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Ocean Beach is Getting a New Walking Trail (& Parking Lot)

The project will build a new multi-use trail that is approximately 12’ wide, a plaza at Sloat, a parking lot and restroom.
By - posted 11/21/2020 No Comment

Ocean Beach is getting a new walking and cycling trail with a new parking lot, restroom and a plaza. The new project will also provide pedestrian access to the shore­­ and connect up with the existing trail network. 

The Ocean Beach Climate Adaptation Project is situated along the Great Highway south of Sloat and north of Skyline. The Great Highway passes through Recreation and Parks property in this area. The project has been allocated $2 million to build a multi-use trail and new parking lot on the soon-to-be-former highway roadway.

Goals of the Multi-use Trail and Parking Lot Project

  • Connect Coastal trail  from Great Highway to Lake Merced for use by pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Provide pedestrian access to the shore­­
  • Provide replacement parking to access the shore

Ocean Beach south of Sloat has experienced significant erosion during the past 15 years. The SPUR Ocean Beach Master Plan outlines a managed retreat strategy to allow for some retreat of the coastline, while still protecting important city infrastructure, namely Public Utilities Commission wastewater pipes and associated infrastructure. The strategy includes four key aspects:

  1. Buried seawall to protect the Lake Merced Tunnel;
  2. Creation of multi-use trail and parking;
  3. Roadway changes and intersection improvements.
  4. Replace the Sloat Restroom with a new restroom building.

Recreation and Park’s proposed improvements to the area include adding a new multi-use trail for pedestrian and bike access between Sloat and Skyline – connecting a link along the shoreline that is currently missing, and replacing coastal parking.

More information about the coordinated effort to address Ocean Beach adaptation efforts can be found on the San Francisco Planning Department’s Ocean Beach website.

Project Elements

Multi-Use Path

  1. Build a multi-use path and replacement restroom in a closed portion of Great Highway.
  2. Build a replacement parking lot.
  3. Create plaza near Sloat and Great Highway.
  4. Open trail to connect to beach and existing trail network once tunnel work completed.

Want to learn more? Join the South Ocean Beach Multi-Use Trail Project Virtual Community Meeting on December 3 at 6 pm.