On a serene morning at the Presidio, Diana Simmons joined a group of individuals for a community yoga session. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever practiced yoga,” she expressed.
While the participants focused on their wellness, Simmons, who serves as the chief operating officer of the Presidio Trust, also thought about the park’s future health. “Thanks to our partnership with Sutter Health, we can fund our programs and offer these free activities to the public,” she noted.
The collaboration between the Presidio and Sutter Health is being hailed as a groundbreaking initiative. “This is the first alliance between a nonprofit healthcare organization and a national park,” Simmons explained.
Looking ahead, this partnership will bring a variety of free health and wellness activities to the Presidio, including outdoor yoga classes and a wellness installation set to open in 2027, all supported through Sutter Health’s collaboration with the San Francisco 49ers.
For Sutter Health, this collaboration aims to enhance accessibility, encouraging individuals to take proactive steps toward their health. On the other hand, Simmons mentioned that this new alliance will provide much-needed revenue for the Presidio. “Most of our funding comes from residential and commercial real estate, but that isn’t enough to address our significant maintenance needs,” she revealed. “We have essential utilities and other costs from the Army’s time here that we need to manage. Maintaining the park’s beauty and safety requires substantial funding.”
Dr. Nisha Patel, an internal medicine specialist with Sutter Health, pointed out that many people are seeking ways to enhance their health. “Generally, the more active someone is, the better their health tends to be,” she explained. She is enthusiastic about recommending the Presidio to her patients when appropriate. “There’s plenty of research showing the health benefits of being in nature, especially when engaging in physical activities. Just spending two hours a week outdoors can significantly boost our mood and overall well-being.”
The Presidio operates on a unique funding model, and Simmons believes this new partnership will help them expand their financial resources. “We welcome nearly 10 million visitors to the park each year, and we want to ensure it remains a beautiful and well-kept space for everyone,” she shared. “We have to generate all our own funding to achieve that.”
Leaders from both the Presidio Trust and Sutter Health are optimistic that their partnership may serve as a model for similar initiatives in the future.
