Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Park Service
Fort Funston
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Disassembling the guns during "Operation Blowtorch" in 1948
Swords to Plowshares
The U.S. Army acquired these bluffs in 1900 to add a link in the chain of coastal artillery batteries lining the Golden Gate.
The fort is named for Major General Frederick Funston, famed for organizing relief efforts after the 1906 Earthquake. The
guns of Battery Richmond Davis(1938) could fire a shell 25 miles. Nike anti-aircraft missiles stood guard here from the
1950's until the fort's closure in 1963. Transferred to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1974, Fort Funston now
preserves military history, wildlife habitat and open space. The missile-mens' barracks house the Ranger Station and
Environmental Science Center, and the Nike Missile magazines lie below the main parking area.
Preserving the Dunes
Sand dune habitat once dominated San Francisco's
west side. Fort Funston preserves some of the area's
last natural dune systems. Exotic plants like Iceplant
threaten this habitat by displacing the native plants
upon which wildlife depend. Volunteers and park
staff have begun restoring habitat for Bank Swallows
and other wildlife by removing exotic species,
working in our native plant nursery and planting
native vegetation. Join us!
Native wildflowers of the dunes
(Aciual length 5")
Drawing by E.H.Gunderson
Bank Swallows: Life of the Edge
These dunes are home to Bank Swallows, which build their nests
in the steep, sandy banks of rivers or coastal cliffs. Once abundant,
-Bank-Swallow habitat-has swindlod-due to coasiaJ. dovolopmei^
and riverbank reinforcement, and in 1988 the State of California
listed Bank Swallows as a threatened species. Bank Swallows nest
here from April to July, and you can see their burrows year round
from the beach below Foil Funston's northern cliffs.
Protect Your Park and Yourself!
"Watching Hang Gliders: Best views are from observation deck. Avoid launch and landing areas.
Hiking Funston's Trails: Stay on designated trails; sandstone cliffs crumble easily.
Beachcombing: Please do not remove kelp or other natural debris, as shorebirds forage on it.
Walking your dog: Dogs must be leashed while in the Bank Swallow Site. Elsewhere, they must be either leashed or
under voice control at all times. You must carry a leash. Always pick up dog litter.
;t If you see any disturbance, call Park Dispatch at(415)561-5505. For more infonnation about Fort Funston, call (415) 239-2366.-*?
If you'd like to volunteer in the GGNRA,call (415)561-4325.
J.
