September 2024 JOIN US AT THE SOLANO STROLL! The ever-popular Solano Stroll is coming up on September 8th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be sure to stop by BPWA’s booth, located on the north side of the stree
Berkeley Path Wanderers Association

September 2024

JOIN US AT THE SOLANO STROLL!

The ever-popular Solano Stroll is coming up on September 8th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Be sure to stop by BPWA’s booth, located on the north side of the street just east of Ensenada Avenue. We’ll have lots of fun merchandise for sale, including our 10th edition map, 25th anniversary T-shirt, and more. Come say hello, and share your path stories with us!

SEPTEMBER 21
BPWA’S ANNUAL MEETING + 2024 PATH-A-THON

Join us on Saturday, September 21st, for our 2024 Path-a-thon and Annual Meeting at Live Oak Park!  BPWA leaders will lead three walks of various lengths and difficulties that all start and end at the lovely, shaded park. Choose the route that best fits your ability and interest, then join us back at Live Oak Park around noon for the Annual Meeting.

The Path-a-thon walks are: 

  • Short Path-a-thon Walk: From Live Oak to the Rose Garden (1.5 miles) 

  • From Live Oak to Grizzly Peak and back (3.6 miles) 

  • Parks, Stairs, and Handrails! (6 miles) 

(Scroll down to Upcoming Walks to read more about these routes.)

Whether you spend the morning walking or not, ALL ARE WELCOME for the 2024 Annual Meeting at the picnic area between Walnut and Oxford streets (near the Berkeley Art Center). 

Starting at noon, the Annual Meeting will include a short program to highlight our walks and path activities over the past year, as well as our goals for the future. Afterward, join us for light refreshments. We’ll also have maps and swag for sale!

We look forward to seeing you there!

COUNCILMEMBER SUSAN WENGRAF TO STEP DOWN

After four terms in City Hall representing the Berkeley hills, Councilmember Susan Wengraf recently announced her plans to step down at the end of her term next year. She’s been the council’s most prominent voice for issues affecting residents of the Berkeley hills, particularly wildfire safety. Prior to her election to the City Council in 2008, she worked for 16 years as a legislative aide to former Councilmember Betty Olds. In addition, she served for many years on the Berkeley Planning Commission.

In an interview with Berkeleyside, Wengraf said, “It’s time to give someone else a chance. I’ve been doing this for a very long time and part of me would like to continue, but part of me thinks it’s time to move over.”

Wengraf has been a particular friend of the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association. “Susan continued in the footsteps of her predecessor, Betty Olds, in giving unwavering support to our organization,” says BPWA Past President Colleen Neff. “During her tenure, the historic public stairways and paths have been further woven into the fabric of our city for the use and benefit of all. We’re so grateful to Susan for all of her hard work on our behalf.”

WE’RE CURRENTLY SEEKING A NEW TREASURER

BPWA has a new opening on its board for a treasurer. We’re seeking someone to handle financial reports, prepare checks for deposit, collect online sales and donation figures, and prepare reimbursement check requests. If you have such skills, come join our lively organization to make a difference for Berkeley’s paths! Email info@berkeleypaths.org for more information.

LOVE BERKELEY’S PATHS? SHOW YOUR LOVE!

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Berkeley Path Wanderers Association is going strong—so far this year, we’ve begun work on new handrails for seven paths! Among the ways we use your donations to directly improve paths is by purchasing and installing handrails, which cost $15,000 to $25,000 per path. 

Fully 100% of your tax-deductible donation will be used to maintain and improve Berkeley’s paths. If you’ve donated in the past few years, you’ll receive a letter in the mail, or you can always donate online at www.berkeleypaths.org/donate. Donors of $250 or more are eligible to receive a limited-edition poster by Berkeley artist David Lance Goines, (posters will be provided on request). Supplies are dwindling — get yours now!

 DONATE NOW! 

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.

Long Path-a-thon Walk: Parks, Stairs, and Handrails!

When: Saturday, September 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Leader: John Ford 

Distance and elevation: 6 miles, 24 paths

Start/end: BPWA Annual Meeting at Live Oak Park picnic area between Walnut and Oxford Streets

Accessibility: Steep sidewalks and staircases. Most, but not all, of the paths on this walk have handrails. Well-behaved dogs on leash permitted.

The longest option of the Path-a-thon takes us up, up, up to Grizzly Peak Blvd., then across Marin Ave. and down toward the Thousand Oaks neighborhood. From there, we’ll loop back to the Marin Circle fountain and to the starting point at Live Oak Park. Along the way, we'll check out no less than 24 paths and many parks including Remillard, Dorothy Bolte, John Hinkel, and Great Stoneface. READ MORE

Medium Path-a-thon Walk: From Live Oak Park to Grizzly Peak and Back

When: Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Leader: Signe Burns and Johan Dowdy

Distance: 3.6 miles, 13 paths

Start/end: BPWA Annual Meeting at Live Oak Park picnic area between Walnut and Oxford Streets

Accessibility: Steep sidewalks and staircases. Most, but not all, of the paths on this walk have handrails. Well-behaved dogs on leash permitted. 

This loop walk heads straight up toward Grizzly Peak Blvd. and explores the hills via paths that have recently been outfitted with handrails, such as Atlas and Tilden Paths. Along the way, we'll encounter beautiful vistas, impressive homes, and fun gardens. READ MORE

Short Path-a-thon Walk: From Live Oak to the Rose Garden

When: Saturday, September 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Leader: Alina Constantinescu

Distance: 1.5 miles, 3 paths

Start/end: BPWA Annual Meeting at Live Oak Park picnic area between Walnut and Oxford Streets

Accessibility: Steep sidewalks and staircases. Most, but not all, of the stairs on this walk have handrails. Well-behaved dogs on leash permitted on the walk, but will need to sit out the Rose Garden.

This relatively short loop heads up to Euclid Avenue and the Rose Garden. We'll spend a few moments taking in the views and exploring the garden before heading back to the starting point. Depending on the group, we may also detour to two nice segments of Oak Street Path, one with handrails, one without. READ MORE

PATH MAINTENANCE WORK PARTIES

Join us for a path maintenance work party!

Friday, September 6, 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.

 

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 on Thursday, September 8, 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 Coordinator Tamara Gurin 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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Berkeley Path Wanderers Association, 1442 Walnut St Box 269 , Berkeley, CA 94709, USA

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