This 373-acre preserve is comprised of two noncontiguous areas located south of the Dumbarton Bridge and adjacent to San Francisco Bay. The northern area, abutting the Dumbarton Bridge, is currently closed for salt pond restoration work as part of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.

The larger southern area, located near Cooley Landing in East Palo Alto, provides public access, funded by the Coastal Conservancy and made possible through a joint effort between San Mateo County and the District. Access in the southern area includes a bicycle and pedestrian trail along the levee surrounding the marsh, a 12-car wheelchair-accessible parking lot, and two wheelchair-accessible observation decks. The marsh attracts a variety of migrating birds including sandpipers, dowitchers, and avocets. Great blue herons, white pelicans, and egrets are also common.

South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project

The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project is a federal/state multi-agency effort (Fish and Wildlife Service, California State Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and local water districts) aimed at restoring 15,100 acres of commercial salt ponds at the south end of San Francisco Bay to a mix of tidal marsh, mudflat, and other wetland habitats.

Phase 1 of the restoration project, started in March 2009, focuses on restoring a former commercial salt pond (Ravenswood Salt Pond SF2) into a natural tidal wetland that will support wildlife such as shorebirds. The restoration work will also:

• Create several nesting islands within the interior of the former salt pond
• Install inlet and outlet channels in the levee to allow bay water to circulate
• Create wildlife viewing opportunities for the public along the edge of the restored salt pond
• Replace and extend the unimproved shoreline levee trail with an ADA-accessible trail along the entire length of the shoreline
• Construct new visitor facilities, including two wildlife viewing platforms, a kiosk, chemical toilets, and benches.

The project will not only increase public awareness of the South Bay salt pond restoration effort, but will also dramatically improve the public’s shoreline experience and access by all visitors.

The project complements the District’s continuing role in preserving open space in the Ravenswood area and promotes inter-agency collaboration to close the remaining gaps in the San Francisco Bay Trail. The shoreline trail is expected to reopen at the end of 2010, on completion of the restoration project.

HOW TO GET THERE

To reach the southern portion of the preserve, take the University Avenue exit off of Highway 101, and travel north to Bay Road. Turn right on Bay Road. The Preserve is located at the end of Bay Road adjacent to Cooley Landing.

The northern bayland area lies adjacent to and south of the Dumbarton Bridge approach. This area includes about l00 acres of wetlands and an adjacent levee. Visitors can hike along the levee for about 1/2 mile. Parking is available off of Highway 84 near the Dumbarton Bridge Fishing Pier.

Download a map of Ravenswood Open Space Preserve

For an easy interactive location map, click Google local directions.