Park Score, Chirp Score*

RolandNikles

The Trust for Public Lands recently introduced Parkscore, "with detailed profiles and interactive maps, ParkScore makes it easy to explore and compare city park systems from around the country"

Glen Canyon Park, SF

San Francisco ranked highest! Yet another reason it is wonderful to live here. Since this ranking system measures cities, Marin is not measured under Parkscore, but depending on who you listen too, the county is 50 to 90% open space, more than any other county in the SF Bay Area.

Gambolin' Man, Marin

Quality of life (health, ability to concentrate, etc) is so much higher when there is somewhere green to enjoy,  especially when you are also within walking, biking or a quick driving distance of the wonderful cultural amenities, and job opportunities, here.

*Thanks to Stacy Lamirand for "Chirp Score"

Hikeability, Marin and SF

A friend involved with trails planning at the Presidio Trust recently took me on some new connector trails in the Presidio. Wonderful to explore some new access routes to places I have been circling around for years.

Presidio Trail

We are so blessed here with great places to walk/hike. Here's a great place to start if you want to hike in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  Also, the Presidio Trust, and San Francisco City Parks  (Golden Gate Park, McClaren Park etc) have many lovely trails, not to mention gardens for your walking pleasure.

Strybing Arboretum

In Marin we have the wonderful Point Reyes National Seashore, and Marin County Parks and Open Space,
Marin Municiple Water District  as well as Samuel P.Taylor, China Camp and Mt Tamalpais State Parks. For Marin I highly recommend the Tom Harrison maps, during my vegetation mapping days I found them the most accurate and easy to use, and they cover all the parks/wildlands in a given area. They are available at many park visitor centers, and online at Toms site. Alas, due to budget restrictions, the State Parks are subject to closures, so check the website for specific parks before you head out.

Tom Harrison Topo Map

What does this have to do with real estate?  Property near hiking trails is of high value, because people love to breath the fresh air and absorb the soul solace that nature provides. Contact with nature is good for our health and attention spans, and we are truly blessed here with so many parks and wildlands so close to our world class city. Many thanks are due to the persevering people who made sure these lands were protected. and that's a matter for later post...