My very first day on the beat in the Tenderloin, I walked around for three hours, talked to people on the street, and paused at corners to watch the life of the neighborhood around me.
Yes, like people say, there are lots of homeless. And yes, I did witness a drug deal my very first day on the beat (right in front of a children’s park too). And the streets are dirty; very dirty with trash and urine.
But throughout my exploration, I found so much beauty. Like brightness in the dark. I met people that radiated positive energy. I saw walls and walls of colorful street art. And I stumbled upon the Tenderloin National Forest.
A couple of artists, always dismayed by the view of the dumpy Cohen alley from their window, decided do something. They turned that alley into the Tenderloin National Forest.
I felt like Alice in Wonderland as I curiously sauntered in. The place was quiet. It was surrounded by colorful murals. There were tall trees. The floor was a tiled mosaic. There were charming garden beds and metal troughs of swimming goldfish.
Walking to the very end of the alley, I circled back to find someone who knew what it this place was. That’s when I saw Joaquin just sitting there.
Joaquin was doing a story on the Tenderloin National Forest for NPR. He was glad to tell me about its history.
As I listened, I sat next to him, and took in the Tenderloin National Forest; gazing at all its features.
“People say it’s a breath of fresh air.”
This is awesome, a real diamond in the rough
Has the NPR story aired. I loved the immediacy of this story; we discover it along with you.
Just googled around for it. It doesn’t seem so. The only story I found was one for KALW done in November of last year.
Love the photo, where was the photo shot?