At 270 acres, Tennessee Hollow is the Presidio’s largest watershed (download a map). Its spring-fed tributaries once provided a year-round fresh water source for native people and colonial settlers. Though mainly hidden today beneath roadways and storm drains, the flow of the creek persists, providing an oasis for wildlife. Tennessee Hollow is framed by historic Presidio neighborhoods, and its forests, trails, and playing fields welcome the community. It provides visitors with a rare opportunity to experience an entire watershed – from springs to San Francisco Bay – in just an afternoon hike.
In early 2008, with extensive community input, the Presidio Trust completed the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Tennessee Hollow Upper Watershed Revitalization Project. The EA outlines plans for restoring creek and wildlife habitat, creating new trails, establishing stewardship and outdoor education opportunities, reorganizing and upgrading playing fields, and welcoming the public to explore the watershed’s rich history. A summary of public input and the Trust’s responses can be found in the Response to Public Comment and Final Finding of No Significant Impact.
Tennessee Hollow’s History
Tennessee Hollow’s spring-fed tributaries were important water sources in the early days of the post. As the need for fresh water increased in the 1880s, the U.S. Army built dams to capture the watershed’s natural springs. Later, the Army turned its attention to a more prolific water source at Lobos Creek, and much of Tennessee Hollow’s creek system was directed into underground storm drains and concrete channels. Today, more than half the creek system is in underground pipes or lined channels. The small areas of creek that remain provide some of the most valuable habitat in San Francisco.
Maps of the Presidio dating from the 1800s indicate that two locally prominent families, the Briones and Miramontes, lived near El Polin Springs, marking the first known colonial residence occurring outside the walls of El Presidio. For more than 70 years, historians and archaeologists have searched the area surrounding the springs for evidence of early adobe structures. These searches were unsuccessful until 2003 when a Stanford University field class led by Dr. Barbara Voss discovered the foundation of a Spanish/Mexican period adobe house. Subsequent field investigations continue to deepen understanding of this early settlement and the complex relationship between these colonists and the native peoples. For more information about this research project, view the Stanford website and visit the Presidio Archaeology Lab.
Tennessee Hollow got its name at the end of nineteenth century. It was named after the 1st Tennessee Regiment, a group of volunteer solider who made camp in the low ground east of Funston Avenue in 1898 just before shipping out the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. The watershed was home to many tent encampments, or cantonments, during that period; later serving as temporary housing for San Franciscans displaced by the Great Earthquake. Today, it contains some of the Presidio’s oldest residential neighborhoods and is home to more than 1,200 people – over a third of the park’s residential population.
Restoration at Thompson’s Reach
Some revitalization work has already take place in Tennessee Hollow. Rare grasslands have been restored, forests have been rehabilitated, and trails have been repaired. The most dramatic restoration has taken place at a former landfill site, located off Lincoln Boulevard near Halleck Street on the Main Post. In 2005 as part of the Presidio Trust’s environmental remediation program, 77,000 tons of debris were removed, and a portion of the creek was “daylighted” through the restored valley. More than 35,000 seedlings from the Presidio Nursery were planted to create wildlife habitat. Watch a video spotlighting the transformation at Thompson’s Reach in Windows Media or QuickTime 7.
Restoration Focus on El Polin Springs: 2008-2010
Restoration of the Tennessee Hollow watershed is now continuing at El Polin Springs, a place remarkable for nature and wildlife as well as for its extraordinary human history.
Beginning in September 2008, habitat restoration will begin to return ecological richness to the wetland area surrounding the spring. As a first phase, 60 eucalyptus, cypress, and pine trees will be removed from around El Polin Loop to reduce the shading and leaf litter that can be harmful to native plants. Tree removal will take approximately six weeks.
Habitat will then be restored with plants and trees grown in the Presidio Nursery. A rich diversity of species will be planted, including large woody trees such as coast live oak and California buckeye, as well as wax myrtle, toyon, willows, and native grasses. A volunteer planting day will be held on November 22.
In the next two years, a number of improvements will showcase the history of the area and welcome visitors. El Polin Loop will be transformed into a boardwalk and trail with a new picnic area, public restrooms, and benches. The stone channels and well will be restored, and interpretive gardens and other features will share the long history at the spring.
Overall Tennessee Hollow Restoration Project Timeline
2008
· Detailed designs for El Polín Loop completed; in September, habitat restoration begins
· Detailed designs for Eastern Tributary restoration and Morton Street Field replacement begin
· Community volunteerism, stewardship, and ongoing scientific research
2009-2011
· Improvements are completed at El Polín Loop
· Detailed designs for Morton Field and Eastern Tributary are completed
· Morton Street Field is relocated and upgraded
· Eastern Tributary restoration, trail and interpretive enhancements complete
· Community volunteerism, stewardship, and ongoing scientific research
2011+
· Pop Hicks Field is rehabilitated; the Western Tributary is enhanced, and new trails are constructed (following landfill remediation)
· A new practice field is constructed and upland habitat is restored near Paul Goode Field (following landfill remediation)
· Planning for future creek restoration in the other areas of the watershed begins
· Community volunteerism, stewardship, and ongoing scientific research
(estimated; subject to funding availability)
Enjoy the Watershed
Take a Walk – To join a monthly docent-led tour of the watershed, call the Visitor Center at (415) 561-4323.
Volunteer – Join us for new opportunities to volunteer in the watershed. Call (415) 561-5333. Be a part of planting efforts that begin on November 22, 2008 and continue through early 2009.
KIDS on Trails – Download a self-guided tour booklet that acquaints children aged 5-9 with the Ecology Trail, which runs from Inspiration Point through the watershed. You can also get a copy at the Presidio Visitor Center, 50 Moraga Avenue.
Kids Quest Treasure Hunt – A “Quest” is a self-guided treasure hunt through a landscape. A free Quest guidebook to the watershed, appropriate for kids of all ages, is available at the Presidio Visitor Center, 50 Moraga Avenue.
Self-Guided Tour – Download a map of Tennessee Hollow and create your own day in the watershed.
Dig It - Archaeological research exploring colonial-era life at El Polin Springs continues. To learn about ways to participate or observe, or to offer input on the new interpretive gardens, contact the Presidio Archaeology Lab at (415) 561-ARCH.
Play: Enjoy one of the park’s playing fields.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the project, contact the Trust at presidio@presidiotrust.gov or (415) 561-5418.