Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center Projects

Baylands Interpretive Center Sunset

The Baylands Nature Interpretive Center and Preserve, located at 2775 Embarcadero Road provides a unique opportunity to view a pristine salt marsh habitat and serves approximately 130 classes and camps, 3,000 elementary students and 80,000 visitors annually. The Boardwalk is part of the Baylands Nature Interpretive Center. Three Capital Improvement Program projects were approved by Council to address improvements to this site: Baylands Boardwalk Improvements (PE-14018), Baylands Nature Interpretive Center Facility Improvements (PE-15029) (completed in April 2017), and Baylands Nature Interpretive Center Exhibit Improvements (AC-14001).

The Friendship Trail – A New Learning Experience for Baylands Visitors

The City of Palo Alto is partnering with numerous environmental and community organizations to create an educational experience for visitors along the trail that runs from the boat dock in the Palo Alto Baylands, through the boardwalk at the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center, all the way to Cooley Landing in East Palo Alto.  Inclusive of signs and interactive exhibits, this Friendship Trail experience is being designed to encourage visitors to observe with all of their senses the flora, fauna and ecology of the Baylands Salt Marsh environment and notice and appreciate the special features of this preserve that make it so special and important to the wider community.  The Friendship Trail is expected to be completed by the fall of 2021.

The Friendship Trail (expanded)

Major funding for the project was provided by:

  • The State of California Resource Department for Outdoor Education Facilities 
  • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Cosco Busan Oil Spill Contingency Fund
  • Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space 
  • San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority
  • Friends of the Palo Alto Parks

Project success is being ensured in collaboration with:

  • City of East Palo Alto
  • City of Palo Alto
  • Environmental Volunteers
  • Friends of the Palo Alto Parks
  • Grassroots Ecology
  • Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space 
  • Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Commission
  • San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority
  • Santa Clara Valley Water District
  • Save the Bay
  • Silicon Valley Audubon Society

 

Baylands Nature Interpretive Center Exhibit Improvements Project - In Progress

The project includes the replacement of worn or non-functioning exterior exhibits, signage, and graphics. With over 130 classes and 80,000 visitors, improvements should increase visibility and usefulness.

Eight interpretive stations have been constructed on the deck of the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center. Each station was located adjacent to features of the building, special views of the marsh, or important phenomena. In three of these stations, glass-viewing windows were installed to improve the visibility of the mash from the railings. Each station was constructed to fasten exhibit graphics to the railing for easy reading but with a low profile so that these signs do not block the view.

The exhibit design firm (S2 Associates) has been selected to complete the design of the railing exhibits and oversee fabrication.

Current funding allows for exterior Interpretive Center signs only. Staff is seeking Grant funds for new Boardwalk interpretive signage.

Completion photo of the Baylands Boardwalk

Baylands Boardwalk Improvements Project - Completed

The new Baylands Boardwalk is now open to the public! The original boardwalk was built in 1969, and all but the first 200 feet of the boardwalk was closed for safety reasons in 2014. The new, wider boardwalk is located along the original boardwalk alignment. The Alaskan Yellow Cedar beams, a natural, more rot resistant material, and Redwood railing posts were installed ahead of the new Redwood railing and decking. The community can now revisit the boardwalk to experience panoramic views of the bay and wetlands.  

Project improvements include:

  • New structural supports
  • New railings and decking
  • New overlooks
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades and compliance with current codes and standards and regulatory requirements
  • Consideration of sea-level rise projections and a boardwalk design life expectancy of 50-75 years
  • Locations for new exhibit improvements/signage (separate project)
  • Matching the alignment and general configuration of the existing boardwalk

Baylands Nature Interpretive Center Facility Improvements Project - Completed

The project was completed in April 2017. The Baylands Open Space Education Program is continuing at the Cooley Landing and its Education Center located at the East end of Bay Road in East Palo Alto (Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, and on Saturdays, from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm).

Starting, May 8th the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center will be open to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, and on Saturdays, from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. June 12th is the first day of Bay Camp, our youth summer camps program at the Center.

Location

2500 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303  View Map

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