One of my favorite places in Sacramento is Capital Park downtown. Now I realize that it is certainly not even close to the amazing parks and botanical gardens found in bigger cities, but there is a lot of diversity and beauty if you like to wander outdoors.
Today I'm going to focus on a small art installation and the rose garden.
Across 15th Street are several buildings that house my fellow State workers. I used to work in this "East End Complex" and loved it because every break and lunch, we were out in the park. Walking, reading, or even sunbathing...the park is perfect for it.
It's been a good 10+ years since this art was placed with it's lovely view of the rose garden and capital building. It has definitely suffered at the hands of inconsiderate humans (what/who hasn't??).
There are many who consider this art a failure. And I get that argument. This is a really good article for that point of view.
But I still find it interesting and beautiful. Or maybe I just see it still through the good memories I had of when we first moved to the complex as it's brand-new, first-time occupants. But then again, I still try to see the beauty in everything so it may be that. And that's not a bad thing.
One thing I won't argue with is the uselessness of the path that was created when the project managers figured out that this uneven hill in the middle of the street was not easy to negotiate for anyone.
And don't even try to read the ones with writing. You can't. I don't think you ever really could. But I do like their interesting way of telling the story of some of Sacramento's history. You just have to be inspired to do a little research. :-)
This pathway of broken art leads to the "Zone of Transformation" which is a slightly futuristic-looking corridor with a golden sphere at the end. If you look closely, you can see that there is what looks like an old newspaper photo within the color of the walls and floor. The above article says it is scientist Edwin Hubble.
After the art funnels you out onto 15th Street, you can cross straightaway into the Capital Rose Garden.
Where you will find any different varieties of lovely roses. However, this rose garden does not seem to bloom year around. Although that could have changed; since I don't work downtown any more, I can't be sure.
Look at the flowers Lizzie.
This was always my mom's favorite color. She had a coral lipstick that she just loved to wear and she grew roses of this color in our front yard.
This is just a very small corner of the park. There are many, many kinds of trees since Sacramento is known as the City of Trees. And there are war memorials, a firefighter memorial, and a bazillion squirrels. And if you're into walking for exercise, the block around the Capital is exactly 1 mile!
Enjoy!
xoxo
