Another rainy day at Koala Run Playground

An entire day of rain in Corning NY, a rarity this summer of 2011.

Koala Run Playground, a favorite topic of mine last fall, is across the river, across Denison Parkway, then uphill all the way to Carder Elementary School.


I've walked by this sign many times and today I finally read it. It points across Denison Parkway to the original site of the Corning Glass Works...



The original Corning Glass Works site (many, many years ago), now with a parking lot and new (2010/11) landscaping...




CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO SEE AN ENLARGED VERSION.



Climbing up State Street, I noticed the Florentia Lane sign. Between 3rd and 4th Streets. Two previous blog entries are about Florentia, but at the east end (where I started), it is almost at a level with the rest of the City of Corning. Here it is up a ways. When I mentioned the odd, interesting names of Corning's former alleys, I was told that about five years ago they were renamed for types of Carder Glass...



There it is ~ Koala Run Playground...



Volunteers digging in, lots of mulch to spread under the swing sets...



Wooden replica of Corning's clock tower...



A wooden replica of the Little Joe Tower...



These boots are made for mulching...



A family effort...



One last look and I have to say, it's looking good. Rain makes it all shiny and clean!



Did I mention: I now have a blister where the shovel rubbed against the inside of my thumb.

Walking back down the hill on Chestnut Street, one block over from State Street, I noticed there are still numerous brick sidewalks between 4th and 5th Streets with some rounding the corners on 4th. No pictures, alas, as there was too much rain to risk the camera.

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EAST TO WEST ON FLORENTIA LANE

My last blog entry told of discovering Florentia Lane, an “alley” turning off Steuben Street in the southeast sector of Corning.





If any of my readers have been to Lake Keuka (or other lakes for that matter) you’ll see the similarity of the long stairs heading up or down, depending on what side of the road the house is situated.



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Florentia Lane begins with smaller and older houses and gradually this narrow, pockmarked lane boasts of lovely larger homes...









One such home was guarded by two stone lions and a stone monkey. Getting a photo would require stepping onto their patio and facing back toward the lane. Hearing voices coming from an open door, I called out and engaged in conversation. Permission granted for photos, the one you see here and the one heading this entry. All three structures are made of lava from Bali, Indonesia.



A touch of blue, waiting to be gathered by City of Corning employees...


More color embellished a downside lot...




Boating anyone?



Omigosh, it’s an old Airstream. I’ve read about them and haven’t seen one in years...



An uphill climb, all the way!





A close-up of the lovely flowers in the yard of the previous house...



Love it! A pond on a hill in the middle of the city...



A hosta is just a hosta, until you pair it with huge above-ground tree roots...



One of the older, more ornate homes in Corning. Backyard shot includes electric wires. Be sure to click on the photo for a closer look at the various parts of the house...




Couldn’t resist this mishmash of trees, vines, poles and houses and the lines they create...



This walk ended at Cedar Street facing the house my brother and his family lived in many years ago. Brought back pleasant memories for my walk home.



Although my tour of Florentia Lane ended here, that’s not the end of the story. There are three or four more blocks to cover. Another day.


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Steuben Street and Florentia Lane

8:30 AM, a bus to the east end of Market Street. I’d walk, normally, but today I have a pile of books and dvds to return to the Southeast Steuben County Library.

Just before the bus stopped, I asked the driver if he notices anything noteworthy on his route, something I could use in this blog. He tells me about a tiny, narrow garden on Steuben Street. So, after depositing my books in the library’s outdoor return slot, I head down Tioga looking for Steuben.

Which brings us to the first photo (above). Dayspring Apartments. Interesting parking. Look close at the cars and the signs! (You can click on this, or any, photo for an enlarged version.)





Steuben runs north and south and I followed it up (south) to Florentia.

This was a fascinating walk that resulted in 147 photographs. Too many. Time to trim. I hope you’ll come back to see more pictures from this walk, maybe tomorrow.











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Round outdoor resting spot is such an interesting change from typical lawn furniture...






The Alternative School for Math and Science (ASMS) is growing in leaps and bounds. Adding on to the back of the school (the Denison Parkway side)...









I did a double take when I saw the upside down bike on an upstairs balcony...



Only half a block till Florentia Lane. See the turn on the right just up a ways?






Doesn't look like much, but you'll be surprised at what the next 4-5 blocks have to bring. Check back in a day or two...



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