Officials Announce Plan to Transform Golden Gate Fields into Public Park

The 161-acre former racetrack site will be purchased and converted into a new waterfront park along the San Francisco Bay.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Officials have announced a plan to purchase the 161-acre Golden Gate Fields property on the Berkeley-Albany border and transform it into a new public park. The effort is being led by the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit, in partnership with the East Bay Regional Park District. The $175 million purchase from current owner the Stronach Group is expected to close next year, with the existing buildings and facilities to be removed from the site.

Why it matters

This project represents a rare opportunity to expand public access and green space along the San Francisco Bay shoreline, which has limited open areas for recreation and community use. Turning the former racetrack into a park will help connect existing open spaces and create a more resilient coastal environment that can better withstand the impacts of sea level rise.

The details

Under the terms of the option agreement, the Stronach Group will remove all existing buildings and facilities from the Golden Gate Fields site, including stables for 1,420 horses, an 8,000-seat grandstand, and parking for 8,500 cars. The Trust for Public Land will then work with the East Bay Regional Park District to acquire the property and oversee its long-term ownership and stewardship as a new public park.

  • Officials announced the plan to purchase and transform Golden Gate Fields on April 1, 2026.
  • The $175 million purchase from the Stronach Group is expected to close in 2027.

The players

Trust for Public Land

A national nonprofit organization with a 50-year history of protecting land for public use and creating parks and gardens.

East Bay Regional Park District

The government agency responsible for managing and maintaining a system of regional parks and trails in the East Bay area of the San Francisco Bay.

The Stronach Group

The current owner of the Golden Gate Fields property, a horse racing track located on the Berkeley-Albany border.

Jesse Arreguín

California State Senator representing the district that includes the Golden Gate Fields site.

Buffy Wicks

California State Assemblymember representing the district that includes the Golden Gate Fields site.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are still early in the process and will be engaging community members and stakeholders across the region in supporting acquisition of this essential missing link in an interconnected shoreline park system.”

— Guillermo Rodriguez, Director of California Operations, Trust for Public Land

“This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a world-class waterfront that belongs to everyone.”

— Rashi Kesarwani, Berkeley City Councilmember

What’s next

The Trust for Public Land will now work with the East Bay Regional Park District and engage with community members and stakeholders to finalize the acquisition of the Golden Gate Fields property and begin the process of transforming it into a new public park.

The takeaway

The plan to convert the Golden Gate Fields racetrack into a new public park represents a rare chance to expand access to the San Francisco Bay shoreline and create a more resilient coastal environment. This project, if successful, will help connect existing open spaces and provide a valuable community asset for residents across the East Bay region.