March News: In Like a Lion…

March 2024

Blowin’ in the Wind

Last month’s torrential rains and winds got the best of this old oak tree, which fell onto Billie Jean Walk near Euclid Avenue. Luckily, it happened late enough at night that no one was injured on the path and the property owners were able to have the tree removed early the next morning. A large dent was left in the owner’s wooden fence, but our BPWA handrails didn’t suffer major damage!

Thank you to all of our 2023 donors!

From February 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, Berkeley Path Wanderers Association received more than $56,000 from 300+ donors. Your generous donations made it possible for us to repair steps and install handrails on Acacia Steps, Atlas Path, and Lower Stevenson Path, and we plan to purchase and install handrails on two or three more paths this year. Our 100% all-volunteer organization could not do this without the support of our generous donors.

If you don’t see your donation listed or if we’ve misspelled your name, our apologies. Please write us at info@berkeleypaths.org with any corrections.

On Sale: Our Popular “Boot” T-Shirts!

Check out our shop on the BPWA webpage to find our popular “boot” design T-shirts on sale for $18! Charcoal gray in a blend of cotton, polyester, and rayon, they feature a light gray or spring green boot graphic on the front with our logo on the back. Sizes are limited.

Each purchase helps our mission to build and maintain our treasured pathways. Thanks for your support!

SEND US YOUR PATH STORIES

What’s your favorite path? Or what’s the most interesting thing that’s happened to you on one of Berkeley’s paths? Send us your story and we’ll run it in our newsletter with your byline! Please submit all content to info@berkeleypaths.org.

UPCOMING WALKS

Note: Heavy rain cancels; If rain is in the forecast, check the www.berkeleypaths.org website the day before to see if the walk is cancelled.

Mill Valley Ramble

When: Saturday, March 23, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Leaders: John Ford and Alex Krivoruchko

Distance and elevation: 5-6 miles on stairways and narrow dirt paths; you may want to bring hiking poles.

Start/end: Old Mill Park, the corner of Throckmorton and Cascade in Mill Valley (map)

Mill Valley has as many paths and stairways as Berkeley, possibly more. Alex, a lifelong resident of Mill Valley, will lead us on a sampling of the paths and a couple of fire roads. READ MORE

Staircase Sunset Hike

When: Sunday, March 24, 5:15 to 7:45 p.m.

Leader: Alina Constantinescu

Distance: About 3.5 miles

Start/end: Berkeley Rose Garden, 1200 Euclid Avenue (map)

Wrap up the weekend with a fun hike and sunset outing! We’ll start at the Rose Garden and check out Codornices Park, staying close to Codornices Creek. We’ll head up several trails and stairs, reach the appropriately named Hill Road, and then head back down, stopping for a sunset break on the way. READ MORE

Great Estates of Claremont-Rockridge

When: Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Leader: Ron Sipherd

Distance and elevation: 3 miles, 200 feet of elevation gain

Start/end: Claremont Avenue at The Uplands (opposite Star Market). Served by AC Transit line 79 (map).

Circa 1900, this scenic neighborhood boasted several imposing mansions with extensive grounds that belonged to some of the Bay Area’s wealthiest tycoons. We’ll discover what remains of these grand houses and try to imagine the splendor of bygone days. READ MORE

PATH MAINTENANCE WORK PARTIES

Join us for a path maintenance work party!

Tuesday, March 12, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Do you enjoy working with your hands and seeing tangible results of your efforts? Join us to clean up Berkeley’s paths—work that’s mostly weeding, sweeping, raking, and clipping. We’ll have gloves and tools available, but feel free to bring your own. Please also bring your own water, as we won't be offering water or refreshments. Please RSVP to receive an email confirming the meeting place by writing to Mary Lynch at path.maintenance@berkeleypaths.org.

HELP US KEEP THE PATHS SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE

In 2018, a cast of thousands — okay, about 80 volunteers — fanned out across Berkeley to walk every path and record its condition. BPWA collected the data into this status report. This “living document” was last revised in August 2022 to show more recent progress on path repairs and improvements. In the future, BPWA plans to conduct these comprehensive surveys every five years.

But we can’t be “everything everywhere all at once.” We rely on you, our surrounding community, to let us know if you spot a problem that needs to be fixed right away. If you see something, say something! You can submit your own report of path conditions to path.maintenance@berkeleypaths.org.

Many thanks for being our eyes and ears!

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association is a community organization of people who treasure the public pathways that crisscross our city. Learn more

The BPWA board generally meets monthly. Our next meeting is Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Guests are welcome! Please contact info@berkeleypaths.org for more information.

We always welcome new volunteers to lead walks on Berkeley’s paths. If interested, please contact Walks Co-Coordinators Tamara Gurin or Desmid Lyon at walks@berkeleypaths.org.

To support Berkeley's paths, you can donate online. All donations are tax-deductible and go toward building new paths, repairing and clearing existing paths, purchasing handrails, and advocating for paths and walkers.