Urban Oasis

Urban Oasis
            I stand quietly, watching leaf shadows flicker. Tree branches arch into a round frame before me. Small ripples distort reflections of trees on the other side of a small lake. A tiny island pops up from the intensely blue-green water. 
            How far from my city home did I have to drive to stand at this calming place? Ten miles? A hundred? Actually, it was barely half a mile.
            Despite constant news stories about crime and homelessness in major urban areas, cities can also be home to sites of natural beauty. As a fairly large city, San Francisco has an abundance of riches when it comes to nature within an urban setting.
            Golden Gate Park in San Francisco was established over 150 years ago as a place for people to enjoy leisure activities in stunning natural beauty. Parts of the park need upgrading as years go on, and Middle Lake along the Chain of Lakes was the recent recipient of a major makeover.
            As nearby neighbors, we watched and waited to see what the walking trails would be like when the lake reopened. I prefer wild, rough trails to carefully landscaped paths, but was pleasantly surprised. I felt transported by the landscape design with trails leading walkers along the curves of the lake, highlighted by creeks and shallow waterfalls, patches of flowers making an Impressionist painting with their overlapping colors, and charming wooden fences drawing us forward.
            Are there any unexplored nature sites to visit where you live? Take a little time to see what’s on offer, and keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes, Middle Lake-Golden Gate Park, takes readers on a visit to the recently restored and landscaped middle of the three lakes along Chain of Lakes Drive in Golden Gate Park.
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New this week:
Hike Notes 209: Middle Lake-Golden Gate Park