Bayview Park, San Francisco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bayview Park |
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Bayview Park encompasses the hill immediately behind Candlestick Park
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| Type | Natural Area (San Francisco) |
| Area | 46.63 acres (18.87 ha) |
| Created | 1915 |
| Operated by | San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department |
| Open | daily, 5am – midnight |
| Public transit access |   Le Conte; Line 8;  Bayshore |
Bayview Park is a cool park in the southeast part of San Francisco. It covers about 46 acres, which is like 35 football fields! The main part of the park is a big hill called Bayview Hill or Candlestick Hill. You can easily see it from the old Candlestick Park area and the Bayshore Freeway.
This hill was first suggested as a park way back in 1905 by a city planner named Daniel Burnham. He called it Visitacion Park. But the park wasn't officially created until 1915. Before that, a company wanted to build fancy houses there. Later, a radio station, KYA, built a studio and transmitter on the hill in 1937. Part of the hill was even dug up in 1958 to help build Candlestick Park. Today, Bayview Park is a special place. It's one of the best examples of how San Francisco looked before people settled there a long time ago.
Discover Bayview Park's Past
Bayview Park has a really interesting history, going back thousands of years!
Ancient History: Native American Life
Long ago, Native Americans lived in this area. In 1910, experts found evidence of their settlements, like a large shell mound, near what is now Harney Way. These mounds were made of shells and other things left behind by people. Even though the mound was flattened later, scientists believe there are still important historical remains underground.
The Bayshore or Crocker Mound was the biggest of about 10-12 mounds in the Hunters Point area. It covered a huge space and was very deep. When it was explored in 1910, more than 28 ancient burials were found there.
How Bayview Park Began
The land that became Bayview Park was originally part of a large ranch given to José Cornelio Bernal in 1839.
Early Ideas for the Park
In 1894, a company called Bay View Land Company wanted to build luxury homes on the hill. But the area was considered too far from downtown San Francisco, so the housing plans didn't happen.
In 1901, the Bay View Land Company offered to sell 8 acres of the hill to the city. They wanted to use it for a special hospital for people with serious illnesses like smallpox. Neighbors didn't want this hospital near their homes.
A company called Crocker Land Company then stepped in. They donated nearby land to the city. This generous gift helped stop the plans for the hospital on the hill.
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In 1905, Daniel Burnham suggested that the land, from the hill all the way to the Bay, should become a park called Visitacion Park. However, after the big 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, his plans were put on hold. The park finally became official in 1915. Burnham also suggested another park nearby, which is now John McLaren Park.
Radio Station Fun Facts
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In 1934, radio station KYA was bought by the Hearst Publishing Company. It became the official radio voice for the San Francisco Examiner newspaper. The famous publisher William Randolph Hearst hired Julia Morgan to design a new building for the radio transmitter. This building is still on top of Candlestick Hill! KYA started broadcasting from this new building and a tall radio tower on June 1, 1937.
Shaping the Hill for Candlestick Park
The San Francisco Giants baseball team moved to San Francisco in 1958. The mayor at the time, George Christopher, promised to build them a new stadium. Candlestick Point was chosen as the spot.
To build Candlestick Park and its parking lot, a lot of land was needed. In 1958, parts of Bayview Hill were dug up. The rocks and dirt from the hill were used as "fill" to create new land from the Bay. The hill was kept somewhat tall to block strong winds from the stadium. However, it actually ended up funneling the winds, making Candlestick Park famous for being very windy and chilly!
During a baseball game in 1961, a player named Stu Miller was even blown off the pitcher's mound by a gust of wind! Because of this, the mayor asked for a study. City planners suggested cutting through the middle of the hill to redirect the wind.
Recent Changes to the Park
In 1997, about 16 more acres of the hill's northeast side were added to Bayview Park.
Explore Bayview Park's Features
Bayview Park is a great place to visit! You can get into the park from the west side, at the end of Key Avenue.
Man-Made Structures
Besides the old radio transmitter building from 1937, there are also old stone walls and stairways. These were built in the 1930s by workers from the Works Progress Administration. They used local rocks to build them. There's also a paved path about 1 mile long that goes to and around the top of the hill. It's a nice walk or bike ride!
Geology: The Hill Itself
Bayview Park is mostly one big hill, either called Bayview Hill or Candlestick Hill. It rises about 425 feet above the sea. The hill is made of different types of rock, including chert, shale, and greenstone. Before parts of the hill were dug up for Candlestick Park, the hill was right next to San Francisco Bay.
On the west side of the hill, there's a cool rock formation called Indian Head Rock. It's near the old radio building.
Flora: Plants and Wildflowers
Near the top of the hill, you can find a group of Islais cherry trees. In the spring, many beautiful wildflowers bloom lower on the hill. These include native plants like California goldfields, California buttercup, dwarf checkerbloom, and San Francisco blue-eyed Mary. The California larkspur and San Francisco blue-eyed Mary are special because they are only found growing wild in San Francisco at Bayview Park!
