Al's Park - Revision history

Lisaruth: added a category

2025-05-08T02:29:43Z

added a category

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:29, 7 May 2025
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	'''''Thanks to Maria Chambers Hutchins and the Corbett Neighbors for the update on restoration of Al's Park.'''''		'''''Thanks to Maria Chambers Hutchins and the Corbett Neighbors for the update on restoration of Al's Park.'''''

	[[category:Castro]] [[category:~~Parks~~]] [[category:~~2000s~~]] [[category:~~2020s~~]] [[category:~~1900s~~]] [[category:Public Art]]		[[category:Castro]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:Gardens]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:Public Art]]

Lisaruth: edited and added text and photos from Maria Chambers Hutchins at end

2022-05-17T00:04:30Z

edited and added text and photos from Maria Chambers Hutchins at end

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:04, 16 May 2022
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	'''<font face = arial light> <font color = maroon> <font size = 3>Unfinished History</font></font> </font>'''		'''<font face = arial light> <font color = maroon> <font size = 3>Unfinished History</font></font> </font>'''

	Al's Park thrived for several decades in the right of way that was supposed to be 19th Street between Market and Corbett Streets. As of 2020, the remarkably whimsical natural oasis has been greatly diminished by the purchase and development of a large lot along the southern edge along Market Street. ~~The photos below are from a visit in 2009. First, here~~'s a shot of the property long before upper Market Street was built, and the large retaining wall with a rainbow mural became a part of the landscape.		Al's Park thrived for several decades in the right of way that was supposed to be 19th Street between Market and Corbett Streets. As of 2020, the remarkably whimsical natural oasis has been greatly diminished by the purchase and development of a large lot along the southern edge along Market Street.

			Here's a shot of the property long before upper Market Street was built, and before the large retaining wall with a rainbow mural became a part of the landscape.

	[[Image:View west toward intersection of Falcon (now Market) and Moss Alley (now 19th). Miller & Joost home (now 3224 Market) at the left. 18th and Park line streetcar, Twin Peaks and Tank Hill in the background wnp15.1723.jpg\|800px]]		[[Image:View west toward intersection of Falcon (now Market) and Moss Alley (now 19th). Miller & Joost home (now 3224 Market) at the left. 18th and Park line streetcar, Twin Peaks and Tank Hill in the background wnp15.1723.jpg\|800px]]
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	[[Image:Als-park-redlined.jpg]]		[[Image:Als-park-redlined.jpg]]

	'''That's it, between the arrows.'''		'''That's it, between the arrows. The photos below are from a visit in 2009.'''

	[[Image:Als wall-on-Market 0872.jpg]]		[[Image:Als wall-on-Market 0872.jpg]]
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	[[Image:Als-view 0861.jpg]]		[[Image:Als-view 0861.jpg]]

	This quirky, eccentric, remarkable oasis ~~that~~ welcomed all, and was maintained by neighbor Al for decades and into his 90s~~, has been mostly destroyed~~. ~~A remnant~~ of the space is still open to the public, but ~~the~~ lush foliage, ~~views, and weird art~~ largely disappeared ~~during the construction of the~~ new luxury home at the ~~foot~~ of ~~the property~~. ~~Another sad micro-story of~~ the ~~disappearance~~ of ~~the soul~~ of ~~San Francisco~~.		[[Image: Al Kovalick age 95.JPG]]

			'''Al Kovalick, age 95.'''

			''Photo: courtesy Kovalick family''

			This quirky, eccentric, remarkable oasis welcomed all, and was maintained by neighbor Al Kovalick for decades and into his 90s. In the years that followed the construction of a home at the base of the park, it became extremely overgrown with blackberry and fennel. The space that remained was still open to the public, but not inviting. The lush foliage, winding paths had largely disappeared.

			[[Image:New-house-on-Als-Park 20201213 005555120.jpg]]

			'''A new luxury home built on the bottom of what was Al's Park. The owners have contributed generously to the redesign, planting and ongoing maintenance of Al's Park. The restoration of Al's Park has become a neighborhood-wide community effort. '''

			''Photo: Chris Carlsson, February 2020''

	[[Image:Al-Park-from-Market-destroyed 20170624 183459.jpg]]		[[Image:Al-Park-from-Market-destroyed 20170624 183459.jpg]]

	'''The mural was punched through while building materials were lifted up to fill in a large part of the lower park area. ~~Today the park is gone~~.'''		'''The mural was punched through while building materials were lifted up to fill in a large part of the lower park area..'''

