Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low near 55F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..
Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low near 55F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated: December 19, 2025 @ 7:30 pm
Editor,
I took a walk today along Centennial Way between Huntington and Spruce, perhaps just to say goodbye. It was a restful experience. The air was fresh, the rude noise of traffic and construction was hushed, the land was free and open. There were others there too, enjoying the peace and quiet.
Yet, they tell us this land is “underutilized” (“SSF Centennial Trail upgrade to add pump track” Oct. 7 edition of the Daily Journal). There are plans to bring in the bulldozers and install a pump jack, playground, picnic tables, lawns and “pet waste receptacles.”
Well, of course all free and open land is “underutilized,” isn’t it? But why do people visit such “underutilized” open spaces? To get away from the raucous noise of traffic and construction that is the backdrop of life for many residents of South City, myself included. But certain city officials are a solution looking for a problem, and the construction companies are very glad to take advantage of that.
Maybe some will say, well it’ll only take a year, according to the schedule. Since when did government and construction companies stick to their own schedules? Since the baseball field at Orange Park was torn apart years ago to construct a water treatment facility that still shows no sign of ending? Since the start of the bullet train?
Well OK, we still have the stretch of Centennial between Spruce and Orange, still free, open and “underutilized.” Until some day.
Clayton Rich
South San Francisco
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