**View the Fall 2009 Tennessee Hollow Project Update Brochure**
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 2008, the Presidio Trust completed the Environmental Assessment (EA) (with Response to Public Comment and Final Finding of No Significant Impact) 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. Army-era landfills are also being addressed as part of the Presidio’s environmental remediation program.
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.
Past Revitalization Projects
Thompson’s Reach
A former landfill site on the Main Post is now beautifully restored. 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 brought above ground (or daylighted). More than 35,000 seedlings from Presidio Nursery were planted to create wildlife habitat. The number of nesting birds has increased dramatically, and stickleback fish are now seen swimming in the creek. Watch a video spotlighting the transformation at Thompson’s Reach in Windows Media or QuickTime 7.
Lovers’ Lane
In 2008, the surface of the Presidio’s oldest footpath was repaired, the historic brick bridge was cleaned and rehabilitated, and a new boardwalk was added. Plans to improve the lighting fixtures along the trail are underway.
Inspiration Point
The area below Inspiration Point Overlook contains one of the few serpentine grasslands within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and is home to two federally listed plant species, including the endangered Presidio clarkia. Restoration of native habitats and the historic viewshed has been underway here for a decade. Trees have been gradually removed from the native plant zone, and volunteers and staff have planted thousands of grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs grown at the Presidio Nursery. Poppies, irises, buttercups, blue-eyed grass, yarrow, buckwheat, wild onion, mission bells, sanicles, and an amazing array of native grasses can now be seen.
Current Projects
Fill Site 1 (FS1) and Landfill 2 (LF2)
In 2010, the Presidio Trust will remove two Army-era landfills in the upper watershed. They contain waste debris from the 1940s through 1970s, which consists of building rubble, construction debris, and municipal-type waste, including ash from former incinerator operations. The chemicals of concern include metals, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
FS1 covers 2 acres and contains about 32,000 cubic yards of waste material. LF2 covers 1.5 acres and contains about 28,000 cubic yards of waste material. In advance of the cleanup, several hundred trees were removed from the area in late 2009.
The landfill removal will begin in late spring 2010 (pending regulatory approvals) and will take approximately nine months. During this period, the Ecology Trail, the spur trail to El Polín Springs, and the parking lot near Paul Goode Field will be closed. Once the waste is removed, the area of LF2 will be restored as historic forest. The area of FS1 will be restored to support future recreational facilities, trails, and native plant communities.
The Presidio Trust is developing a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) to propose this final remedy for FS1 and LF2. The Draft RAP is scheduled to be released for public review in early 2010. After the public comment period ends, the Presidio Trust will respond to comments and prepare a Final RAP. We invite you to participate.
Transformation at El Polin Springs
El Polín Springs is the heart of the watershed. Efforts here to restore natural habitat and reveal the Presidio’s early human history are progressing. Native Elderberry plants have been relocated from the Doyle Drive construction area and planted at El Polín where they once flourished. Trees and invasive weeds and shrubs are being removed from around El Polín loop and the meadow east of MacArthur Avenue. Volunteers are establishing at least 15,000 native plants here in winter 2009/2010.
The history of El Polín is important to our understanding of the development of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Archaeologists from Stanford University have discovered the foundation of an adobe colonial residence believed to be the home of the prominent Briones and Miramontes families. Extensive archaeology research continues at the site. The El Polín area also features historic stone channels and an iconic stone well that were likely constructed in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration. As part of the overall interpretation of the Presidio’s history, the Trust intends to make improvements to the area that welcome visitors, encourage exploration, and provide an outdoor classroom and a venue for public engagement in archaeological excavation and research. The existing asphalt roadway will be replaced with a boardwalk and trail; picnic areas, public restrooms, and benches will provide comfort. Historic features such as the stone well will be rehabilitated, and interpretive gardens will reflect what we have learned about how the families who settled the area once lived.
Playing Field Upgrades
The Trust intends to improve the playing fields in Tennessee Hollow and to increase the number of fields throughout the park. The opportunity to build a new field at Fill Site 1 will become available once remediation of the site is completed late in 2010. In anticipation of this opportunity, the Trust will issue a request for proposals for construction and use of the new field as well as for use of an existing field, Paul Goode. Once the landfill at Pop Hicks is remediated, it will also be restored as a playing field. Pop Hicks remediation is tentatively scheduled for 2011. Other field upgrades and improved recreational facilities are planned for the watershed as remediation and creek restoration continue. If you would like to receive a copy of the upcoming RFP, call (415) 561-5418.
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 – Regular Tennessee Hollow habitat restoration workdays take place every fourth Saturday of each month from 9 am to Noon. Call (415) 561-5333.
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 is now available.
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.