There are many people we should be thankful for during these times — from health care workers to neighbors putting up decorations to bring a smile to families as they take a walk — almost too many to mention in a small column in a local newspaper. 

But as a resident of College View Estates, one of the things I am so thankful for is the gorgeous campus of SDSU next door. The folks who take care of the landscaping are truly doing a great job. At a time when walking outside alone or with a few family members is an important source of physical exercise and mental solace, the plants, trees, and flowers at SDSU are a source of joy.

We are lucky as residents of College View Estates to have access to such landscaping. I sometimes see other people from my community and nearby communities walk the grounds and I wonder if they notice the same things: the loquat tree laden with fruit by the Engineering building, the blooming African corral tree by Arts and Letters, and the flowerless rose bushes by Scripps Cottage that currently look like waves of thorns, but that I know will be blooming soon. It is easy to take this for granted, but the campus landscape is truly exceptional. 

On a related note, the City of San Diego recently offered free tree planting in front of people’s homes. I hope residents of College View Estates and nearby communities participate in this program to engage more with nature and its gifts. 

—Prashant Bharadwaj is president of the College View Estates Association.