Park Renovations Underway

A little over a month ago, Your Boulevardier lamented the condition of the park on Castro Valley Boulevard that includes Castro Valley Creek. One of the architectural elements had been damaged, and some homeless men were noted to be engaged in a loud, profane fight. Your Boulevardier wondered if the park would get more attention with the opening of the new library.

Well, lo and behold, the park is being renovated. It was noted this morning that some trees and shrubbery have been removed; surveyors' stakes around the property indicate, perhaps, the position of landscape features to come. Several massive boulders have been moved onto the property (they're not visible in this photo), indicating perhaps that the naturalistic landscaping theme being used along the creek near the library will be continued to this park.



Your Boulevardier still does not envy the crew that will need to reassemble the bollard.

Determined Vandals

It's safe to say that those who commit vandalism are generally considered to be lacking in ambition. But not the vandals in Castro Valley. Check out this bit of destruction done to the mini-park at Castro Valley Creek (near KFC).



It appears to Your Boulevardier that the vandals constructed a ramp of concrete blocks and a plastic shelf in order to remove the immense -- and immensely heavy - spherical finial from the bollard.

One does not envy the crew that needs to put this to rights.

This park seems, to Your Boulevardier, to be a trouble spot generally. Last week he encountered two homeless men fighting there. The park is usually littered with trash and shopping carts, and is not generally trafficked by aficionados of the creek. It will be interesting to see if that changes when the Library opens.

The Night Before the Dedication

Your Boulevardier walked past the new skate park on San Miguel Avenue, in front of the Adobe Art Center, late this afternoon. The place was crawling with teens (all boys) on bikes and skateboards, along with a goodly number sitting and watching. The flat-topped structure with ramps on two sides was most popular, with a handful of dudes hanging out atop it (one on a broken office chair); the ramp was second-most popular, with several bikes and skateboards rolling up, turning about, then rolling down it. Other boys tried flipping their boards in place; nobody seemed to be riding the scraping rail. It can be noted, too, that none of the boys seemed to be wearing helmets or other protective gear, but none seemed to be doing anything beyond their skill levels. Still, it's probably not unintentional that the park is practically across the street from the fire department.

HARD will dedicate the park (and the adjacent bocce courts, lawn area, playground equipment, and picnic sites) on Friday, June 5.

Wonderful Show at PhotoCentral

Mon ami Kate reminded Your Boulevardier that a show of Bill Owens' photography opens this Friday at PhotoCentral in Hayward. Owens is quite a character and a true original; not only did he make a splash as a photojournalist documenting east bay suburban life the 1960s, but by some accounts he also virtually invented the brewpub in the United States. (Buffalo Bill's in Hayward was founded by Owens in 1983.)

Bill Owens: Five Decades of Photography

A look at the fun, eclectic, unexpected photographic work of a Hayward local and internationally known photographer.

Reception: Friday, April 17, 6:30-9:30 pm
Exhibition Dates: April 17 to June 18, 2009
Gallery Hours: Monday, 5:00-10:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Saturday 12-3 pm and by appointment



Yes, this is a rather blatant bit of advertising for the Castro Valley Boulevardier. But this will be a terrific, even historic, show -- one not to be missed.

Budding Spring

Your Boulevardier walked to the Hayward Japanese Garden (which, one believes, is technically in Castro Valley) this morning. The garden was transformed in an instant late last year, when the giant pine tree that dominated it was toppled in a storm.

It's a surprisingly different place now without the massive tree -- Your Boulevardier used to call it "The World's Largest Bonsai" -- but the garden is still an island of serenity in a sometimes-chaotic world. And because the neighboring senior center is at present closed for renovations, parking is easy and plentiful (should one not care to walk to the garden).

At this time of year the tightly pruned maples are starting to leaf out. The colors and shapes are dramatic and different than any other time of the year. While the good weather is with us, Your Boulevardier recommends a visit. (Alas, our canine amis are not welcome, which at present, sadly, is not an issue for Your Boulevardier.)

If one can't go, a lovely collection of photographs by one James Phillips can be found here.

Super Bowls

Your Boulevardier visited the Wells Fargo Bank on Castro Valley Boulevard today. The banking was uneventful, but other events in the environs were more interesting.

First, at Vella's Locker Room, an autograph-signing event was underway. Your Boulevardier, not being a football fan, did not recognize the athletes offering their John Hancocks, but he did make note of both Raider Santa and Raider Elvis in attendance.

Second, a visit was made to the Adobe Art Center and the A.B. Morris Gallery for HARD's pottery and art sale. Your Boulevardier bought a lovely green-and-blue bowl thrown and glazed by Steve Olson for Mere de Boulevardier's Christmas gift. Many lovely items were for sale, all handmade by local craftspeople, and the prices were very good. A visit is recommended, but a little Internet research reveals that this sale is only occurring today (Saturday, December 13, 2008).

Third, on the way from Vella to Morris, Your Boulevardier inspected progress on the renovation of the parkland in front of the Adobe Art Center, adjacent to Castro Valley Elementary School. The skate park (by design, on the quarter of the property farthest from the art studios), bocce courts, play structure, and picnic areas are well underway. Entry gates that echo the adobe walls of the art center are in strategic places around the property. Your Boulevardier believes the renovated park will be a welcome addition to the downtown environs.

Yet Another Tree Photo

This fiery Liquidambar was captured on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 in Carlos Bee Park on Grove Way.