Philosopher's Way at McLaren Park
Unfinished History
Inaugural ceremony for "Philosopher's Way" in McLaren Park, January 5, 2013.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Checking out the new plaques on the Philosopher's Way loop in McLaren Park, January 2013.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
View from same spot looking north.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
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During a Shaping San Francisco Public Talk on Storytelling and Memory Keepers, artist Susan Schwartzenberg describes the development and creation of "Philosophers Way," a meandering circular path that integrates older paths around McLaren Park into a new circumnavigation of the whole park. Elegant marble plaques quoting historic events, musings, and set in under-appreciated view spots, highlight the tour.
Video: Shaping San Francisco
Susan Schwartzenberg and Peter Richards at inaugural, January 5, 2013.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
SF Arts Commission Plaque
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke at the Cow Palace (visible in distance) in 1964, and this plaque commemorates that event.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
MLK plaque
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Forest trail, part of Philosopher's Way.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Hiking Philosopher's Way, January 2013.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Describing how the street names in the Excelsior were changed after WWII.
Photos: Chris Carlsson
Reading plaque about origins of Visitacion Valley, overlooking the former Brisbane Lagoon.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Visitacion Valley origins.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
View north from McLaren Park, Bernal Heights in foreground, downtown in distance, 2013.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Five years later, 2018, this view from further south and west on a higher peak in McLaren Park.
Photo: Chris Carlsson