Today park leaders gathered to kick off the Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s (GGNRA) 50th Anniversary year at a media event that included remarks from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Congressman Jared Huffman; Amy Meyer, longtime parks activist known as the “Godmother of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area”; Chuck Collins, President Emeritus of the GGNRA; Chris Lehnertz, President and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy; and Ranger Erick Cortes. They gathered at the Great Meadow at Fort Mason in front of the statue of Congressman Phil Burton who, working closely with the surrounding community and environmental activists, sponsored legislation to establish the GGNRA. Speaker Pelosi (who holds Congressman Burton’s former congressional seat) spoke at the event. “What a pleasure to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area: a majestic landscape where families can relax together, where all children can find outdoor adventure and where millions of visitors can witness the stunning natural beauty of our region,” she said. “It has been my honor to help secure the federal resources we need to preserve this treasure – from restoring a piece of our history with a transformed Presidio to replacing a crumbling highway with the newly-unveiled [Presidio] Tunnel Tops site. Together, the Bay Area Delegation will continue fighting to protect our beloved San Francisco Bay and uphold the vision of my legendary predecessor, Congressman Phil Burton: ‘Parks for the people, where the people are.’” On October 27, 1972, a collection of 37 former military, private, and public lands across the Bay Area were united and officially designated as public parklands for all, establishing the Golden Gate National Recreation Area as a unit of the National Park System. At that time, the Presidio of San Francisco was an active military installation, but it was included in the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and on October 1, 1994, the Presidio was officially transferred to the National Park Service. Click on the link in our bio to learn more about the GGNRA's 50th Anniversary and how you can participate.