Impressions of Sacramento -- Part 2

[days_unfolding]

I really admire the design of public spaces in Sacramento. I wish that the urban planners in Silicon Valley would visit Sacramento and take some notes.

I didn't want to go too far afield Saturday because I had to get back to the hotel before it became dark. However, I noticed a cute little park tucked into a corner right next to the freeway (I-5). There was a plaque to someone (the person after whom that portion of the freeway was named?), a couple of benches, and some lush trees and plants. It was about the size of my living room. (Unfortunately, it was getting too dark to take pictures.)

Near there, there was a pedestrian underpass leading to downtown. I hemmed and hawed and decided to see where it went.

And then I was really amazed. It had plants in the area under the open space between sides of the freeway. It had a parking area. It had murals on the walls. And music was broadcast. I have never encountered anything like it.

The underpass from the downtown side (taken on Sunday)

The area after you come out of the underpass is very pretty, with lots of trees:

The walk towards the plaza (from the downtown side)

And then you go under a gate labeled "To downtown" and enter a plaza:

The plaza ends at a shopping mall:

The overall effect is stunning.

To be continued....