Walk to SF’s Corona Heights, Buena Vista Park
Tuesday, April 22, 2015 – SF Chronicle
The Bay Area is lucky enough to have flowers blooming year-round, but there’s still something special about spring — the smell of fresh jasmine, the longer daylight hours and the occasional rain that reminds us that a change in weather is possible.
Next month, Walk San Francisco brings you a 2½-hour walk that combines plants, parks and pedestrians, as you explore a community garden and natural landscapes on foot.
Join Master Gardener Fred Bove and Ilene Goldman, 25-year Castro residents and Corona Heights Community Garden members, together with Jenny Sotelo from the city’s Natural Areas Program on May 9 for an exploration of Corona Heights, Buena Vista Park and the Vulcan stairs.
The walk, which includes stair climbing and winding uphill paths, will start at 16th and Market streets and head west to the Corona Heights Community Garden in Corona Heights Park. Bove will share a history and overview of this green space, and highlight the latest news on neighborhood efforts to improve the community garden and the park.
Next, wind up a ramp from the garden to the Randall Museum, which offers children and adults a place to investigate science and art, with interactive and live animal exhibits at a spectacular site overlooking the city. Sotelo will share information regarding her restoration work at both Corona Heights Park and Buena Vista Park. Ongoing restoration efforts include the removal of invasive plant species and reintroduction of native plants to support local wildlife.
Sotelo will also highlight a proposed capital improvement plan for Buena Vista Park, which includes tree replacements, upgrades to trails and paths, and a more drought-friendly irrigation system.
Continue up a series of steps to the top of Corona Heights and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and abundant wildflowers. Stroll through scenic neighborhood streets to visit the woodlands of Buena Vista Park for still more great views. Then walk down the Vulcan stairs and see quaint cottages and interesting landscapes. The walk will end at Kasa Indian Eatery at 18th and Noe streets for an optional snack — you will have earned it.
A Hilltop Gardens, Museums and Parks Exploration: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 9. $10; free for Walk SF members. Meet at 2295 Market St. (at 16th Street), finish at 18th and Noe streets. RSVP required.