	''Photo: Chris Carlsson''		''Photo: Chris Carlsson''

	[[Image:~~New-house-~~on-~~Als-Park 20201213 005555120~~.~~jpg~~]]		However, in 2020, as Al neared his 100th birthday (March 17th 2021), a handful of neighbors gathered together to brainstorm how to restore Al's Park to its former splendor. The tangle of blackberry, fennel and other invasive weeds had grown to shoulder height and morning glory vines twisted their way into the tops of fruit trees, strangling their branches and in some cases, obscuring them entirely. As volunteers began to clear the jungle of weeds away, they were amazed to discover that numerous plants, trees, and funky art had survived the years of abandonment.

			[[Image: Al Kovalick age 100 with Supervisor Mandelman.jpg]]

			'''Al Kovalick celebrates his 100th birthday on March 17, 2021 and is presented with a Certificate of Honor by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.'''

			''Photo: courtesy the Kovalick family''

			While Al looked on with a smile, the restoration of Al's Park began in full force. Monthly Saturday work parties in 2021 saw neighbors come out with work gloves and hand tools. A new cherry tree was planted on Al's 100th Birthday, and Supervisor Mandelman showed up to thank and honor Al for his years of service. Al's selfless contribution to the neighborhood has inspired others to pick up where he left off.

			[[Image:Sunset view of Al's Park-Maria Chambers Hutchins.jpeg]]

			'''Sunset view of Al's Park in 2022.'''

			''Photo: Maria Chambers Hutchins''

	~~'''The new luxury home built on the bottom of what was~~ Al's Park.~~'''~~		When you have a chance, wander through Al's Park again. See what original relics you can spot, and admire the new additions thanks to the [https://www.corbettneighbors.com/ Corbett Neighbors]. There is something for everyone.

	''~~Photo: Chris Carlsson, February 2020~~''		'''''Thanks to Maria Chambers Hutchins and the Corbett Neighbors for the update on restoration of Al's Park.'''''

	[[category:Castro]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:Public Art]]		[[category:Castro]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:Public Art]]

Ccarlsson: added photo

2021-05-28T20:58:18Z

added photo

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:58, 28 May 2021
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	''Photo: Chris Carlsson''		''Photo: Chris Carlsson''

			[[Image:New-house-on-Als-Park 20201213 005555120.jpg]]

			'''The new luxury home built on the bottom of what was Al's Park.'''

			''Photo: Chris Carlsson, February 2020''

	[[category:Castro]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:Public Art]]		[[category:Castro]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:Public Art]]

Ccarlsson at 22:58, 8 November 2020

2020-11-08T22:58:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 8 November 2020
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	This quirky, eccentric, remarkable oasis that welcomed all, and was maintained by neighbor Al for decades and into his 90s, has been mostly destroyed. A remnant of the space is still open to the public, but the lush foliage, views, and weird art largely disappeared during the construction of the new luxury home at the foot of the property. Another sad micro-story of the disappearance of the soul of San Francisco.		This quirky, eccentric, remarkable oasis that welcomed all, and was maintained by neighbor Al for decades and into his 90s, has been mostly destroyed. A remnant of the space is still open to the public, but the lush foliage, views, and weird art largely disappeared during the construction of the new luxury home at the foot of the property. Another sad micro-story of the disappearance of the soul of San Francisco.

			[[Image:Al-Park-from-Market-destroyed 20170624 183459.jpg]]

			'''The mural was punched through while building materials were lifted up to fill in a large part of the lower park area. Today the park is gone.'''

			''Photo: Chris Carlsson''

	[[category:Castro]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:Public Art]]		[[category:Castro]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:Public Art]]

Ccarlsson: added photo

2020-07-02T00:15:16Z

added photo

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 1 July 2020
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	''Photos: Chris Carlsson''		''Photos: Chris Carlsson''

			[[Image:Rainbow-mural-on-upper-Market 20170624 183606.jpg]]

			'''Rainbow mural along upper Market just east of the [[Father of Southwest San Francisco Behrend Joost (1845-1917)\|Miller-Joost house]].'''

