We all know that Bernal Heights is a neighborhood of glamor and grandeur, and beautiful views spied from Bernal’s many hilltops are so pervasive that they’re almost commonplace.
But the vistas aren’t always so grand, and I’d like to propose that this perspective, looking south from Bernal’s east slope, may well be the ugliest spot in the entire Dominion of Bernalwood.
In fact, it’s so grim, that as soon as I saw it, I found my self flashing-back to that stoic Native American guy with the tear rolling down his cheek:
PHOTO: Telstar Logistics
Bernalwood 
I know that view! If it weren’t for the unkempt sidewalk, torn fence, and vandalized sign, it could be pretty back there. I walk there often with my dog and enjoy looking at the evening commuters stuck on 101.
Who does the land belong to? Perhaps we could pretty it up a bit. Would anyone be keen to try?
SF Parks Trust should be able to help you find out who owns the land and get it prettied up. http://www.sfpt.org/OurPrograms/CommunityGreening/tabid/86/Default.aspx
I know it’s last minute but if you’re semi serious about becoming a steward, you can take a free class through them this Saturday morning (but the sign-up deadline is tomorrow!)
I’ve contacted 311 about 15 times over the past year to clean up that area. Nothing.
Is there a dumping/litter problem at that spot?
where exactly is this? we have an ‘issue’ with a neighbour who is somewhat of a car hoarder (hoarder in general I would say) anyway we found out that the city didn’t own the land he was parking his various vehicles on it was his so there was not much could be done..however the fact this looks to be a city installed sign would lead me to think this is not private land…
That’s a good point, Bernalite. I suspect this is city land, because of the sign you mention. Todd or daniel, would you be able to pinpoint this on a Google map?
Sure. This is straight out the gate at the end of Powahattan, at the corner of Franconia. Here’s the satellite view: http://bit.ly/pQcUcB
Sadly, “Dumping Prohibited” signs seem to encourage dumping more than discourage it- “well, clearly people have dumped here in the past, so….”
I had the same flashback, but maybe there was a 15 second version ’cause I didn’t remember all the canoe shots until I scrolled down & viewed the embed.
oh and look! if you pan down to the overlook of peralta at the lower end you can see my wonderful neighbours many, many vehicles all stacked up along the cliff edge! I am at a loss what to do re., that situation alas
Oh please, stop complaining. get off your asses and clean up the site yourself.
Indeed. I am planning on heading out there this Saturday (7/30) at 9:30am to do a quick rubbish clean-up, and to assess for further clean-ups, maybe some planting, and prettying-up.
Anyone would be most welcome to join me 🙂
It’s still cleaner than Market and Mission streets.
Thanks, Todd, for the inspiration. We headed over yesterday and did a quick clean up. It is by no means perfect, but it is a start. Here’s the photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/miajudkins/sets/72157627324141706/
Awesome!! Kudos to you!
Pingback: Cleaning up the “perhaps the ugliest spot in Bernal Heights” | Roar Roar Squeak Squeak
Also, a quick blog post to detail what we did: http://miajudkins.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/cleaning-up-the-perhaps-the-ugliest-spot-in-bernal-heights/