Might this actually work?

@TheHorse (238268)
Walnut Creek, California
August 19, 2016 12:36pm CST
For three years, I've stopped here for a break after I work at the preschool in Berkeley. It's where University Avenue meets the entrance to the Berkeley Marina, and it's been basically a bunch of heaps of dirt--not very pretty. Then I saw the bulldozers. And then finally I saw the sign. They're turning the land into "rolling hills" and seeding it with native grasses and other plants. As you can see, there's a view of San Francisco even from the parking lot. Maybe it will soon be a pretty park where people can jog, hike, and walk their dogs. Kudos to Berkeley for not allowing it to be a mall or some other such horror.
16 people like this
14 responses
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Aug 16
Something positive for what is at the moment a very 'ordinary' landscape.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
I look forward to seeing it after the rains (assuming we get some this Winter).
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Aug 16
@TheHorse Just read @Raelove's comment. Hopefully they'll plant water-friendly plants although covering large areas could be a problem.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381813)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Aug 16
@Raelove It seems more and more areas are suffering under drought conditions - or maybe I'm just hearing about it more and it's always been that way.
Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
19 Aug 16
That's great that they are doing something like that. There are enough concrete jungles about.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
Yes, this looks like it's going to be nice. I also saw some almost ripe blackberries around the edge today. i wonder if they'll plant more berries (they're native, I think) and some trees.
1 person likes this
UmiNoor
@UmiNoor (4521)
• Malaysia
20 Aug 16
That is quite a big area to develop as a park. I hope that after the development is done, there will be regular maintenance so the park won't become like the park near where I live which has the look of an abandoned lot.
1 person likes this
UmiNoor
@UmiNoor (4521)
• Malaysia
21 Aug 16
@TheHorse Mismanagement is rampant in Malaysia. And if you've been following Malaysia news, you would also know how corrupted the public officials are here.
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
I hope so too! Don't they maintain things well in Malaysia?
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
20 Aug 16
This is an excellent project, this is going to be a nice place where to walk.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
21 Aug 16
@TheHorse Do you know by which date the project will be completed?
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
I look forward to seeing it when it's done.
1 person likes this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Aug 16
such a lovely view too.
1 person likes this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Aug 16
@TheHorse I was up at the...uh something on the hill overlooking the GG bridge for a wedding once, some kind of park thing? was super pretty
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
The view of San Francisco, and of the Golden Gate Bridge, is quite impressive.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
@Jessicalynnt Was the Golden Gate bridge close (probably Marin Country) or in the distance on the horizon (probably Tilden Park in Berkeley)?
1 person likes this
crazyhorseladycx
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
19 Aug 16
i'm dancin' a jig o'er this news! if'n they'd stopped rippin' out all that 'twas natural years back, y'all'd prolly not be'n the pickle yer'n - aka severe drought, followed by mudslides/floodin' 'n then there's those fires... i hope that they get such done soon, hon. what a treat to go 'n visit when 'tis completed.
1 person likes this
crazyhorseladycx
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
20 Aug 16
@TheHorse what??? did'ja save me a couple?? if'n not, boy're ya'n trouble mister! lol i hope they plant all back the way 'twas 'fore they destroyed 't - both fer the humans 'n critters sake. i'd love to get updates'n such if'n ya recall to do so :)
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
@crazyhorseladycx I'll keep you posted on what I see.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
I cycled along the shoreline to the South today to get a look at it from a different angle. Found some blackberries there as well (ate about ten--they're just getting ripe). It looks pretty big! Should be nice, especially if the plant some trees.
1 person likes this
Sue H.
@CinnamonGrl (7086)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
19 Aug 16
Hey that's good news! Unless you really didn't want other people around. I bet it's going to be a very nice place to stop when they finish.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Aug 16
I don't mind others around. But you're right. I hope parking doesn't become impossible. I just like to decompress there after working with a bunch of rowdy (and delightful) kids.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (174223)
• United States
23 Aug 16
But, pony, a nicely equipped mall can also be a thing of beauty, in the right circumstances!
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
19 Aug 16
McLaughlin East Shore State Park? About 1 in 15 surnames around here is McLaughlin... Not many Cowells hereabouts though, even if that State Park is on t'other side of the hill from the Bay area.
1 person likes this
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
20 Aug 16
@TheHorse Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton, near Santa Cruz, on highway 9, I believe. A pleasant walk, looking down into the San Lorenzo river, and one where I lost my watch some years ago.
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
Where is Cowell State Park? Not sure that I've heard of it.
1 person likes this
James Higgins
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Aug 16
That will be a great park-like setting and the view will be great!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Aug 16
I hope they're able to keep it clean. And safe.
1 person likes this
Susan
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
19 Aug 16
Wouldn't that be nice to have a park to walk in instead of a pile of dirt.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Aug 16
It would be great! I have my bike in my vehicle from yesterday. I may cycle around the periphery and see what it looks like from other angles.
1 person likes this
DJ
@Daljinder (23193)
• Bangalore, India
19 Aug 16
Park actually sound pretty cool idea.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
So far, it looks pretty good. I cycled around there today, and it looks nice.
1 person likes this
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Aug 16
Yes, kudos! Land developers are scum.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Aug 16
We know what they want, regardeless of how it affects the environment.
1 person likes this
Teresa Trotter
@teresatrotter (4073)
• Jacksonville, Florida
19 Aug 16
That will be something nice to have...
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Aug 16
It will indeed. Maybe I'll bring my bike down there and do some exploring when it's done.