Huntington Park

April 24, 9:52 PMSF Nob Hill ExaminerJane Kim

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The bells of the cathedral reverberated through the humid air as they told us it was four in the afternoon. A trail of tourists filed out to the steps and stared at the grandeur of the gothic architecture. Snap,snap snap; their cameras could be heard across the entire length of the block. But no bother, I saw their tour guide stretching her arm to some arbitrary destination to the left and they crawled away together as a swarm. A concourse of polo shirts and khakis.

These warm days are a rare treat in the City. So naturally, everybody knew to call out sick. Fellow Ra worshippers flock to the sea or to G.G. Park, but I have my own oasis at the top of a hill. It’s actually a granite watering hole that’s adorned with slick bronze youths and cascades of water spouting from turtles’ mouths.   You can often catch a sneaky dog take a lap from the fountain and then run back to join the others in a good round of butt-snuffling. Their owners are around doing their own kind of mingling.

Everyone is at ease in this convivial atmosphere. It’s almost pleasant enough not to notice those who are bold enough to attempt skimpy sunbathing. They are one type of whale that does not need saving. Don’t avert your eyes too soon because there are lubed up sirens sprinkled here and there within the mass of pale pink fleshpods. It makes it okay for you to be a pervert for a day and stare at people in their underwear. There’s ample shading around the courtyard for those of us who are a bit more modest.

Don’t feel like you need to leave your children at home because of dogs and exhibitionists. There’s a sandbox playground on the other side that is made mostly of plastic and minimal metal parts. A thousand times better those creaky battleships we used to play on; you know, the kind where you get splinters from the monkey bars? The kind that was fit only for Abe Lincoln?

All these activities were going on simultaneously but the sounds were muffled and the streets seemed further away. It might have to do with the air during these hot days or possibly because this nook is protected on all sides by extravagant structures. Huntington park resides in the midst of Grace Cathedral, a Masons’ building, several posh hotels, and the Pacific-Union Club.  A neighborhood that still clings on to its opulent heritage, but anyone is welcome to enjoy its niceties.