Trail Opening Celebration

Containing almost 30,000 acres of estuarine habitat, uplands, open water, mudflats, salt ponds, and salt marshes, including much of southern San Francisco Bay, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for many wildlife.  Its purpose is to protect wildlife habitat for endangered species and migratory birds, and to offer opportunities for nature study. The Visitor Center and Nature Store in Fremont, is open on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refugeis part of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex and is administered by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. TheSan Francisco Bay Wildlife Societyis a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Friends group supporting the education, interpretation, and research activities of San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuges.

Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Help us celebrate the opening of the new Flyway Trail and Viewing Area! Join us for a day of fun, wildlife viewing, and outdoor adventures!

Flyway Trail-Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR-Ravenswood unit.

Peninsula Programs

Programs at the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge locations on the Peninsula, including Bair Island and Ravenswood.

Trail Opening CelebrationCome join us for an exciting Flyway Trail Opening Celebration at the Ravenswood portion of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.It's going to be a fun-filled day of exploring nature, meeting new friends, and enjoying delicious food.The event will kick off with a brief presentation to highlight the purposes and content of the new viewing areas, followed by a dedication ceremony and the unveiling of the new interpretive panels. Then, there will be guided walks, games and hands-on demonstrations, educational booths, and more, fun for the whole family!Location: Flyway Trail, adjacent to Bedwell Bayfront Park and right off of Highway 84. Parking at Bedwell Bayfront Park is located at 1600 Marsh Rd. Menlo Park CA. 94025. Parking will also be available at Meta with a short walk over the Meta Pedestrian bridge. See map below for Trail location, parking areas, and walking route to the event. Agenda:9:30-10:00 Arrive by walking through Bedwell Bayfront Park or over the Meta Bridge. Enjoy hosted coffee, water, juice, and snacks.10:00-10:45 Presentations and unveiling ceremony10:45-11:00 Break and photo opportunities11:00-1:00 Your choice of guided nature walks, learn to cast a fishing rod, playing the "wetland sponge" water-flume game, and more. Lunch foods will be available for purchase during this time.

FAQs· Where can I park? Free parking is available throughout Bedwell Bayfront Park. Overflow parking is available at The Meta parking lot. Take Hwy 84 East, Right onto Chilco St, Left onto Meta Wy, through the security gates, and right into building 23 parking lot. A shuttle is available to take you to the Meta bridge entrance and the southern trail entrance.· What is today’s event? We’re opening a new trail with interpretive signs, benches, and kiosks. It’s part of the Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. There will be a dedication ceremony and the unveiling of the new interpretive panels, games and hands-on demonstrations, educational booths, and more, fun for the whole family!· Is the event ADA accessible and how can I get there? Yes, the trail is ADA accessible and we’re offering a free shuttle today to the event.· How far do I have to walk to get to the event? From Bedwell Bayfront Park to the event it’s 0.8 miles. If accessing from the Meta Bridge, it’s a 0.7 mile walk.· How long is the new trail? The Flyway Trail is 0.5 miles. It connects Bedwell Bayfront Park to the Bay Trail.· What types of wetlands can I see? The Flyway Trail allows you access to see 3 types of wetlands. R5/S5 will be managed pond for ducks and shorebirds. Pond R3 will be a seasonally flooded pond that is managed dry in the summer for nesting federally threatened western snowy plovers. Pond R4 was breached in Dec. 2023 and is in the process of restoring back to vegetated tidal marsh habitat.· How long will it take the R4 restoration to become a functioning tidal marsh? It can take anywhere between 10 and 20 years! We’re excited to already see vegetation starting to grow.· Can I walk on the All American Canal levee? No, the area beyond the decorative gate is only open for maintenance vehicles and scientists.· Can I bring my dog to the Flyway Trail? Yes. Dogs on leash are permitted on the trail.· Are dogs allowed on all Refuge trails? Dogs on leash are allowed on the Flyway Trail and select trails near our Refuge HQ in Fremont. Please check the Refuge website for more details.· How big are the ponds? Pond R4 is 295 acres, Pond R3 is 270 acres and Pond R5/S5 is 60 acres.· Who owns this park? The uplands are part of Bedwell Bayfront Park, which is owned by the City of Menlo Park. Most of the wetlands and the new Flyway Trail are owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and are managed as part of the Ravenswood Unit of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR.· When did this construction begin? Ravenswood construction began in 2018.· How big is the Don Edwards SFBNWR? Established in 1972, this large urban Refuge covers roughly 30,000 acres.· Is there food? Light breakfast and beverages (coffee, water, pastries, and fruit) will be available at the main stage leading up to the event start and as long into it as supplies last. Cielito Lindo taco truck will be selling lunch until 1.· Where are the bathrooms? There is a temporary port-o-let at the north end of the trail and permanent restrooms with running water inside of Bedwell Bayfront Park by their main parking lot.· Why were trucks coming in here for that last 6 years? Lots of clean fill (almost 500,000cubic yards) was trucked in to raise existing berms and create 2 large habitat transition zones along our newly restored tidal marsh. The HTZs provide important edge habitat, improve the marsh’s resilience to sea level rise and add protection to the closed landfill.· Other than today’s event, do you offer tours, school programs, or volunteer opportunities? Yes! Visit our Welcome desk to learn more.· Where can I find out about other trails and recreational opportunities on the Refuge, like fishing and hunting? Visit our Welcome desk to learn more.

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Trail Opening Celebration

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Trail Opening Celebration

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