I was proud to conduct a ribbon-cutting celebration of
the $2 million San Bruno Mountain State and County
Park Day Use Improvement Project May 13, in the
Saddle Area off Guadalupe Canyon Parkway. The
project includes an interpretive center, new picnic areas
with BBQ grills and new restrooms.

San Bruno Mountain offers a great outdoor escape
from close-by urban life with 12-miles of hiking trails,
wildflower displays and spectacular views of San
Francisco and the Farallon Islands. This project will
enhance the visitor experience and bring in more
people to explore this remarkable place.

While the peaks of San Bruno Mountain Park are easily
seen from Highway 101, its biological significance is
not obvious. The park is home to rare and endangered
plants and three rare and endangered butterfly species
including the Mission Blue and San Bruno Elfin that
are found in only a few other places in the world. The
new interpretive pavilion will feature exhibits and
space for educational programs.

I was proud to help secure $2 million in Measure K
funding to support the improvements the public
identified through surveys conducted in 2022 to 2023.
Last year, approximately 205,000 people visited the
2,400-acre park. It is operated under the first Habitat
Conservation Plan in the United States that allows
limited development in exchange for financial support
for preservation of threatened species and their habitat.
San Mateo County is responsible for management of
the plan.

David Canepa serves on the San Mateo County Board
of Supervisors representing Brisbane.

By David J. Canepa