So, I went out scouting around today, planning possible future shoots. I was checking out available parking for one particular location, when I drove by this cool looking public garden area. Whoa! I need to get a closer look.
Once I was able to navigate the one-way streets in that neighborhood, I took a wonderful stroll through a garden that was set aside as a staging area (in 1961, I believe the sign said) for CalTrans to use during the construction of the extension of the 710 freeway. CalTrans is the entity that builds and maintains the freeway system here in California, and the 710 freeway extension will likely never happen since it will cut through some old and rather high-end neighborhoods and those residents aren't going down without a fight. They are STILL fighting. But I digress.
The plot of land was donated by CalTrans to be used as a community garden. The garden contains a small orange grove (the oranges are used to make marmalade, the proceeds of which go into maintaining the garden) and a large variety of native plants, intermingled with some interesting garden art, benches and a couple of picnic spots.
This beautiful glass disc was the most impressive of the art. It is set in a weathered wire canopy over a stone seating area.
Very nice! Sounds like a fun place to visit - it also sounds like CalTrans may have given up on the 710. What I'm amazed at is that people would prefer to put up with the horribly clogged streets during rush-hour while those getting off the freeway make their way north to connect to something else. Drove it once when I went for a job interview - if I had gotten the job I would have moved, it was so bad.
