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Category Archives: history
Metson Lake
Metson Lake, south-east of the Polo Field, is an out-of-the-way gem in Golden Gate Park. Built in 1908 and intended as a reservoir to hold irrigation water for the park, it opened in conjunction with the Murphy Windmill, a … Continue reading
The Rustic Bridge, Stow Lake
The “Rustic Bridge” at Stow Lake cries out “paint me,” to watercolorists like me. No other spot in Golden Gate Park evokes the English rustic tradition quite so picturesquely as this bridge. Designed by Arthur Page Brown in 1892, it … Continue reading
Artists in Golden Gate Park (talk)
On Wednesday night (Sept. 24), I will be talking about “Artists in Golden Gate Park” at the Canessa Gallery (708 Montgomery St., San Francisco). The talk begins at 7 pm and the gallery will be open before and after to view … Continue reading
Posted in arts, history, people
Tagged art in golden gate park, artists in golden gate park, golden gate park, nature photography
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the apple press sculpture in golden gate park
For some reason I always assumed this sculpture was about wine. That muscled, bare-footed figure evokes for me a beautiful Greek god (Dionysus, Greek god of wine?). Even on a typical foggy day in the park, he conjures a warm day in late … Continue reading
Posted in arts, de young museum, health and safety, history, people
Tagged art in golden gate park, golden gate park, golden gate park history
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How tall was John McLaren?
The statue of John McLaren in Golden Gate Park is a little bit shorter than I am (I’m just under 5’7″). Is it life-sized, I wonder? Somehow I always imagined John McLaren as a major physical presence, given the stories about the fear and trembling that he … Continue reading
Recollections of a 50-year love affair with Golden Gate Park
I can’t resist posting this lovely recollection of Golden Gate Park written by Roselyn Rich Smith, printed in the Marin Independent Journal on June 6, 2024 (to see the original article follow the link at the end). “I have bicycled through some … Continue reading
Posted in history, people, recreation
Tagged bicycling, golden gate park, golden gate park history, urban parks
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pedestrian underpass in Golden Gate Park avoids cars and serves as impromtu bandshell
A pedestrian underpass beckons like an intriguing cave opposite the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, offering a vehicle-free means of traversing JFK Drive. On a sunny day, the sunlit steps on the other side are an invitation to enter and the reward … Continue reading
Posted in arts, concerts, history, infrastructure
Tagged concert in the park, golden gate park, golden gate park history, music in the park, urban parks
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the conservatory of flowers in golden gate park
The Conservatory of Flowers is the emblem and pride of Golden Gate Park. With its elegant symmetry, white-washed glass panes and delicate wooden fretwork it commands an imposing prospect overlooking formal flowerbeds and gracious green lawns. More than anything else, the Conservatory establishes the park’s nineteenth century pedigree, … Continue reading
“The Ball Thrower” in Golden Gate Park
“The Ball Thrower,” a bronze statue on the south side of JFK Drive across from the Conservatory of Flowers, is one of my favorites among the many sculptures scattered throughout Golden Gate Park. Not only is it a delightful character study … Continue reading
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
Posted in arts, history, people, plants
Tagged art in golden gate park, golden gate park, golden gate park history, Shakespeare, shakespeare in the park
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golden gate park: views from the thicket 