and a couple of benches and picnic tables were put in. About the only thing left would be to refurbish a nearby structure that houses restrooms for him and her.
It’s amazing that all of this can be found just two blocks away from my home. I can’t wait until the project is completed, but I continue to visit the grounds on a weekly basis, and I am loving the transformation of this one-​time environmental disaster. Kudos to the Parks Department and the Mayor’s Office for taking charge. I look forward to joining in another volunteer project in the near future to do my part.
I’ve posted some recent photos from the site.