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March 2025 A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS! From February 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, Berkeley Path Wanderers Association received more than $50,000 from 324 donors. Your generous donations made
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
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From February 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, Berkeley Path Wanderers Association received more than $50,000 from 324 donors. Your generous donations made it possible for us to repair steps and install handrails on four paths in 2024: we spent $71,698 installing handrails on Stoddard Path, Betty Olds Path, Tilden Path, and Shasta Path. 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 donations@berkeleypaths.org with any corrections.
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FEELING STRESSED? JOIN A BPWA WORK PARTY!
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“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. And in these uncertain times, it seems that local residents are turning to nature and community to ease their troubled minds. Last month, our biweekly work parties attracted up to 20 people each—nearly double the usual attendance. “When COVID hit, many turned to the paths as a respite and a connection to their community,” says BPWA work party leader Alina Constantinescu. “Last Sunday brought me back to that. The paths, and hanging out with like-minded people, was healing to me and to those who showed up.” Twice a month (usually), Alina and fellow work party leader Mary Ross Lynch lead groups of volunteers to weed, rake, and otherwise clean up Berkeley’s paths. The camaraderie is strong, the views are often spectacular, and the feeling of accomplishment is tangible. We’ve made a video that conveys the sense of fun and community of participating in a work party, and you can watch it here. Ready to join one of our monthly work parties? Scroll down to learn more about dates! We are also looking for more work party leaders! If you’re interested in joining our leadership team, please email us at path.maintenance@berkeleypaths.org.
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LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD PATH-BUILDERS
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Our awesome path-building team is looking for a few more members! The team currently meets twice weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m., but some weekends may be scheduled for those who work midweek. If you love to work with your hands, spend time outdoors, and collaborate with an awesome crew of interesting people, email us at path.building@berkeleypaths.org. We’ll give you all the training you need.
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BPWA SEEKS NEW BOARD MEMBER
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We’re also looking for a new path-lover to join our board and serve as our Emergency Service Coordinator! In the event of a local disaster, Berkeley’s paths will provide some escape routes and it’s critical that we stay fully engaged with the city to ensure their access. The coordinator role includes attending meetings with the City of Berkeley’s Public Works Department, the Berkeley Fire Department, the Disaster and Fire Safety Commission, and other disaster preparedness groups. If you have the experience and bandwidth to fulfill this position, please email us at info@berkeleypaths.org.
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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: Friday, March 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Leader: Alina Constantinescu Start/end: Solano Ave and The Alameda, Berkeley, CA (map) Distance/elevation gain: 3.5 miles at a moderate pace. Accessibility: Many stairs and some uneven trails. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome. Start your weekend off with a staircase sunset hike. Today's route packs 18 paths and 8 city parks in a 3.5-mile wandering loop through the North Berkeley hills. We'll go at a moderate pace to enjoy the views and the conversations. Bring water and a snack if you'd like. We'll return at the starting point shortly after sunset. Read More |
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When: Sunday, March 16 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Leader: Sandy Friedland Start/end: Sproul Hall, Berkeley, CA Distance: 2 miles Elevation gain: The route is paved with some gentle hills and a few streets to cross. Accessibility: This walk is limited to 20 children. No dogs, please. Signup: Please RSVP to Sandy at berkeleywalker@gmail.com by March 13 to reserve a spot. Include your child’s name and age. Sharp-eyed kids between the ages of four and eight will search for bears—plus a few other critters—on this walk through the "wilds" of the UC campus. The route has frequent stops, including one for refreshments. An adult must accompany every young walker. Older kids can play a different version of the game, more like a scavenger hunt. Rain cancels. Read More |
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When: Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Leader: John Ford Start/end: Live Oak Park Community Center at Shattuck and Berryman Distance/elevation gain: 10 miles, 2,100 feet Accessibility: Walk includes numerous staircases, so is not accessible for wheelchairs. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. We will take various paths up to the ridge line then continue north, zigzagging to pick up more paths toward the Kensington border, then work our way back. I hope we can maintain a brisk pace and finish in four hours. There are restrooms at the community center at the start, and we will pass another public restroom about a mile into the walk. Read More |
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When: Saturday, March 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Leader: Bob Johnson Start/end: Northwest corner of Shattuck Avenue and Eunice Street Distance/elevation gain: 2 miles, 500 feet Accessibility: Moderate fitness, not appropriate for wheelchairs due to steps and some steep sections. No restrooms. This area was developed in the early 20th century, when there was a failed plan to relocate the state capitol here. It features fine historic homes, gardens, street trees, and several interesting paths. There is some uphill exercise but we’ll take a moderate pace and make a few stops. All paths are paved. Well-behaved dogs on leash are allowed. Rain cancels. Read More |
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When: Sunday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to noon Leader: Rodney Paul Start/end: 41 Somerset Place, Berkeley Distance/elevation gain: 2 miles, 300 feet Accessibility: May not be ideally suited for children and dogs. The terrain includes some dirt paths that may be difficult for people using mobility devices. Moderate fitness necessary for an uphill segment through Hinkel Park. Signup: Due to the small size of several parks, we’re limiting the group to 25 people and are asking you to register for the walk. Millions of years before its first human inhabitants arrived, North Berkeley was strewn with fascinating rock formations. Today, the area includes a set of lovely parks where these remnants of its geologic past can be seen. Read More |
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PATH MAINTENANCE WORK PARTIES
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Join us for a path maintenance work party!Friday, March 7, 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 23, 10 a.m. to noon 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 will 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. 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 Coordinator Tamara Gurin or Jen English 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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