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Where’s Glen Park Elementary? That’s easy

May 14, 2020 by Bonnee Waldstein

Like many San Franciscans, I’ve been taking the *golden opportunity* presented by the pandemic to do some exploring close to home. A good place to start was Bernal Heights park, which is nearby and which I’d surprisingly never visited before.

Armed with a map and walking tour directions (details below), my husband and I made our way up the Bernal Heights hill and caught the expansive view from 445 feet. As we circumnavigated the crest, I couldn’t help noticing what felt like a constant feature of the landscape when looking west: Glen Park School (aka The Big Blue School).

It seemed to pop out of the landscape with a distracting insistence. Obviously its bright blue color distinguished it, but weren’t there any other structures vying for my attention? Everything else seemed dull and gray from the distance (although golden Dolores Huerta Elementary ran a close second from certain vantage points).

After pondering the why of this visual, I began to appreciate the usefulness of the school in placing the Glen Park neighborhood in context with the surrounding areas, such as Diamond Heights, Twin Peaks and others.

Try finding Glen Park School in the slides below. Guaranteed, it’s there.

(Relevant personal aside: When we moved to Glen Park in the ’80s, the school was actually lavender. Over the years, the color underwent a change and gradually turned blue. When it was repainted, the same blue color was used. If any reader has a recollection of this, please leave a comment — my timeline is pretty vague. In an amazing coincidence, after moving in we painted our house lavender and the same phenomenon occurred. )

Recently on a neighborhood walk, this time on Everson Street, the imposing edifice of Glen Park School again hollered for attention, albeit from much closer in.

Glen Park School — it cannot be ignored.

A recommendation:  Urban Trails – San Francisco, by Alexandra Kenin, Chronicle Books, 2016.  This walking tour, called Bernal Beauty, also included Holly Park and the fascinating and lovely streets of Bernal Heights.

Filed Under: COVID-19, Editor's Pick, Featured, Neighborhood, Schools, Uncategorized Tagged With: Editor's Pick

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Upper Noe Neighbors Community Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Upper Noe Recreation Center auditorium
295 Day Street
Agenda


San Francisco Department of Public Works logoDPW Love Our City
District 8 Cleanup Day
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to afternoon
Learn more and sign up here


 

Logo Center for Creative Exploration

The Center for Creative Exploration
Explore all the Colors of the Rainbow
one-day workshop
Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
300 Chenery Street
Learn more and link to registration here


Weeding Party
June 21, 10 a.m. to noon
100 block of Arlington at Charles
Join neighbors on the North end of the Cut to keep down the weeds and beautify top to bottom. Tools, lunch and good company provided.


Monthly cleanup on the Greenway
First Saturday of the Month (usually)
Click here to learn more


Friends of Glen Canyon’s
Glen Canyon Habitat Restoration
Every third Saturday 9:30 a.m to noon
Sign up here

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Glen Park Rec Center

Glen Canyon Park sign
Click here for latest
Glen Park Rec Center
class schedule


Saturdays 3-4:45 p.m.
Questions? Call 415-239-4007


GP Movie Night Schedule

Renew Your Glen Park Association Membership for 2025

Join the Glen Park Association and help promote our community’s interests. Together, we can secure improvement funds, publicize neighborhood concerns and strive to speak as one voice on neighborhood and city issues.

Membership in the Glen Park Association is only $10 annually and can be purchased online.

Glen Park Association Advertising Sponsors

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GPA Ad- Perez Construction ad 6.27.22 v Glen Park
moroco
Center for Creative Exploration - adult
JE_Digital Small Space Ad
Diamond Heights Digital Ad
GPA Ad- Perez Construction ad 6.27.22 v Glen Park
moroco
Center for Creative Exploration - adult
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Glen Park Association is at San Francisco Public Library Glen Park Branch.
1 day ago
Glen Park Association

Photos and Fun courtesy of the Glen Park Library!
It was a great turnout at the Glen Park Library Open House on Saturday May 17th!

Thank you to all who attended and a big thank you to Glen Park Branch Library Manager Darren Heiber and his staff for a fantastic day!! 🙌🏽

San Francisco Public Library Arion Press | Artist Books Museum of Craft and Design Rafael Mandelman 🏳️‍🌈 #glenparklibrary #arionpress #museumofcraftanddesign #glenparksf #sanfrancisco #InCommunity
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Photos and Fun courtesy of the Glen Park Library! 
It was a great turnout at the Glen Park Library Open House on Saturday May 17th!

Thank you to all who attended and a big thank you to Glen Park Branch Library Manager Darren Heiber and his staff for a fantastic day!! 🙌🏽

@sfpubliclibrary @arionpress @museumofcraftanddesign @rafaelmandelmand8 #glenparklibrary #arionpress #museumofcraftanddesign #glenparksf #sanfrancisco #incommunity
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Glen Park Association is at Glen Park Recreation Center.
2 days ago
Glen Park Association

Qi Gong & Tai Chi Thursdays at the Glen Park Rec Center!

Thursdays 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Room #1
Led by led by Ashima Sarin

Beginners and All Levels of Mobility Are Welcome! It’s FREE and drop-in!

(There will be no class the second half of June and July)

📍Glen Park Rec Center, 70 Elk Street

QUESTIONS? CALL 415-239-4007
... See MoreSee Less

Qi Gong & Tai Chi Thursdays at the Glen Park Rec Center!

Thursdays  2:00PM - 2:45PM 
Room #1
Led by led by Ashima Sarin

Beginners and All Levels of Mobility Are Welcome! It’s FREE and drop-in! 

(There will be no class the second half of June and July)

📍Glen Park Rec Center, 70 Elk Street 

QUESTIONS? CALL 415-239-4007
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Blog Roll

Coyote Yipps
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center
Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project
Open SF History
Sunnyside Conservatory
Sunnyside History
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Tramps of San Francisco
Upper Noe Neighbors

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