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$$PLAIN_TEXT_PREVIEW$$
CHARLES KEELER; MODELING THE SIMPLE LIFE
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With this article, we’re launching an occasional series of short biographical stories about the interesting individuals for whom some of Berkeley’s paths have been named. As each biography appears, we’ll post it on the BPWA blog so you can read about all of these folks as their bios accumulate. Is there a path named for someone you’re curious about? Let us know!
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Many who wander Berkeley’s paths are familiar with the name and work of Bernard Maybeck. Fewer know about his friend and colleague Charles Keeler. |
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OUR PATHS REPORT HAS BEEN UPDATED!
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In 2018, BPWA conducted a comprehensive survey of every Berkeley path and its condition. This “living document” was just revised in April 2024 to show more recent progress on path repairs and improvements. Now you can read that updated report for yourself! 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!
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THE POWER OF MATCHING GIFTS
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We are grateful for every contribution we receive from our community of BPWA donors! One of the most powerful tools for maximizing donations is the employer matching program. In 2023, we received $2,200.00—nearly 4% of our total—in donations from individuals and their company match contributions. This year we’ve already received $4,300.00—20% of our total to date—in such gifts. To increase the impact of your donation, first check to see if your employer offers a matching gift program—either through its website or via your HR department. Then submit your gift request and your employer will verify your donation before sending the matched gift to us. If using an online platform like Benevity or Network for Good, you’ll find a list of eligible organizations; choose Berkeley Partners for Parks. Then, in a note, comment, or memo, write BPWA. The generosity of our donors—and their employers—is making a big difference in BPWA’s ability to maintain Berkeley’s paths and make them safer for the whole community. Many thanks!
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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.
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When: Sunday, July 7, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Leader: Tamara Gurin Distance and elevation: about 6 miles, 1000 feet elevation gain Start/end: Hearst and Euclid Avenues at North Gate Accessibility: Dogs and children are welcome, but note that this route requires an above-average level of fitness. This fast-paced, strenuous hike will follow steep stairways and trails to a viewpoint on the fire trail. Bring extra layers, headlamps or flashlights, hiking poles, and water. There are no public restrooms on this route. READ MORE |
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When: Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. to noon-ish Leader: Janet Byron Distance and elevation: 4 miles; mostly city sidewalks with a half-dozen long stairway paths Start/end: Mandana Boulevard and Calmar Street, Oakland (map) Accessibility: Moderately difficult, with hills and lots of steps. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome. This moderately challenging walk traverses a historic neighborhood with beautifully landscaped homes, goes up and down a half-dozen or so steep public paths, and wanders on a trail through a community park. READ MORE |
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When: Sunday, July 21, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Leader: Alan Dixon Distance and elevation: 5 miles, 1,200-foot elevation gain Start/end: West Entrance to Codornices Park, at the intersection of Shattuck Avenue and Berryman Street Accessibility: Children who are fit walkers are welcome, but dogs would be a liability on this hike. There are three public restrooms, occasional water fountains, but no food, so bring snacks. Trekking poles are recommended for the 1,200 to 1,500 steps. Our route will loosely follow Codornices Creek to the crest of the Berkeley Hills and pass briefly through Tilden Park before returning to Codornices Park and the Berkeley Rose Garden. It includes a bit of everything: parks, streams, waterfalls, gardens, architecture, art, quirky kitsch, history, bay views, and old trolley stops. READ MORE |
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PATH MAINTENANCE WORK PARTIES
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Join us for a path maintenance work party—
this month, we’ve added an evening date!Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. to noon
Thursday, July 18, 10 a.m. to noon
Wednesday, July 24, 5:30 to 7:30 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. |
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Berkeley Path Wanderers Association
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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, July 18 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. |
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