John McLaren (horticulturist)

"[3] His horticultural philosophy was to achieve a natural look, typified in his dislike for statues, calling them "stookies" and planting trees and shrubs to hide them.

It includes two ponds, a Japanese garden, tennis courts, two public greens, a bandshell (outdoor stage) and miles of hiking trails.

The surrounding watershed, which supplies drinking water and hydroelectricity to the city, also includes miles of mountain biking trails.

The park is the start and finish for the annual Spring Thaw mountain biking race for pros and amateurs.

[6] McLaren had a shrewd and aggressive style of management but was so highly respected that, at the age of 70, he was given lifetime tenure over Golden Gate Park and his salary doubled.

An avenue in the Sea Cliff district of San Francisco was named after him during his lifetime, and he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of California at Berkeley.