 It was created under the name "Hetch Hetchy Greenbelt" in the mid-1970s as an asphalt track for pedestrians and bicycles, and part of it was improved by a landscape beautification project.Between 1994 and 2001 the landscaping was completed.On June 10, 2002 it was renamed after John W. Christian, who initiated the second phase of the landscaping as Parks and Recreation Director, but died in 1996 before it was finished.