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The Music Concourse as we know it today was built in 1900, when Claus Spreckels gave his Temple of Music to the people of
San Francisco. Hundreds of trees were planted in a grid pattern in the Bowl to provide shade for the concert-goers. At the
dedication, one of the speakers referred to the tree grid and how future generations of San Franciscans would enjoy music
under "these trees in their age and decrepitude as now in their early growth."
LANDMARKS APPLICATION
The Music Concourse has been a significant outdoor performance space that is important to San Francisco's history. According
to the Landmarks application prepared by architectural historian William Kostura, "...the Music Concourse has significance
at the local level as an outdoor performance space and for its association with the Park Band...for most of the twentieth
centery the Concourse was one of several free cultural attractions in this part of Golden Gate Park...the Music concourse,
then, represents important themes in San Francisco's cultural history."
In addition, Kostura states, "...the Music Concourse has significance at the national level as a late nineteenth
century and early twentieth century urban park landscape. The landscape is an unusually complex one, with a musical performance
space, dual circulation systems (for vehicles and pedestrians), trees, and many commemorative monuments. The aesthetic quality
of the place is very high... Very few urban park landscape in the United States are this complex, have this level of quality,
and retain this degree of integrity."
"The integrity of the district is very high. The major elements - the concourse bowl, the Temple of Music, the London
plane trees, the benches, the staircases, the paths, and strets, the pedestrian tunnels, the fountains, the monuments - all
survive, with remarkabley few modern intrusions." [Please note: there are elm trees and a few other species in the
Bowl, which Kostura mentions elsewhere; in addition, the tunnels have now been destroyed by the present construction but are
scheduled to be replaced.]
HISTORIC TREES
The historic trees are now mature. Over the years, trees have been lost due to lack of funding for specialized maintenance,
vehicular damage during public events and other accidents. These trees need careful monitoring and maintenance that is threatened
by our current budget cuts.
In addition, this should be a full grid, but it is missing many trees. As part of the Surface Improvements Project, the
City is going to replant many of the missing trees, as described in the Golden Gate Park Master Plan. Friends of the Music
Concourse is also advocating for replacement of the missing trees in front of the Bandshell. This tree grid provides shade
for concert-goers on sunny days as well as protection from our rolling fogs.
Some historical Concourse structures have been lost forever due to the current construction. However, the remaining elements,
such as the fountains, bandshell, and decomposed granite walking surface must be preserved and maintained. New benches are
needed to replace the existing site furniture.
The character of the Bowl is formed with all of these historic features. They are an integral part of the cherished memories
of visitors from all over the world.
OUR GOALS
Friends of the Music Concourse has been organized so that we can share information and work with the citizens of San Francisco
and the staff of the involved City Departments to participate in preserving the remaining historical character of the Music
Concourse.
To read the full application by William Kostura, type in: http://www.sfpix.com/landmark(space) images/index.html
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