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March 2026 Addressing Stormwater Management for the Benefit of Public Paths and Homeowners Cheri Pearson In the Berkeley Hills, many streets lack adequate curbs and gutters. Stormwater flows down stre
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Cheri Pearson
In the Berkeley Hills, many streets lack adequate curbs and gutters. Stormwater flows down streets and paths, flooding driveways, homes, and yards. Runoff carries pollutants, including oil, fertilizers, and debris from tires that contain synthetic rubber and microplastics. Green stormwater features such as bioswales, rain gardens, and permeable pavement can slow and filter runoff. However, in steep hilly neighborhoods, curbs and gutters remain essential to direct water downhill and protect homes, streets, and public paths from erosion and structural damage. |
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A Long Overdue Thank You to
Berkeley Scout Troop 42
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Last summer, Berkeley Path Wanderers Association was contacted by a Scout from Berkeley Troop 42, a local all-girls troop. She was seeking a volunteer opportunity to help her achieve the Eagle Scout award, the highest award in Scouting. The association partnered with the troop to improve two paths. The work included erosion control utilizing gravel supplied by the City of Berkeley Public Works Department on Columbia Path and weed removal on lower Glendale Path. About 20 current and former Scouts volunteered on two Saturdays last August to support the project leader. Bob Gomez, our Path Building Liaison at the time, said he was impressed by their commitment. Gomez wrote in an email, “As the day wore on, a few of the Scouts worked into late afternoon until gravel was spread and compacted through the entire length of the path. Early on that first day I asked the leader how long they planned to work. Her answer: “Until we’re done.”’ Berkeley Path Wanderers Association invites troops to contact us about future volunteer opportunities. Our current Path Building Liaison is David Gyorke. Feel free to contact him at: path.building@berkeleypaths.org.
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Wanted - A Social Media Guru!
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Do you love to post on social media? Berkeley Path Wanderers Association is seeking an individual to serve on the board as a Social Media Specialist. The role involves posting our lead story, volunteer requests, scheduled walks, and work party dates on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about this board position, please email us at info@berkeleypaths.com.
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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 13, 2026 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Where: 899 The Alameda Berkeley, CA
Leader: Alina Constantinescu
Meeting Location Details: Bottom of Indian Rock Path at the NE corner of Solano Ave & The Alameda.
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation gain: 600 feet
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 wandering route takes us on ten paths and five very fun City parks. 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. Join us! Read more |
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When: Saturday, March 21, 2026 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Where: 6502 Broadway Terrace, Oakland, CA
Leader: Sharon Taylor
Distance: 3.25 miles
Elevation gain: 550 feet
Accessibility: 781 stairs and some very steep parts (up AND down) with no handrails, some poorly maintained streets and stairs, and one dirt path with no handrails (could be muddy depending on weather). Strenuous! Bring water. Bathrooms available at Lake Temescal start/end. No dogs. Explore Upper Upper Rockridge on this strenuous and fast-paced walk featuring “secret” stairs, murals, and an architectural mix of pre- and post- 1991 Oakland Firestorm homes. Read more |
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When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: 1781 Rose Street Berkeley, CA
Leaders: Rachael and Roopa
Distance: 5.0 miles, with an optional additional 1.2 miles.
Elevation gain: flat
Accessibility: Relatively flat, will walk at moderate pace. There is a coffee shop along the way with a restroom. No dogs on this walk. We will meet at Rose and Grant in front of Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, observe the murals there and then walk via the Northbrae neighborhood to the Ohlone Greenway where we will see native shrubs with their name tags, a large mural, and a couple of smaller paintings and murals. Read more |
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When: Saturday, April 11, 2026 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Alhambra Creek Staging Area
Leader: Alina Constantinescu
Meeting Location Details: Alhambra Creek Staging Area (Briones Regional Park) at the end of Brookwood Drive in Martinez. Parking at the meeting point is $3, if the parking kiosk is staffed. The drive from Berkeley is about 35 minutes. If you’d like to carpool, we suggest meeting for rides at the North Berkeley BART station (free parking on weekends). If you need a ride or if you would like to offer a ride, please email Alina.
Distance: 15 miles
Elevation gain: 2,300 ft.
Accessibility: Dogs on leash are permitted on the trails and at the lunch spot, but they can’t go inside John Muir’s house/museum if you decide to visit. This year’s ‘Long Walk’ explores the less-traveled trails of the John Muir Land Trust. If you haven’t been to this area of the East Bay, you are in for a treat! (And if you have been, some of the trails chosen for this hike, like the little known but marvelous Vaca Creek Trail, may be a first for you, too.) Read more |
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When: Sunday, April 19, 2026 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Where: 1170 The Alameda Berkeley, CA
Leader: Colleen Neff and Jen English
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation gain: minimal
Accessibility: Moderately paced, sidewalks only. Well behaved dogs on leash welcome. Bathrooms available at the start and end of the walk; possibly at a park on the route.
We will meet at the North Berkeley Library and walk from there at a moderate pace to stop and visit a number of charming Little Free Libraries and meet some of their owners. Bring a book or two to exchange for a treasure you might find. Read more |
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Path Maintenance Work Parties
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Join us for a path maintenance work party!Monday, March 2, 10 a.m. to noon
Saturday, March 7, 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 you are interested, please contact the BPWA Walks Coordinator 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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