6.18  INDIA BASIN SHORELINE PARK

The India Basin Shoreline Park (India Basin) Natural Area is located adjacent to Hunters Point Boulevard in San Francisco, at the shore of San Francisco Bay (Figure ES-1).  India Basin is the only Natural Area that borders San Francisco Bay.  The vegetation of the Natural Area at India Basin is mostly saltgrass/pickleweed wetlands. None of the species designated as sensitive for this management plan have been observed at India Basin.  However, the saltgrass/pickleweed wetland at India Basin is one of two areas within the entire Significant Natural Areas system where this series occurs.  No sensitive species have been reported from this Natural Area. (Top of page)

6.19  MCLAREN PARK

McLaren Park is the third largest in the Natural Areas System.  Located in the southeast corner of San Francisco (Figure ES-1) it is bisected east-west by Mansell Street.  The southern half of the park is crossed by Sunnydale and Visitacion Avenues, and the northern half by John F. Shelley Drive. The soils within McLaren Park are generally composed of sand, silt, and decomposed Franciscan bedrock. Greenstone (an altered volcanic rock) can be found in many areas within McLaren Park.  Serpentine outcrops are less common, but are scattered through the Natural Areas.  Two main water features within the Natural Areas of McLaren Park are Yosemite Marsh and Gray Fox Creek, both in the northern portion of the Park. Vegetation at McLaren Park is dominated by exotic forest series. The southern Natural Areas are primarily grasslands. There are small areas of wetlands, scrub, and native grasslands. This is the only place within the Natural Areas that supports valley wild-rye meadow wetland, California oat grass prairie, and tall fescue prairie.

Two of the plant species designated as sensitive for this management plan, rose Johnny-tuck (Triphysaria eriantha var. rosed) and Johnny-jump-up can be found within the Natural Areas at McLaren Park. There are no reports of any special-status mammals, reptiles, or amphibians at McLaren Park.  Mission blue butterflies have been reported from the southern grasslands, but not since 1988.  A population of San Francisco fork-tailed damselfly was discovered at Yosemite Marsh 1998 and is presumed extant. (Top of page)

6.20   PALOU-PHELPS

The Palou-Phelps Natural Area is located near the intersection of Palou and Phelps Streets in southern San Francisco (Figure ES-1).  The predominant vegetation is a wild oat grassland that covers the north-facing slope.  None of the species designated as sensitive for this management plan have been observed within the Palou-Phelps Natural Area. (Top of page)

6.21   BERNAL HILL

The Bernal Hill Natural Area is located in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco (Figure ES-1).  The Natural Area is surrounded by Bernal Heights Boulevard, a portion of which is closed to vehicle traffic.  This Natural Area is underlain by Franciscan chert and greenstone bedrock.  The vegetation at Bernal Hill is dominated by wild oat grassland. Two sensitive plant species have been observed (shooting star and Johnny-jump-up) which can be found within the grasslands.  Additionally a single occurrence of hummingbird sage (Salvia spathaced) can be found along the southern boundary of Bernal Hill. No sensitive wildlife species are known to occur within the Bernal Hill Natural Area.