People and Paths blog
Welcome new board members
We are excited to introduce two new members of the BPWA board. Bryan Haggerty will serve as social media coordinator, while Steve McConnell takes over as web services administrator.
BPWA at the Solano Stroll
The Solano Stroll was a resounding success! Solano Avenue was full of happy families, bands, dancers and more. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the BPWA booth to connect with us and share your path stories.
Rocking and Rolling to the Finish on Upper Columbia Path
In our February blog post, we covered efforts to improve stormwater management for the benefit of public paths. Since then, our path building team has been hard at work improving Upper Columbia Path.
Berkeley paths may not be the answer; early evacuation is key during wildfires
For many years, the Berkeley paths were considered possible wildfire evacuation routes. Given Berkeley's steep hills and narrow roads, the paths may appear to be a viable option. However, residents fleeing on foot could be exposed to intense heat, heavy smoke, hazardous gases, and traffic collisions at road crossings. Depending on how a fire spreads, evacuees could encounter impassable areas or become trapped or overtaken by flames.
That is why, in a recent interview with BPWA, Berkeley Fire Chief Dave Sprague said, "We are moving away from the idea that we are recommending people evacuate on foot after a fire ignition.”
From Software Engineer to Tour Guide - Rodney Paul Leads the Way!
At BPWA, we have outstanding walk leaders, including Rodney Paul. A former software engineer, Rodney long dreamed of becoming a tour guide. He enjoys public speaking and was inspired by the captivating guides he encountered during his travels.
Walk Leader Sandy Friedland Sings the Praises of the Berkeley Paths
We are fortunate at Berkeley Path Wanderers Association to have wonderful walk leaders who volunteer their time to lead groups on path adventures. It takes time to create a walking event, from planning the route to deciding what to talk about along the way. This month, we would like to highlight one of our longtime walk leaders, Sandy Friedland.
Celebrate Earth Day on a Pathway
The theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Our Power, Our Planet.” It is a reminder that we are not powerless. We can make meaningful decisions through daily actions, both individually and collectively. Over time, these actions can become environmental habits. They can be as simple as picking up litter on a pathway or hosting a conversation about a local environmental challenge.
Addressing Stormwater Management for the Benefit of Public Paths and Homeowners
In the Berkeley Hills, many streets do not have sufficient gutters or curbs. Stormwater flows down streets, hills, and paths. It floods neighbors’ driveways, homes, and yards. The runoff carries pollutants, such as oil, pesticides, fertilizers, and debris from car tires that contain synthetic rubber, microplastics, and chemicals.
Curb and gutters are essential for protecting homes and public paths from stormwater damage. They divert stormwater, preventing soil erosion and contamination. Soil erosion affects the structural foundations of homes, sidewalks, and paths.
We LOVE the Paths!
February is American Heart Month, a great opportunity to highlight five reasons we love the paths!
Two New Members Join Our Board
We always love welcoming new members of the BPWA community to our circle, and we’re happy to introduce David Gyorke as our as our new Path Building Liaison and Cheri Pearson as our new Newsletter Editor!
Taking the Scenic Route with Janet Byron & Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson and Janet Byron share a passion for taking the scenic route — a passion they share with others by leading and promoting walking tours of Berkeley. They co-authored a guidebook — Berkeley Walks — which is now in its third edition and celebrating 10 years in print. It’s published by Heyday and available at local bookstores and from the authors.
Turkeys Trot the Trails
This month, as the weather becomes cooler and the leaves drift to the ground, it’s a perfect time to escape the city streets and take a walk along some of Berkeley’s much-loved paths. You might even encounter some of our urban wild turkey flock, frequently spotted across the Berkeley landscape.
Finding Ways: Meet the Neighbors Who Keep Up Berkeley's Historic Foot Paths
If you’ve walked anywhere in the Berkeley hills, chances are you’ve walked up and down the many foot paths and stairs that criss-cross our winding streets. There are about 140 of these paths in Berkeley, mostly in the hills, a legacy of the city’s early development.
More than three dozen of them were built or improved by the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association, an all-volunteer neighborhood group that has worked with the city since 1998 to build, improve, and maintain the entire network of paths.
Meet the BPWA Team
For many, Berkeley’s 136 paths and stairways are a local resource and historical treasure that seem to be maintained and improved by an invisible hand. Overgrown paths are magically weeded overnight. Decaying steps replaced after decades of wear. Much-needed handrails appear out of nowhere. Group walks are organized.
In fact, all these benefits are planned and executed by a hardworking team of BPWA board members working quietly behind the scenes.
Betty Olds: A Beloved Activist
When, in 2008, Betty Olds retired from serving District 6 on the Berkeley City Council after 16 years, the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that the council “will lose its crankiest, wittiest, and often most rational member.” Six years later, the path that connects Sterling and Whitaker avenues in North Berkeley (previously known as Twain Path, #68 on the BPWA map) was renamed the Betty Olds Path in her honor. The children’s room at the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library also bears her name.
Scott Newhall: Legendary Editor and Adventurer
On the easternmost edge of Berkeley, close to the border with Tilden Park, wanderers will find Scott Newhall Path following the contour of Hill Road. To younger walkers, this name will probably mean nothing. But to anyone who was living in the Bay Area in the ‘60s and ‘70s, it will ring a deeply familiar bell.
Good News for Kensington's Paths
Like Berkeley, the Kensington community just to the north has a set of walking paths, created when the area was subdivided in 1910. But while Berkeley’s paths are owned by the city, due to an historic anomaly Kensington’s paths are not officially publicly owned.
Rose Walk: The Jewel in the Crown
Berkeley’s paths and stairways take walkers along some of the city’s prettiest neighborhoods and streets. But there’s one that might well surpass all the others in terms of history and architectural interest: If you’re looking for a path to share with visitors to demonstrate the richness of Berkeley’s culture, look no further than Rose Walk.
Thank You, Path Builders!
As you walk or hike along Berkeley’s paths, consider the terrain: if you’re using concrete steps or walkways, they were probably part of the path’s original construction. If you see wooden steps, however, it’s likely that the pathway has been built by BPWA’s devoted path-building crew, which has worked for more than 20 years to bring Berkeley’s paths to a high level of safety.
Jane Andersen: Structural Engineer and Passionate Path-Lover
On December 28, BPWA lost a beloved and valued member of our community. Jane Andersen, a licensed structural engineer, joined our board in July 2022 as the Emergency Services Coordinator. She also participated in coordination meetings with the city engineer, where her extensive engineering expertise and collaborative spirit were invaluable.