Why do you live in the Downtown/Southside Park/R Street Corridor/Richmond Grove area? What are the great things about it? Is there anything that you wish were different?

One of the main reasons I love Downtown is the easy access to other interesting neighborhoods and events.  Here’s a sampling of activities and events from the past month that I could walk to or ride my bike to:

Chalk it Up

Friday Night Concerts at Caesar Chavez Parkmovies at Southside Park

Andy Warhol's Athlete Portraits Star at The Crocker Art Museum

Several farmer’s markets (Cesar Chavez Plaza, Fremont Park, Roosevelt Park & under the freeway at X and 3rd)

Gold Rush Days in Old Town

San Francisco Mime Troupe performing in Southside Park

Second Saturday Art Walk

…..and more

I spoke with a cross-section of neighbors and residents to answer this question- “Why do you love this area?” and felt a deeper sense of connection with my community from having done so. I hope you will post the reasons you like living in our community and subsequently feel more connected, as well.

Several people mentioned the easy access to work especially if you work for a state agency, as many are within a short walking distance! And if you do want to drive somewhere, all the freeways come together right in or close to our neighborhood.

Ben , a state employee who does walk to work, noted the gem of Southside Park itself- the fully accessible playground for children of all abilities, the pool and community center, the pond, the popular walking track, the horseshoe pit, and picnic tables. He commented that it is not only used by locals, but many families often take advantage of this park on the weekends- after attending religious services in the area or dividing up while one parent does the shopping on Sundays at the market and the other entertains the children on the playground.

One 17-year resident of Southside Park, Liz, a mother of two teens, loves “living downtown for a lot of reasons. I like the idea that if my car isn't available, I can walk to whatever I need-the corner store for a coke, or to a drugstore or Target for some necessity. Or I can decide to go to the movies without paying for parking. I like feeling that I'm where the action is, even though I live in a fairly quiet neighborhood. I never know when I'm going to go for a walk in the park and there'll be some sort of celebration going on. People come to my neighborhood as a destination. I don't have to go looking for interesting things far away. I also like that there are people who've lived here for a long time and there's a sense of history here, not just random people who've been plunked down in the midst of a development.”

The bikeability and walkability of the Downtown area lets Christina,  a vibrant, enthusiastic woman in her 30’s, lead a rich life. “I love the (energy) present on the street when going from one place to another- people from different backgrounds and cultures are all over. Differently abled people, different races and (as a disabled person) I’m not stuck in my apartment alone and isolated. I go shopping, run errands and live a good life.” likemany Bay Area transpolants, Christina had "...fear moving from SF to Sacramento,"but quickly learned it was accessible, especially with her specialized bike.  And when she shared with me, I felt increedibly touched her preference for living here, rather than anywhere else: “I don’t feel different. I feel accepted." 

But if you were to ask her what she DOESN’T like, she mentions the derth of restauarants and cafes in our area. 

Which leads to an article or posting many people would like to discuss….one I hope YOU would consider posting on...why are there so few eating establishments in our area?

** Don’t see articles that interest you? Have a burning topic that you’d like to start discussion on? No professional writing experience needed! Contact Community Editor Jennifer Savin at jennifer@sacramentopress.com