Valentina Expressions

The area where Smiley Park is located today was a regular city park with islands of many perennial bushes, colorful seasonal flowers, trees and odoriferous eucalyptus. Before Smiley Park, I used to start my daily walk there enjoying the scent of eucalyptus and then went on to my walk of 4-5 miles around the rest of the park.
I was sad the day I saw the bulldozers tearing down trees and vegetation. As often happens here in California, city officials tear down things, parks, old buildings, statues and anything they deem not useful anymore to build in place new offices and parking garage buildings.

Instead, I was happily surprised to learn the city was building a colorful and playful animal park for kids. It took them a few years to build it, painting all the houses and making a joyful place for kids to play with the animals. Then Covid hit and was closed for two years. It was sad to see the animals alone, only the caretakers visited them and I had no more eucalyptus to smell.

This past weekend finally Smiley Park reopened. The world is alive again, the voices and laughter of the kids filled my heart. The sun was shining on the colored houses and cobblestones, the animals seemed happier, at least that was my perception.

In the fantasy world of kids, what is the reason to include the reality of adults? Here the park has included punishment institutions and public restraining officials. I would have done without them.

Then, there is Hollywood with the goats as performing actors (somehow it fits the bill) and the iconic Golden Gate. The “animals” living here need to experience crossing the bridge at least once.

In my fantasy, I was expecting to see in this gazebo a gentile type of animals, maybe some pink flamingoes….

The kids volunteering in the maintenance of Smiley Park painted these homes, cobblestones, fences and directional signs. The park looks cheerful, exactly what’s needed after two years of so-called “pandemic”.

Thursday Door Challenge organized by Dan Antion has become a pleasant appointment. Visit the group and learn about people through their doors. Dan published the first book of his “Dreamer’s Alliance” series. Ciao.
Valentina
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Valentina Cirasola is an interior-fashion consultant, author of 6 published books, a storyteller, and a blogger of many years. Her books are non-fictional practical ideas to apply in the home, fashion, cooking and travel.
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