Stairways are Heaven
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More Russian Hill Revisits

5/10/2012

1 Comment

 

Today's excursion: a few more Russian Hill stairways and steep streets not visited in a while. 

Up Leavenworth to the foot of 31.5-grade Filbert (first pic: Hyde, at the top) with its two sidewalk stairways. Took the south steps to get over to the 1338 Filbert Cottages (between Polk and Larkin): very old, long abandoned, and enclosed by a solid wood fence with forbidding barbed wire at the top. Evidently the cottages are now protected from being demolished (and replaced with an ugly, modernistic, no-personality condo). These cute little guys are San Francisco Landmark 232.  

Having loved these (as seen from holes in the fence or over the gate: second pic) for years, was relieved to see them still hangin' in there. I've fantasized about painting them all different colors, moving into one, and gardening to my heart's content. Maybe a picket fence around the whole thing.

Up to Larkin again to ascend George Sterling Park's center stairway. After 44 steps there's a bricked viewplace (as in Bay and Bridge) with benches. This peaceful little hilltop park has multiple stairways. 

Down from Sterling Park via eastside steps to Greenwich and down one of the sidewalk stairways to the vehicle dead-end. 

Greenwich now turns into a stairway/walk: a few steps, then a curvy walkway, and repeat, including a couple of benches and fountain (third and fourth pix) -- down to Leavenworth again. 

Continuing on Greenwich, made my way down the steep street to enter Michelangelo Playground. This small park is unique: below the street, surrounded by residences, entered by a few wooden steps that are part of a playground. There's a very attractive (locked, but easy to see over the low fence) community garden (fifth pic).

Heading south steeply up Leavenworth to Havens stairway/walk (sixth photo), partway up the steps this time to sit in the shade a few minutes.

Picture
Top of Filbert at Hyde
Picture
1338 Filbert, Landmark 232
Picture
Greenwich stairway/walk
Picture
Greenwich stairway/walk
Picture
Michelangelo Park community garden
Picture
Havens stairway/walk up from Leavenworth
1 Comment
Daphne
5/13/2012 04:42:09 am

Tony, that's great for there to be these stairways & gardens inserted between buildings in the city. The Greenwich Stairway Walk has a very interesting little founain surrounded by river rock. I've used some river rock in my xeriscape garden which I've hauled over in my pick up truck. Looks like some of the river rock around the fountain have been painted blue by garden sprites no doubt. Well maybe smurfs did it. Per usual the lush gardens and greenery are beautiful.

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    I like meandering around on San Francisco's park trails and public stairways, sometimes taking photos, and enjoying nature and the outdoors.

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