I have been to San Francisco, several times, maybe around 15 times. I have always known it as a city for skip and play, and thus I only assess its activity centers, never its gas stations, urger care centers and other service providers. And Salesforce Park, is a leisurely green spot that literally elevates a stroll to an architectural tour of SF's Downtown. In short, it is an activity center that is grandiose, and quite literally a treat from the good people at Salesforce to SF and its people, and its visitors.
I arrived to SF from Oakland, via Ferry. This place is walking distance from the Ferry building. Maybe like less than a 15 minute walk, and my steps are short and slow, so I am likely over estimating the distance in minutes. Once you get there, I recommend looking for the free glass Gondola. It is operated by a Gondolier. The wait was not long, and the ride was not long either. I went during the holiday season, and as I rode up I was able to see the word Joy as a three letter art installation. However, from my point of ride, I saw the words backwards, not yoj, but rather joy, written to be read from right to left. The small moment made me focus on the word joy, and by focusing on the word, I felt lighter, like I understood that flaws can be beautiful even though they make something imperfect, which reminded me that my joy can still be true, powerful, and affirming, even if it is seen as flawed. I guess what matters is that it can stand.
As soon, as I got up to the park I knew that I was in for a treat, the moment had a stillness that was thick and stimulating. Before seeing the different green in the area, I saw the different folks walking the paths. And I immediately focused on the person (who read female) who was wearing a witches costume. But her witches costume was not traditionally black. Instead she was wearing a purple dress, whose pointed hat matched the red and orange flower pattern of the dress, not perfectly, but I knew she tried to coordinate the colors and patterns of the dress to those of the hat. I clipped a picture of the character, who in my mind, was dressed as a mage of a world that mirrored Candy Land topography and had the responsibility to keep play imaginative and frivolous in a productive way. I am not sure if she was a costume performer or a citizen who embraced the folly of absurdity on Sundays. Regardless, she was one of the many people with stories and personalities that gave this park population.
As I walked through the park, I first noticed the different small gardens all around the park. For instance, there was a patch filled with bamboo. I went behind the bamboo, hoping to be lost in a Chinese forest, for a least a second, but, the patch was small. But still, I wondered amidst bamboo, when I did not expect to see this type of green at Salesforce Park. I also saw signs that talked about how a patch was green from Australia, and other signs discussed other green from the world. I did clip a sign that explained that some green was from a "Cloud Forest". Before reading the description, I allowed myself to imagine that the branches and leafs of this patch of green were somehow nurtured or attached to clouds. But instead, the sign described that a cloud forest is one "that occurs on high mountains" and it is named cloud forest because it is "often shrouded in mist and fog." Meaning, that the vegetation that was before had known the heights of mountains that might hold ancient temples. The green patches from around the globe were exceptional because they made a stroll around the loop a brief cruise around the planet.
The second exceptional quality of this park is that it allowed one to enjoy the buildings of San Francisco up close, which allowed me to understand them from a different point of view. It was great to be in a place that offered a fresh take on a park, while it also offered a fresh take on a city. For instance, walking around the park I was able to take a picture of a bridge, and it was not the Golden Gate, it was not colored international orange. It felt like I was able to touch the thick suspension cables, which made me feel like a giant of the land. I never felt like I could grab a bridge with my hands. Another great sight, came when I saw the twinkle of a building- it was the sunlight hitting one of its windows. However, the shine made a star of light. It was the only visible and large refracted light moment amongst the buildings. It felt like catching the twinkle of a star, as paparazzi bombarded her, and she remained strong in glamour, with the proof being the twinkle in her eye. Honestly, looking at all the buildings was probably the best part of my first experience at this park, that might be the only one I have in years, or in my life.
I know that a person goes to a park for different reasons, and I think that this park has everything for any park goer- and on some nights Zumba! read more