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Sydney G Walton, Square, San Francisco

Entry Signs
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At the entry on Front Street between Jackson and Pacific was a sign identifying the park. Note that all the signs in the park spell Sydney with a Y, whereas Google Maps spells it with an I as Sidney. Both signs read:

Sydney G. Walton
Square

No skateboards, rollerskates, roller blades, motorcycles, bicycles, alcohol or pets allowed in the park.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 15:54:14 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #155414_7778BCX
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Colombo Market Arch
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Before this land became a park, it was part of a permanent market called Colombo Market. The Colombo Market Arch external link was preserved as one of the entries to Sydney G Walton Square. Colombo Market was a produce market popular in the 1940's and 1950's among Italian workers, farmers and immigrants, who went there to buy produce and common goods.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 15:53:28 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #155328_7775BCX
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North Side
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To the north side (left of the Colombo Arch) was an apartment complex. It occupied the block between the park and Broadway. The border between the park and the apartment complex was what used to be Pacific Avenue.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 15:53:36 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #155356_7777BCX
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Two Open Rectangles
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A sculpture called, "Two Open Rectangles Eccentric Variation VII, Triangle Section" 1977 internal link by sculptor George Rickey rose high over the park's northern side. This sculpture was one of the first things seen after walking through Colombo Arch. The two rectangular arms swung and rotated in a light wind coming off the Pacific Ocean.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 15:53:36 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #155450_7779BCX
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Pine Tree Obelisk
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To the right after walking in through Colombo Arch was another sculpture called "Pine Tree Obelisk" 1987 internal link by Joan Brown. It rose vertically from a knoll at the southwest corner of the park. It was well worth approaching closely to view its striking mosaic tile-work.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 15:55:58 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #155558_7784BCX
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East Side
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The east side of the park, as seen from the knoll with the Pine Tree Obelisk, faced Davis Street with its mature trees and small shops. Turn right at Davis street and it was five short blocks to the Embarcadero BART station. Directly opposite the knoll across the park was the "Four Seasons" sculpture.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 15:57:24 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #155724_7791BCX
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Sign Dedicated Park
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Half way across the park and directly in front of the stairs up into Embarcadero Center complex was a stone with a sign explaining why this park was named after Sydney G. Walton. The sign read:

Sydney G. Walton - 1901-1960
San Francisco business and cultural
leader whose inspiration and
leadership as a member of the
Board of the City and County of
San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
was vital in the formation of the
concept and development of the
Golden Gateway.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 15:57:34 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #155734_7792BCX
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Fountain of "Four Seasons"
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In the center of the eastern side of the park, near Davis Street, was a sculpture called the Fountain of "Four Seasons" 1962 internal link by François Stahly. This sculpture was the winner of the Golden Gateway Sculpture Competition in 1962. When the surrounding streets are quiet, such as on holidays or Sunday mornings, the contemplative nature of this fountain can be appreciated.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 15:57:58 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #155758_7794BCX
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South Side
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The south side of the park included stairs that led up and over Jackson Street and through a elevated condominium center to the Embarcadero Center a block further away. Either side of the stairs also provided street level access from Jackson Street.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:02:18 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #160218_7814BCX
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Davis Street
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One of two curved paths in from Davis Street. The two paths met a the Fountain of "Four Seasons" sculpture. This shot illustrates how well groomed this little park was.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:02:58 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #160258_7816BCX
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Amazing Sculptures
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The view from the southeast corner of the park. A statue called Portrait of Georgia O'Keeffe, Cast Bronze, 1982 internal link by Marisol Escobar was in the immediate foreground. Beyond that to the left was the Fountain of "Four Seasons" 1962 internal link by François Stahly. In the extreme background, just right of center, was the Big Heart On The Rock 1984 internal link sculpture by Jim Dine.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:04:32 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #160432_7827BCX
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Stairway
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A stairway led up out of the park. The platform at the top of the first set of stairs provided a nice overview of the park. Continuing up the second set of stairs would bring you to the Elevated condominium complex that was part of the Golden Gateway Center.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:04:52 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #160452_7829BCX
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Jackson Street Entry
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One of the two entries into the park from Jackson Street. Note that a parking garage behind this shot cast this block of Jackson street into continual shade.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:05:14 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #160514_7830BCX
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West Side
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The west side of the park as seen from the elevated platform at the top of the first stairway internal link out of the park. Note the back side of Colombo Arch and the presence of someone napping on the lawn.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:05:46 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #160546_7831BCX
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Northeast Corner
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The northeast corner of the park as seen from the very top of the stairway out. This vantage point was directly over Jackson Street. Note the presence of two other people asleep on the grass.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:07:08 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #160708_7835BCX
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Jackson Street Entry
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The same Jackson Street entry internal link as previously seen from street level. This shot was taken from atop the parking structure across Jackson street opposite the park.


Sydney G Walton Square   •  A San Francisco public park   •  Jackson and Front Streets, San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 25 September 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:07:26 Saturday 18 September 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #160726_7386BCX
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