On Friday night, November 8th, arts nonprofit Illuminate will officially unveil a large-scale, illuminated arch inside Golden Gate Park. In conjunction with the unveiling, the Bay Area Ridge Trail will reroute to run directly through this new landmark, merging art with nature on the trail.

The 26-foot wide, 13-foot tall solar-powered arch, by artist fnnch, and the 400+ mile Ridge Trail will intersect at the Yellow Dot, which serves as the starting point on the park’s Golden Mile project, run by Illuminate. More than a mile of sculptures, large-scale murals, open-play pianos, live music, and more, highlight The Golden Mile, created in 2022 with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.

A celebration featuring live DJ sets is scheduled from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Yellow Dot on JFK Drive, near Conservatory Drive East. The former road has been closed to cars since 2022.  

“The park is about connecting people, as is the Ridge Trail,” said Illuminate CEO Ben Davis. “To have this incredible new artwork on the Golden Mile intersecting with the Ridge Trail is as poetic as beautiful.”

San Francisco-based artist fnnch, who originally created the artwork for Burning Man, will be on hand for the formal unveiling. “For this piece to make the transition from the Playa to the natural beauty of Golden Gate Park is sublime,” said fnnch. 

The Golden Mile is part of the JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park, which has become a hub for walking, skating, biking, art and music. 

“The Promenade is a place where we are always trying out new and exciting installations, and we’re thrilled to once again partner with Illuminate to bring something fun to light up the dark winter months,” said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “The Solar Arch will be a wonderful companion to the festivity of the holiday season in Golden Gate Park.” 

The Ridge Trail currently runs into the park’s east end from Haight Street and crosses JFK near the arch, creating a unique opportunity for a park celebration.

“The Ridge Trail, which encircles San Francisco Bay, offers an incredible array of views,” said Ridge Trail Executive Director, Janet McBride. “But none feature a massive solar-powered arch and a gigantic yellow dot. I think our hikers are going to love it.”Illuminate creates large-scale works of public art that create awe in San Francisco. Here’s more information on Illuminate. The Ridge Trail connects hikers, bikers, and equestrians on ridgelines around San Francisco Bay. Here’s more information on the Ridge Trail. More information fnnch’s work can be found here. More information on San Francisco Rec and Park can be found here.