San Francisco opens stunning new park

Dylan Nepomuceno (from fourth), Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Presidio Trust CEO Jean Fraser and President and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Chris Lehnertz join other guests in cutting the ribbon to officially open Presidio Tunnel Tops. INQUIRER/Jun Nucum

SAN FRANCISCO – No less than House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the official opening of the much-anticipated, world-class new national park destination Presidio Tunnel Tops in San Francisco.

The culmination of a 20-year transformation of the Presidio’s waterfront, the Tunnel Tops adds 14 acres to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area over concrete tunnels connecting San Francisco to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

The park offers an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge, has family picnic tables where 20 to 30 people can gather, grills, playground and easy access for wheelchair-bound individuals. There will soon be food trucks.

A result of a decade of consultation with community organizations, health leaders and park planners, the Presidio Tunnel Tops was made possible through a $98-million capital campaign supported by donors to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and completed in 2019. Its campaign committee was led by Lynne Benioff, Mark Buell, and Randi Fisher.

Overview of the newly-opened Presidio Tunnel Tops. CONTRIBUTED

 “The Presidio Tunnel Tops, which will serve as a beautiful beacon of recreation, education and community in our city. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Presidio Trust, National Park Service, and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and the immense generosity of many supporters and volunteers, families in the Bay Area and beyond will benefit from this magnificent new park – now and for generations to come,” Pelosi stated.

 “It would not be a true urban a park without the beautiful involvement of children as much as the park is also about environment, good mental health, the art and how all of them bring everyone together,” Pelosi underscored.

San Francisco City Mayor London Breed praised Pelosi’s leadership in getting appropriations for the project. “What this represents really is who we are as San Franciscans – creative people, generous people”.

Filipino American Dylan Nepomuceno, who was a junior high school student involved with the Chrissy Fields Center Urban Trailblazers program when the Tunnel Tops project broke ground in 2019, is now an adventure guide. Pelosi cited him as “an interpreter not only of nature for the young people but also of their possibilities.”

Nepomuceno’s mom, Louise, who hails from Albay province in Bicol, waxed emotional, saying that her son’s time at the park has shown him a true sense of belonging.

“Through internships and jobs here, I was able to take on the responsibility of being a role model to young people,” Nepomuceno said. “This is the park for those who are looking for a place where they belong. I will keep that dream.”