EVENTS

Walks

Meetings

Berkeley events

Past Events

Past Walks and Events (2007)

Announcements for past walks and events that were held in 2007 are listed below.

Also please see 2006 events, 2005 events and 2004 events.

Selected handouts that were issued during past walks are now available.

Fall Saturday Walks:

October 20 -- Fall Harvest Walk

Jennifer English -- (510) 528-3246 -- Jen_english@yahoo.com

Visit some of Berkeley 's community and school gardens to observe the seasonal changes and see what fruits and vegetables are ready for fall harvesting. Flat, moderate pace. Meet at North Berkeley BART, just outside the gates.

November 17 -- Oakland Paths & Steps

Sandy Friedland and Ronna Benjamin -- (510) 655-5773 -- ssf@comcast.net

Sample some of the 100+ paths and stairways in Oakland , including the historic Cleveland Cascades, on this hilly walk through the Grand Lake and Trestle Glen neighborhoods. Meet at the entrance to the the Morcom Amphitheater of Roses, 700 Jean St , off Grand Ave. (Ace Hardware Garden Center is on the corner of Jean and Grand.)

December 1 -- Upper Claremont Walk

John Steere, President of Berkeley Partners for Parks -- (510) 849 1969 -- jtsteere@pbsj.com

Explore the unique trail system off Alvarado Rd including Sunset Path (the only path in Berkeley that connects only to other paths) and a secret public open space area off Vicente Road (with a magnificent view of the Bay). A brief history of the district and the paths including the effects of the Oakland Hills Fire will be woven into the walk. Meet at Peet’s Coffee on Domingo. Moderate rain cancels / light rain won’t.

Fall Wednesday Walks:

October 3 -- Kensington/North Berkeley Walk

Barbara West -- (510 )548-4831 -- bbwest@gmail.com

This hilly, but slow-paced walk explores the paths in the "Olde England " neighborhood of Kensington, where the curvy streets have names like Stratford , Avon , Camelot, and Coventry . The route includes nearby parts of North Berkeley that overlook a wild ravine. Meet in front of Semifreddi's Bakery, 372 Colusa Avenue , on Colusa Circle .

November 7 -- Rescuing the Rocks

Susan Schwartz -- (510) 848-9358 -- F5creeks@aol.com

Learn of the efforts to rescue Berkeley 's famous rock parks by cutting back encroaching ivy and protecting and re-establishing native vegetation. Walk leader Susan Schwartz, head of Friends of Five Creeks, will be joined by Berkeley Parks gardener Pam Boland. Meet at Grotto Rock Park on Santa Barbara Road just north of Indian Rock Ave.

December 5 -- Carquinez Bridge/Crockett Walk

Paul Grunland -- (510) 526- 8001

Walk the new Carquinez Bridge (Al Zampa Memorial Bridge) and explore the paths of Crockett. Meet at the new pedestrian path on the south end of the bridge. Take in the sweeping views while crossing the bridge and then head down into the small town
of Crockett for a tour of the town's informal paths. The walk will end at a small deli adjacent to a park where wanderers are free to enjoy an optional lunch together. There are also several opportunities for side trips to the sugar refinery and local
museum. Rain cancels this event.

Directions: Follow 80 toward Sacramento. Exit on Pomona St. in Crockett just before the bridge. The exit winds under the
freeway. Turn right at San Pablo Ave. Turn in at the Dead Fish Restaurant (the first building on the right, at 20050 San
Pablo Ave.) and park in their parking lot - the beginning of the pedestrian path.

Summer Events:

July 21-- Sibley Volcanic Regional Park

Ron Sipherd -- 510 549-2908

Learn about this unusual part of the East Bay Regional Parks District on a 3-mile walk. From Berkeley, take Grizzly Peak Blvd. south until it ends at Skyline. Take Skyline south a short way to park entrance where we will meet. See www.ebparks.org/parks/sibley.htm

August 18 -- Berkeley Parks Centennial – Park History Walk

Susan Schwartz -- 510 848-9358 -- F5creeks@aol.com

Leading up to the August 25 celebration of the centennial of Berkeley parks, we'll explore the history of several of Berkeley's nature parks and the role some of them played in history. Meet at Live Oak Park Recreation Center, 1201 Shattuck. Wear shoes comfortable for two hours of walking including hills and staircases. Bring water and a snack.

September 15 -- Bay Area Ridge Trail

Morris Older, Trail Chair, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, morrisolder@comcast.net

Meet at Skyline Gate in Redwood Park, just south of intersection of Grizzly Peak and Shepherd Canyon. Learn about the exciting history and future of the Ridge Trail in the East Bay during a 5.3-mile hike. Includes loops in Huckleberry and Redwood Parks and 2 ascents and descents of 2-300 ft. Hikers may choose first half only or longer or shorter loop in Redwood.

July 11-- New Life Millworks Tour/Bay Trail Walk in Richmond

Marilyn Siegel -- 510-708-6505; Paul Maheu -- 510-233-7785

Discover where the wooden steps used on Berkeley's paths are milled (See article on this page), followed by a walk on the nearby Bay Trail. From East Bay, take 580 west to Canal St. exit. Go right at end of ramp onto Canal St., which becomes Richmond Pkwy. Go approx. 3 mi. Turn left on Parr, take an immediate right on Garden Track Rd, which will jog left, then turn right when you see Cypress Pallet sign on fence. Go to end of road and someone will direct you to parking.

