The UN is on the verge of destroying itself

The Ottawa Citizen ^ | October 30, 2002 | David Warren

[USA21]

Army gives Fort Baker to National Park Service(FOUNDATIONS AT THE PRESIDIO,UNITED NATIONS) SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS ^ | Oct. 31, 2002 | By Marilee Enge

Posted on 10/31/2002 7:58 PM PST by USA21

Army gives Fort Baker to National Park Service

With San Francisco's skyline shimmering across a perfect blue bay, the Army formally handed Fort Baker over to the National Park Service on Wednesday in the last swords-to-plowshares land transfer in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The 91-acre waterfront site near Sausalito joins the Presidio, Fort Mason, Alcatraz and five other military posts that once guarded the Bay from enemy attack and are now regarded collectively as an urban parkland jewel that sets a national standard for military conversions.

"This is truly one of the prettiest places in the Army," said Army Col. Richard Conte. "Fort Baker will be a remarkable national park, with its rich history and natural setting."

Founded just after the Civil War, the post was once intended as part of a "triangle" harbor defense, along with the Presidio and Alcatraz. But it never launched an attack and was better known for the stately red-roofed mansions that housed Army brass in a village-like setting between oak-studded hills and the Bay. As recently as last year, it was home to an Army training regiment.

Fort Baker's 47 historic buildings, most dating from the turn of the century, are slated to become a retreat and conference center, similar to Asilomar in Monterey.

The nonprofit Fort Baker Institute will conduct public programs relating to conservation, recreation and resource protection, in keeping with the Park Service's mission. And park officials plan to restore a small beach along Horseshoe Cove, improve hiking trails and add picnic areas.

The event also marked the 30th anniversary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, established by Congress in 1972 to protect the dwindling wildlands around the Bay and bring national parks to a city population. It is the largest national park in an urban setting, with 75,500 acres stretching from Tomales Bay south to the Phleger Estate in Woodside.

Two of the most pivotal figures in its creation, parks advocate Amy Meyer and former Sierra Club president Dr. Edgar Wayburn, received a standing ovation Wednesday when park Superintendent Brian O'Neill introduced them as the "mother and father" of the recreation area. The two collaborated with the late Rep. Phil Burton to make the park a reality.

"It, in effect, brings parks to the people," said Wayburn, 96. "It's something we had never done before."

As an honor guard retired the Army flag Wednesday morning, the Air Force Band of the Golden West played "America the Beautiful," appropriate on a day when sunshine sparkled on the Bay and dignitaries welcomed the newest addition to a park system established to protect America's wild and beautiful places.

"It's so extraordinary," said Doug McConnell, who was chosen as master of ceremonies because his TV show "Bay Area Backroads" frequently celebrates the lands in the recreation area. "It's easy to take it for granted."

[dogbowl]

I hope they can find office space in one of the desolate, third world countries they claim to be helping. The incentive? ACRES of that free parking they love so much!