Last updated: March 3, 2021
Place
12 - Phillip Burton
WAYSIDE TITLE: Phillip Burton
PANEL LOCATION: The wayside faces west along the asphalt path of the Great Meadow Loop Trail. Accessible restrooms are back in the opposite, on your lefthand side.
VIEW FROM WAYSIDE: The wayside is on the eastern portion of the Great Meadow and is placed so that the Phillip Burton Statue is directly before you, framed by the Golden Gate Statue in the distance. The statue is encircled by gray bricks and is accessible by an additional walking path that cuts through the Great Meadow. The bronze statue of Burton is larger than life, suggesting something of his famous will and persona. Viewed from the side, Burton stands tall, with one leg slightly bent. His left arm is bent at the elbow, the fingers on his hand spread wide, his open palm facing towards him. His right arm is fully extended to his side, with his hand gesturing as if allowing someone to enter a room or pass by him. His hair is wavy and parted to the side. His mouth is open, and his brow furrowed, lending the impression that he is mid-speech. Headquarters building 201 and accessible parking is to your right, and accessible restrooms are to your left.
TEXT: Powerful, Profane, Brilliant, Fierce. Phil Burton wasn't a moderate man. Elected to Congress from San Francisco in 1964, he fought for workers' rights, for seniors and people with disabilities, and for the impoverished and under-privileged. Once convinced that creating national parks close to where people live would improve their lives, he fought for park legislation. He fought and he won.
In 1972, Burton authored the bill that created this park, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He went on to author expansive national parks and recreation acts in 1978 and 1980. The 1978 bill more than doubled national park lands, nearly doubled the wild and scenic river system, and tripled the number of national trails.
TEXT: Today, you can enjoy stunning landscapes and historic landmarks on both sides of the Golden Gate Bridge because Phil Burton protected them from development. Across the country, Burton's vision has forever influenced the way we, as a nation, view, value, and preserve our national heritage.
How can we work to improve our community?
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: To the left side is the statue of Phillip Burton in the Great Meadow of Fort Mason. He stands with one arm outstretched, and the other reaching out towards the viewer, as if he is in the middle of delivering a speech. He wears a suit, and an expression of concentration.
CAPTION: Standing 11 feet high, this bronze memorial statue of Phillip burton was dedicated on June 15th, 1991.
QUOTE: "Phillip Burton was a great intellect and a passionate voice for workers, the poor, the elderly and people with disabilities, and was a protector of human rights and the environment. Through his work, the world has been endowed with a lasting legacy of gifts. Years from now, people will continue to benefit from his dedication to a better future."
TEXT: "His Unmatched Legacy."
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A black-and-white photo of Phillip Burton is placed at the top of this panel. He wears a suit and tie and rests his head against his hand as he stares solemnly out ahead.
TEXT: Some of the many sites created or expanded through legislation sponsored by Phil Burton:
LIST: NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES
- Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historical Park, Georgia
- Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, Maryland
- Boston African American National Historic Site, Massachusetts
- Women's Rights National Historical Park, New York
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
- Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Hawaii
- War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam
- Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, North Carolina
- Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site, Pennsylvania
- Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, Massachusetts
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Louisiana
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland and West Virginia
LIST: NATIONAL PARKS AND PRESERVES
- Channel Islands National Park, California
- Denali National Park, Alaska
- Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
- Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska
- Wrangell-St.Elias National Park, Alaska
- Yukon-Charley Rivers National Park, Alaska
- Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
- Biscayne National Park, Florida
LIST: NATIONAL TRAILS
- Oregon National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Continental Divide National Historic Trail
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
- Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
- Iditarod National Historic Trail
LIST: NATIONAL RECREATION AREAS
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, California
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Georgia
- Gateway National Recreation Area, New York
NATIONAL SEASHORE
- Point Reyes National Seashore, California
MEMORIALS
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.
- National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington, D.C.
- Albert Einstein Memorial, Washington, D.C.
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Washington, D.C.
PANEL DESCRIPTION: This panel spans along the bottom edge of this wayside. It displays five photos of national park service sites.
TEXT: Phil Burton's legacy lives on in these, and many other protected sites:
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: An aerial shot featuring the Presidio, bright green and dotted with white buildings with red roofs, in the foreground. The Golden Gate Bridge, the color of International Orange, spans over the San Franciscan Bay and stretches to the Marin Headlands in the distance.
CAPTION: California, Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A black-and-white photograph shows Martin Luther King Jr. standing at a podium, his arm outstretched towards a large audience below.
CAPTION: Georgia, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A bright blue lake nestled into a dense forest of yellow trees, including pines. Mountains capped with snow line the background.
CAPTION: Alaska, Lake Clark National Park and Reserve.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A prairie schooner, or covered wagon, in a grassy field. A teepee is next to the wagon
CAPTION: Oregon, Oregon National Historic Trail.
DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A dramatic peninsula is bordered on either side by frothing waves and a roaring blue ocean. A large green expanse stretches into the background.
CAPTION: California, Point Reyes National Seashore.
DIRECTIONS TO NEXT WAYSIDE: From the wayside, turn around and walk west for 82 more feet. Turn left and walk 112 feet. Take a slight left at the fork and walk 39 more feet. Turn right and walk across the crosswalk. Continue for 278 feet, and you will arrive back at the first wayside and your original starting place. Thank you for visiting your National Park!