August 1 -- Lammas Day Walk

Alan Kaplan -- 510-526-7609

UCB architecture will be featured on Part 2 of a previous walk. Meet at the Northgate entrance to the campus, intersection of Hearst and Euclid Avenues.

September 5 -- Stone Pillars of Northbrae

Barbara Robben -- 510-524-2383

Meet in front of North Berkeley Library, on the Alameda near Hopkins St. Find as many of the 36 pillars in the area as possible while learning their history and present status.

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Spring Walks:

April 4   Spring Garden Walk

Barbara Robben   510 524-2383

Meet at No. Berkeley Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, near Hopkins St. for a level, easy-paced walk to view gardens, ending at Berkeley Horticultural Nursery.

May 2 Walk Inspired by 1932 Watercolor of Two Paths

Jacque Ensign   510 524-4715   jacqueensign@earthlink.net

Meet at Oakridge Path sign on south edge of John Muir School playground, on Claremont Ave., 1 blk south of Ashby. We will explore the area portrayed in a recently discovered 1932 watercolor by A. Burr. Some uphill but at moderate pace.

June 6 Exploring Upper Codornices

Susan Schwartz, president of Friends of Five Creeks

510 848 9358 F5creeks@aol.com

Discover the surprisingly complex upper Codornices Creek watershed and its history. Meet at Berkeley Rose Garden overlook, west side of Euclid Ave. This fairly vigorous walk includes climbing and descending new and old steps and passing through several parks. Susan will repeat this walk at 6:30 pm Mon., June 4 (co-sponsored with Friends of Five Creeks). The sunset walk should return by twilight, but a flashlight is a good idea. For both versions, wear shoes with good traction.

April 14    Spring Wildflower Walk – Marsh Creek Upper Watershed

Jim Hale 925 939-4304 To carpool, call 510 549-2908

Enjoy stunning views of Mt. Diablo and wildflowers on a 6-mile loop on trails and fire roads,   with 500’ elevation gain (intermediate level). We’ll finish about 2. Bring lunch, liquids. Unsuitable for dogs. Allow 40 min. from Berkeley to arrive for prompt departure.

Directions: (updated)

Take Hwy.13 to 24 to Walnut Creek. Take 680 So. to 580 East toward Livermore. Take North Livermore exit, go north on North Livermore Rd. to Manning Rd. Go left on Manning Rd. to Morgan Territory Rd. Go north on Morgan Territory Rd. to park entrance on your right.

May 19   Santa Fe Right of Way

Charlie Bowen   510 540-7223 Charlie_paths@comcast.net

The Santa Fe Right of Way is now open!

Join us on a level, 5-mile walk to discover art, gardens, creeks, and play areas along this historic rail route, from University Ave north to the lovely Baxter Creek restoration at the Richmond border. Meet at Strawberry Creek Park on Bancroft below Acton. We will return on BART from El Cerrito Del Norte ($1.40 fare). OK for wheelchairs and strollers, with short detour for 3-block dirt section.

June 23 Piedmont Centennial Walk

Ronna Benjamin and Sandy Friedland ssf@comcast.net

Meet in front of the monument at the edge of Piedmont Park, near the intersection of Highland and Magnolia. This hilly walk with stairways will highlight the history and lovely architecture of this 100-year-old, 1.8 sq. mile city.

January 20 -- Wildcat Canyon/Alvarado History Walk
Dave Zuckermann -- dzuckermann@ebparks.org

Step back in time to explore the historic Alvarado Park section of Wildcat Canyon, once known as Grand Canyon Park. We’ll stroll along the creek and see the 1930’s stonework that landed Alvarado in the National Registry of Historic Places and climb the hills to the ruins of the Belgum Sanitarium. This walk will cover 2.5 miles at a moderate pace, with a few steep hills. No dogs please. Bring snacks and drinks, and expect mud! Meet at the staging area off of Park Ave. in Richmond.

-- Directions: From Berkeley, follow Arlington Blvd. to its end. Turn left on McBryde Ave., right on Park Ave. and go 0.1 mile to the parking area on left. From Hwy 80 West, exit at McBryde Ave., turn left onto McBryde, and continue straight onto Park Ave., and proceed as above. From Hwy 80 East, exit at Amador/Solano Ave., turn left on Amador Ave., right on McBryde, and proceed as above.

February 7 -- Oakland’s Middle Harbor Shoreline
Susan Schwartz — 510 848-9358 — F5creeks@aol.com

Explore new parks and history at the Middle Harbor Shoreline in the heart of the Bay’s busiest port. Meet at restrooms adjacent to parking lot at 7th St. and Middle Harbor Rd. For driving directions go to www.ebparks.org and see map of Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. CORRECTION: The 13 bus from West Oakland, 12th St., or Lake Merritt BART does NOT go to the park on weekdays. The nearest stop is Oakland Army Base, about 0.6 miles away (see www.ACTransit.org for map.)

March 7 -- Architectural Tour of the U.C. Campus
Alan Kaplan — 510 526-7609

Learn about the Campanile, Agricultural Quad, Life Sciences Bldg, and much more. Meet at the entrance gate at Euclid and Hearst. Moderate pace with a few hills.