Good Times In The Western Addition

It’s become customary for me to walk up and down Geary Boulevard at least once a week while covering my beat.

I find myself lingering near the Hamilton Recreation Center on the boulevard, one block off from Divisadero Street, when lunchtime is near or a break from trekking around is needed.

Geary and Divisadero are busy city streets that intersect in creating a central destination for Western Addition locals and city dwellers alike.

On warm, sunny days, all types of people find their way to Hamilton and its surrounding parks because of their lush greenery and ample space for athletic activities.

I sat down on a large, oval boulder at Kimbell Park, across the street from the Hamilton center, due to the fact that no park benches or picnic tables were if vacancy. It seemed as though most locals were lucky enough to have a day off during the recent heat weave brought forth by our October Indian summer.

The enclosed field at Kimball is large enough for multiple games of soccer to go on at once. On the left side of the park, near Steiner Street, a team comprised of local students entertained themselves on their day off by playing a game in their bathing suits. To the right, a few elderly men, who reminded me of my father and his soccer aficionado friends back home, enjoyed a friendly game of their own.

Across from the field, under the overpass walkways that hover over Geary, squatters seek refuge in the shade, keeping to themselves.

It seemed as though many of the adults were on this side of the park, whereas most of the children were across the street at the center.

A mural featuring local famous musicians, including Etta James, covers the exterior of the Hamilton center.

The Hamilton Recreation Center and Park recently finished renovations that took about seven years of fundraising and reconstruction.  According to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, over $17 million was needed in order to bring the center up to date with a new pool, playground and athletic supplies.

Even on cold days, several children can be seen crawling around the newly built playground right in front of the center. Meanwhile, their parents can be found lined up against the chain link fence bordering the play area.

Although my first impressions had me thinking that the center was entirely for children, there are several events hosted in and around Hamilton that are geared towards families and retired persons.

The center offers a class for families to learn about African American culture in the Western Addition. What’s fun about this class, especially for kids, is that you get to work with new and vintage photographs from the community to make collages and artwork.

What community center would be complete without bingo? Yes, Hamilton is home to a once a week bingo night, geared towards senior citizens, but of course open to all. I don’t know if I’ll find myself participating in bingo anytime soon, but it’s nice to know that I’ve got the option to hang around a welcoming crowd of Western Additioners just looking to have a good time.