Originally constructed in 1898 on the location of what was once a native inter-dune pond on the western end of Golden Gate Park, years of sedimentation, a leaking clay liner, and the encroachment of invasive species have contributed to the deterioration of the beloved Middle Lake and its picturesque environs. 

O|CB’s design for the restoration of the Lake and its surrounding landscape strikes a balance between recreation, habitat and resiliency.  A serpentine perimeter path weaves through drifts of native and adaptive upland trees and shrubs along the lake’s banks, while softwood evergreens dot restored meadows, attracting cavity nesting birds and providing shade for strolling.  Benches along the path utilize the wood from tree removals and provide points for expansive views across the lake.  A winding trail climbs from the east side of the lake up through a revitalized woodland to the Park’s casting ponds, meandering across a restored rocky cascade that recirculates water into the Lake.  The Lake’s health and resilience is enhanced with a new clay liner to eliminate water loss, increased water depth and a new aeration system, wetland shelves that provide habitat and filtration, habitat logs, and riparian planting such as willows, rushes, and ferns along the sinuous shoreline.

Size: 6.5 Acres

Resilient Design Features: Wetland shelves along 25% of the lake edge, water quality improvements through increased lake depth, aeration system, re-circulation and new clay liner to eliminate leakage, habitat restoration, meadow planting to filter runoff

Project Team: Woodard & Curran, O|CB, RMA Irrigation