			''Photo: Chris Carlsson''

	[[Image:Als-on-corbett 0827.jpg]]		[[Image:Als-on-corbett 0827.jpg]]

Ccarlsson at 06:33, 2 June 2020

2020-06-02T06:33:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:33, 1 June 2020
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	This quirky, eccentric, remarkable oasis that welcomed all, and was maintained by neighbor Al for decades and into his 90s, has been mostly destroyed. A remnant of the space is still open to the public, but the lush foliage, views, and weird art largely disappeared during the construction of the new luxury home at the foot of the property. Another sad micro-story of the disappearance of the soul of San Francisco.		This quirky, eccentric, remarkable oasis that welcomed all, and was maintained by neighbor Al for decades and into his 90s, has been mostly destroyed. A remnant of the space is still open to the public, but the lush foliage, views, and weird art largely disappeared during the construction of the new luxury home at the foot of the property. Another sad micro-story of the disappearance of the soul of San Francisco.

	[[category:Castro]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]]		[[category:Castro]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:Public Art]]

Ccarlsson: Created page with "''' Unfinished History ''' Al's Park thrived for several decades in the right of way that w..."

2020-06-02T04:01:45Z

Created page with "''' Unfinished History ''' Al's Park thrived for several decades in the right of way that w..."

New page

''' Unfinished History '''

Al's Park thrived for several decades in the right of way that was supposed to be 19th Street between Market and Corbett Streets. As of 2020, the remarkably whimsical natural oasis has been greatly diminished by the purchase and development of a large lot along the southern edge along Market Street. The photos below are from a visit in 2009. First, here's a shot of the property long before upper Market Street was built, and the large retaining wall with a rainbow mural became a part of the landscape.

[[Image:View west toward intersection of Falcon (now Market) and Moss Alley (now 19th). Miller & Joost home (now 3224 Market) at the left. 18th and Park line streetcar, Twin Peaks and Tank Hill in the background wnp15.1723.jpg|800px]]

'''1905 view west toward intersection of Falcon (now Market) and Moss Alley (now 19th). [[Father of Southwest San Francisco Behrend Joost (1845-1917)|Miller-Joost home]] at the left, Twin Peaks and Tank Hill in upper background.'''

''Photo: OpenSFHistory.org wnp15.1723''

Al’s Park is, or was, a curious ribbon of whimsy and nature rising from the mural on upper Market Street (next to the historic Joost House) and emerging on Corbett. The 1995 Thomas Bros. map has it labeled as 19th Street (multiple ghostly incarnations for 19th!) but Google’s Satellite map doesn’t show there as being any public right of way there. Enter Al’s Park from Corbett and enjoy a strange, almost 19th century-feeling slice of eccentric San Francisco land use.

[[Image:Als-park-redlined.jpg]]

'''That's it, between the arrows.'''

[[Image:Als wall-on-Market 0872.jpg]]

'''Looking down at the mural more familiarly seen while driving by on upper Market Street.'''

''Photos: Chris Carlsson''

[[Image:Als-on-corbett 0827.jpg]]

'''Al's Park entryway on Corbett Street.'''

[[Image:Als-front 0826.jpg]]

'''Al's Park when the entry was at its most lush and hidden, 2009.'''

[[Image:Als-park-sign 0875.jpg]]

'''Nothing professional about this park!'''

[[Image:Als-plastic-pumpkin 0830.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-lush 0847.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-lush-green 0840.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-bird-house-and-flowers 0844.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-faucets 0849.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-bluejay-birdhouse 0878.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-hay-bale 0850.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-fence 0851.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-view-back-up 0856.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-path 0852.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-watering-can-art 0880.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-big-tree 0864.jpg]]

[[Image:Als-view 0861.jpg]]

This quirky, eccentric, remarkable oasis that welcomed all, and was maintained by neighbor Al for decades and into his 90s, has been mostly destroyed. A remnant of the space is still open to the public, but the lush foliage, views, and weird art largely disappeared during the construction of the new luxury home at the foot of the property. Another sad micro-story of the disappearance of the soul of San Francisco.

[[category:Castro]] [[category:Parks]] [[category:2000s]] [[category:2020s]] [[category:1900s]]