Author Archives: fromthethicket

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About fromthethicket

I'm a landscape historian and professor emeritus of landscape architecture, UC Davis. I live in San Francisco.

Must love broccoli: A community garden plays matchmaker | KALW

  Community gardens have come and gone in Golden Gate Park over the years.  The pictures show victory gardens in the park during WW II.  The following KALW story describes a new garden where vegetables are growing communally in the park. … Continue reading

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Golden Gate National Parks BioBlitz Reaches New Heights – National Geographic Society Press Room

I read this press release with delight and wondered how many species a BioBlitz would turn up in Golden Gate Park.  Wouldn’t it be interesting to compare? “SAN FRANCISCO (March 31, 2014)—After two intensive days of exploration and documentation, the Golden … Continue reading

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Shakespeare in the Park

Here’s a lovely article about the Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park.   Reminds me that I’ve been meaning to revisit this little gem.  When the rain stops  .  .  . “An Afternoon with the Bard in Golden Gate Park … Continue reading

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Golden Gate Park is a favorite running route.

“Nathan Yau at FlowingData created maps tracing popular running routes in 22 major cities and San Francisco is one of them.”   As a runner, I’m not surprised to see my favorite route show up bold on this map;  it … Continue reading

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runaway horse causes havoc in golden gate park (Feb. 21, 1886)

Looking at pictures like this one (South Drive, Golden Gate Park, probably dating to the late nineteenth century, SFPL/AAA-8339), it’s tempting to romanticize the park before the advent of the automobile.  But the following hair-raising report from the San Francisco … Continue reading

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trees love light: photos of trees in golden gate park at the botanical garden

A beautiful exhibit of photographs by local photographer, Steve Kane, opened in the library of the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park last night and will be on view through April, 2014.   Don’t miss this one!  Using … Continue reading

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Woodpeckers in Golden Gate Park?

Here’s a helpful article for identifying woodpeckers you may see in Golden Gate Park, especially now that winter makes them more visible (from the website Bay Nature). Which Species of Woodpecker Can You Find in Golden Gate Park?     by … Continue reading

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The Very Old Hospital in Golden Gate Park

Here’s an interesting bit of Golden Gate Park history, courtesy of sfcurbed.com. “Tucked in the parking lot of Kezar Stadium is the Park Emergency Hospital. Originally built in 1902 as the first permanent emergency hospital in San Francisco, it’s since … Continue reading

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people-watching in Golden Gate Park, 1888

People-watching is a popular, free entertainment that has been available in Golden Gate Park since it first opened to the public in the 1870s.  Here’s one observer’s report on the show that was running on Oct. 8, 1888 (San Francisco … Continue reading

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Closing the park overnight

This week the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a long-discussed plan to close the park to the public from midnight to 5 a.m., citing vandalism and dumping as concerns.  City leaders approve overnight park closure plan | http://www.ktvu.com Opponents … Continue reading

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