Visitor's Center at Lands End moves forward

by Ryder W. Miller Ê

On July 21, representatives from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) met with the public to brainstorm about plans forÊa futureÊVisitor's Center scheduled toÊbe built on Merrie Way at Lands End by the end of 2011.

The project schedule slated designÊdevelopment through September of 2010,Êwith construction beginning in February of 2011. The GGNRA hopes to have the new Visitor's Center, which will be locatedÊin a parking lot aboveÊLouis' Restaurant, built by the Fall of 2011.

In attendance at the Cliff House gathering were GGNRA Acting Deputy Superintendent Aaron Roth and representatives from the Golden Gate National ParkÊAssociation, andÊthe design firm Esherick, Homsey, Dodge & Davis (EHDD), which had a major hand in building the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The contractor for the Visitor's Center will be Plant Construction Company, L.P., of San Francisco.

About 50 people attended the meeting, which broke out into small discussion groups to determine what Lands End means to visitors, how it is used, and what functions people would like to see there.

Former Presidio Trust Trustee Amy Meyer, who co-authored "New Guardians for the Golden Gate: How America Got a Great National Park," was also in attendance.ÊMeyer, who lives in the neighborhood,Êstressed that she would like to seeÊLands EndÊremain "a community place," which tells theÊlayeredÊhistory of the area.

"It was a place to get away," she said.

Park Ranger Bob Hollaway gave a slide presentation that highlighted theÊGGNRA's interests in conveyingÊthe historical, naturalÊand recreationalÊuse of the area. The history predates the foundingÊof the State of California, the area having been used by Native Americans, who left middens in the area. Ê

Tom Kuhn, who livesÊin the area, wasÊhappy "the park service was listening." He said this wasÊpart of the legacy of the late GGNRA Superintendent Brian O'Neill.Ê

Local resident Ilana Bar-David said the site was spectacular because of its natural beauty on the "edge of the continent."

The 2,500-square-foot Visitor's Center will have large bathrooms (approximately 1,000 square feet), interpretive displaysÊand a cafe where people can get something warm to drink (coffee and tea)Êand maybe a light fare, like soup, toÊeat. Ê

The assembled crowd laughed when they heard the Porto Potties would be replaced. Ê

ÊJennifer Devlin, EHDD's lead project designer, said: "We are trying to capture those extremes ...Êwarmth, preciousness of the spot, more knowledge, more protection."

She stressed if people knew more aboutÊthe area they would better care for it. Ê

Also in attendance was Tom Hountalas, owner and operator of Louis' Restaurant,Êwho said. "It was a really goodÊmeeting." Ê

"I am looking forward to it," said Hountalas, who said he has been waiting 18Êyears for newÊLands End Visitor's Center. "I hope we can be here along with the Visitor's Center. We won't know for a couple of months."

The National Park Service is now in the process of choosing a long-term tenant for the site where Louis' is located. Ê

Many of the artifacts that could be found at the old Visitor's Center, which was located under the Cliff House before its recent renovation, have since been sent to a temporary location at Fisherman's Wharf. It is unknown if anyÊartifacts would be returned.

The bulk of the funds for construction have been donated by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, which has donatedÊapproximately $8 million for the restoration efforts at Lands End.

It was announced at the the meeting by the Golden Gate National Park AssociationÊthat Lands End willÊwin this year's San FranciscoÊBeautiful Award. Ê

Jennifer GreeneÊRinggold,Êproject manager for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, said more public input would be desirable. To make a comment or suggestion, call (415) 561-3054 or send and e-mail to jgreene@parksconservancy.org. ÊÊ