Positively 4th Street

Google "Positively 4th Street" and it won't take you to Southside Park. But it should.

Dylan wrote it back in 1965 when 4th Street was as grim as his lyrics. With a community garden, Baptist Church, Mosque and Vallejo's Mexican restaurant in the four short blocks 4th traverses Southside Park, today it is just what the title says: positive.

Our Neighborhood is Growing

The old saying is true, "They're not making land anymore." So folks in Southside Park appear to making the most of what land the neighborhood has.

Here are some brand new alley houses.

1/2 block from the park is a great location for our new neighbors. It's just a short walk for them to cool off in the pool, opening Saturday!

Pool Party Preparation

At last! Our pool is getting ready to see some action tomorrow night.

Anthony, the new pool manager, is doing a thorough job of cleaning and getting rid of wasps!

Bring your friends tomorrow night for the first swim since 2010.

Street-side Secret Garden

It's quite a trick to have a secret garden right next to a public sidewalk. Walking past the hedge that shelters this house from the street you'd never know that their entire front yard is a robust vegetable garden.

Later in the summer it will be fun to see how their garden grows.

Animal Art

Saturday was a big day for animal art at 12th and S. It was the unveiling of Cabron's mural at Born Free USA's headquarters...

... while across the street was a sale of primate art at Patris' art studio.

The primates got the last showing at this space. Sadly for Southside Park, it looks like our loss will be Oak Park's gain.

Tennis Anyone? Repurposed Playing Space

Life in Southside Park never ceases to surprise me. On a Friday night back in January I came upon a 10 PM cricket game in our tennis courts.

Last night it was Bicycle Polo:

They even had spectators! With chairs!

One more surprise in the 'hood.