San Francisco Recycled in Miniature (with Trains)

photos by Todd Lappin

Though it’s been open since mid-November, I finally made my way to San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park last weekend to see the The 2nd Annual Golden Gate Express Garden Railway, a giant model railroad that winds its way through a lush landscape of miniature gardens and famous San Francisco buildings — all of which are fabricated from recycled materials:

From Ghirardelli Square to the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower to Chinatown’s dragon gate, replicas of San Francisco’s most famous places have been creatively crafted from recycled and repurposed materials. Corks, wine boxes, cheese graters, cutlery and more come together to make San Francisco’s gourmet haven, the Ferry Building, and the towering Transamerica Pyramid is studded with over 600 computer keys. Debuting this year are eight new landmarks, including San Francisco’s City Hall, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Castro Theater and more.

It’s good, clean fun for kids of all ages — independent of the fact that the Conservatory of Flowers is so fabulous unto itself. The Golden Gate Express Garden Railway will be on display until April 18, 2010.