Historical Snapshot #2

We are going to wait for a break in the cold and fog for our Angel Island trip. San Francisco's non-Summer has been particularly chilly and foggy this year. Hopefully the Fall months, when the city heats up for a late Summer, will repay the debt. In the meantime, we put on our sweaters and brave the day.

One such day was Monday morning. Mama needed (needed with a capital N) to buy more coffee. After oatmeal I strapped Zealand on and out the door we headed. Six blocks later we were were with the bikers, joggers, and dog walkers in the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park.

We are so fortunate to live within a mile from Golden Golden Gate Park and less than a quarter of a mile from the oldest park in the city, Buena Vista Park. Walking to parks together has been a daily and constant activity for us. You took your first stroller run at 3 months here in the Panhandle.

The Panhandle became a park in 1870 after its founder, William Hall, figured out a way to plant vegetation over the sand dunes that used to make up much of Golden Gate Park. The area on a 1856 map was called the "Great Sand Bank." Hundreds of non-native trees, including Eucalyptus, were planted on top of the "Great Sand Bank" to become the park with trees that we have always known.

Zealand and I will often meander through the eastern portion of the Panhandle on our way to Peet's coffee. There are always at least six or so dogs that Zealand can admire.

On our way back we cross Haight street and walk through Buena Vista Park. Not only is Buena Vista Park the oldest park in the city, estb. 1867, it also has a children's park. We often visit this park before or after naps when there is just an hour or so to play.

The views of the North part of the city are extraordinary. Duane and I will often come up here as the sun is setting. In fact, this park was the first park Zealand visited as a newborn baby. Dada wrapped him up in a sling when he was less than a week old and took him out for his first park outing.

I often think that we are in the wilderness, the old San Francisco, when walking through these richly forested parks. But, in reality, this wilderness is a result of urban planners who desired nice, public spaces. The trees covered up what was native and wild to the area. Like the many times painted over historic Victorian homes in the city, so too the parks. It is nice to imagine what was here before.