Projects - Mt Sutro Restoration

Mount Sutro, formerly known as Mount Parnassus, is one of several “Sutro” landmarks in San Francisco and probably the least well known. One-time San Francisco mayor Adolph Sutro, a Russian-born immigrant who made his wealth by mining silver, bought land in the late 1880s from today’s Mount Sutro to Mount Davidson. An avid philanthropist, Mr. Sutro owned the third largest library in the US, built the Sutro baths, financed the second rebuilding of the Cliff House at Ocean Beach in San Francisco and—in a true labor of love—transformed a bare area, known today as Sutro Heights, into a forest and haven for native plants in 1886.

This once booming San Francisco area eventually faced many losses following the death of Mr. Sutro. The Cliff House burned down, the Sutro Baths were destroyed by a fire and through the years the Sutro Heights vegetation became overgrown, its trails covered by ivy and overshadowed by centennial eucalyptus trees.

Sutro Heights was almost forgotten until longtime resident Craig Dawson, who grew up exploring the mountain since childhood, envisioned the area coming alive again. He co-funded the Mount Sutro Stewards and inspired the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) to undertake restoration of this urban open space and make way for hikers and native plants once again.

A Mount Sutro Management Plan was established in 2001. The San Francisco Rotary Club sponsored the first phase with a $100,000 grant. The effort of hundreds of volunteers from Rotary and other organizations, and the Rotary Club’s generous donation, resulted in the “Rotary Meadow” now blooming atop the mountain with some 1,500 native plants grown at the Presidio Nursery from local seeds.

In addition to cleaning and replanting, volunteers uncover and restore trails. Recently, an historic trail dating back more than a century was discovered. This trail, with its Franciscan Chert rock formations, is open to the public and continues to be uncovered. In the process, plants thought to have vanished from the city, such as the blooming fairy bells (a plant listed as resident here in the 1950s), are being rediscovered.

The initial phase of work under the Mount Sutro Master Plan is a success and has resulted in the creation of the Rotary Meadow.

Rotary Club of San Francisco President John Hoch is proud to join the Sutro Stewards, UCSF and others to beautify this historical San Franciscan landmark in support of a grand tradition of improving, maintaining and building this community park. Hoch says: “In keeping with Mr. Sutro’s vision of an oasis of serenity and biodiversity right here at the heart of our beloved city, we are committed to help Mount Sutro, a once flourishing urban legend, to be revived through Rotary.

For further information about how you can contribute time and resources to this project, contact Tessie Reyes, Rotary Club of San Francisco, 415-546-0181.