A photo from @StefStar showing the outlines of what was the Lands End labyrinth
We’ve heard some sad news from two readers this week that the rock labyrinth perched on the cliff above Mile Rock Beach at Lands End has been damaged.
Well, really, it was erased. The faded lines of the labyrinth can be seen, but all of the rocks have been removed.
Earlier this year, SFGate published a short documentary entitled “Keeper of the Lands End Labyrinth” about Colleen Yerge, who cares for the labyrinth in an unofficial capacity (we would embed it here but it’s behind the Chronicle’s paywall).
We don’t know if Colleen knows of the labyrinth’s latest status, but wow, how discouraging. Here’s hoping Colleen or another labyrinth lover restores it.
“One can think of labyrinths as symbolic of pilgrimage; people can walk the path, ascending toward salvation or enlightenment.” – Wikipedia
UPDATE: We heard from Colleen Yerge via email who had this to say about the recent destruction of the labyrinth:
“The labyrinth is there as a sign of peace, love and enlightenment for all. And especially for those that are suffering so much. So even when it is destroyed after I put over 40 hours of carrying rocks and assembling the piece, I still have compassion for whoever did it. Eduardo Aguillera the original artist who built the labyrinth told me to not put my whole heart and love into it, because it will be destroyed. I appreciate those words and it is a good reminder… I have continued to rebuild and I plan on rebuilding again but I am waiting to hear from the parks department. Last time I rebuilt was in April and only a handful of people came out to help, so I’m thrilled to see that there are more people that I can call upon when I do rebuild. I have received quite a few emails today from people who read your blog, and I will contact each one of them when I do rebuild. This little piece of land is so special and I appreciate if you would ask for others to wait to help me rebuild when the time is right. And to remind those to not get mad or angry at the people who vandalize it…after all, this little piece of land is bringing more and more community together with each time it does. It also is an incredibly great reminder to detach from our attachment to the space and reflect.”
Sarah B.
Colleen Yerge, known as the keeper of the Lands End Labyrinth,. Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle
The Lands End Labyrinth, maintained by Colleen Yerge, has been the target of vandalism several times since it was originally built in San Francisco in 2004.
Sad, I passed two pairs of hikers this morning looking for the labyrinth via photos on their smart phones and told/showed them the vandalism. We were all at a loss for words 🙁
Would love to help the rebuild. Please let me know how to connect to the effort.
I would also love to help with the re-build. It has always been a healing place for me.
I would love to help rebuild it and I am sure a lot of others would be in as well. Are efforts underway?
I’d also like to help with the rebuild. Thanks for finding the info if you can, Sarah.
me too! here to help 🙂 and i am sure i could find quite a few extra hands to help.
As a mud flat artist in the East Bay, creator of the LEGOJeep, and assistant for installations to Tyler Hoare and his Snoopy and Red Barron art works I would be happy to help with any rebuild. Your work is important and should be supported. Public art doesnt happen without community help.
I am honored to help rebuild.
More than willing to help
I would love to help in any way i can.
I would love to contribute and help rebuild the Labyrinth. Please feel free to email me when you decide.
This is terrible. Since no contact information was provided, what would be the best way to contact Colleen or someone to help rebuild the labyrinth whenever the time comes? Count me in.
Would love to help rebuild. Let us know of any efforts to do so.
If you’re interested in helping rebuild, please visit Colleen’s website – you can find her contact information there.
http://www.colleenyerge.com/
Colleen, whenever you’re ready for help, please count me in as well.
I would like to help rebuild as well.
I would also like to help rebuild. If anyone knows when that will happen, please post so we can all join together.
What a shame! I would like to help rebuild as well.
I’d love to help rebuild too. That was a beautiful part of Lands End and it needs to return.
I am so devastated by this. I am have held many healing workshops here as a certified labyrinth facilitator. I’m holding my 8 year old daughter as she cries with me. We are already collecting people to help rebuild! #Weshallovercome
Would love to help rebuild as well. Seems that something good may come of this
I would love to help rebuild the labyrinth, it is my favorite place to visit in the city and has always meant so much to me.
my daughter and I want to help when it’s time. we love this labrynth so much
carrying stones is just as good as the gym. Hope you contact me when it’s time to rebuild.
My friends and I would love to help. Please send us an email when the time comes. Looking forward to lending a helping hand.
Hope to help with the rebuild.
Add my name to the help-rebuild list. Thank you.
Add me to the rebuild list. I’ll bring friends.
Wow. I hate vandalism with a passion… and I also hate the phrase “first world problems”, but seriously – crying? “we shall overcome!”? I think there are a few people in Gaza, South Sudan or the warring parts of Ukraine – not to mention Ferguson, or the burnt-out communities in northern California, etc. – that might have something to say about your priorities.
I’m happy that so many people want to help. Does anyone know how this was vandalized? Where did all the rocks go? Thrown into the ocean?
I would like to help rebuild – how do I sign up?
Has anyone checked with the City to see if it was purposely removed? Seems peculiar that supposed ‘vandals” wound methodically move that many rocks in such an organized fashion. (I find myself agreeing with SierraJeff, as well.)
Lately, I’ve seen a lot more graffiti on the stair going down to the beach. A white tag on the tree was recently added and now the labyrinth is destroyed.
I would also love to help with the rebuild. Please let me know.
So saddened. BUT, on a hopeful note, almost everyone I have shared with would like to know when the rebuild could happen. Please let us know and I think the collective effort of carrying rocks would make a beautiful and strong statement about community, caring, and the love of art and beauty! Would you post a comment on potential dates? 🙂
Please contact me to help rebuild. I am a SF City Guide and Land’s End is my passion. Why would anyone want to destroy such beauty?
Sierrajeff said: .
Wow. I hate vandalism with a passion… and I also hate the phrase “first world problems”, but seriously – crying? “we shall overcome!”? I think there are a few people in Gaza, South Sudan or the warring parts of Ukraine – not to mention Ferguson, or the burnt-out communities in northern California, etc. – that might have something to say about your priorities.
To Sierrajeff:
How do you know what another person’s priorities are? There’s enough compassion and tears to go around for EVERYTHING. We can cry for a vandalized labyrinth (and all the hours that went into making it), as well as Cecil the lion in Africa, the dwindling elephant population, or whatever else touches us. Just because we admit online to crying for ONE thing doesn’t mean that we aren’t also crying for many other things.
I was just here last Monday, 8/24 and it looks like it’s been restored. There are some rocks, sparse, but not quite the glory of pictures above. Thank you to those who made it beautiful!
The response to rebuild is amazing. If I was nearer I would have jumped at the chance of supporting. Susan based in London.
I will fly there to help. My “builder sisters” from Chartres would probably consider this also. It’s all part of the journey to show commitment to rebirthing a labyrinth.
When my labyrinth was destroyed by a flood, I too was devastated, until someone sent me a video reminding me of the Buddhist tradition of making beautiful and intricate sand mandalas only to destroy them as a reminder of impermanence and detachment. Suddenly, I was free of suffering and just went about doing what Colleen is doing, regroup and rebuild. I love her attitude…..what good is a path of peace if we can include the river, or the vandals, or the park’s department, or whoever….in our hearts…..?