John McLaren (park superintendent)
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John McLaren (1846 – 1943) served as superintendent of the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA for 53 years.
Born in Scotland, he emigrated to the United States in 1870. He was friends with John Muir, and dedicated his life to vigorous advocacy and development of Golden Gate Park, using considerable political skill in addition to his remarkable gardening skill. Appointed Park Superintendent in 1887, one of John McLaren's stipulations before taking the superintendent job was, "There will be no 'Keep off the Grass" signs." He is credited with planting two million trees during his lifetime. The McLaren Park in the southern part of San Francisco is named after John McLaren, as is McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park, where he lived until his death.