Dear Path Wanderer,

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association is going strong. 2023 was our 25th anniversary year, and we commemorated it in style! In addition to receiving a proclamation from the city council, we led a walk series traversing every path in Berkeley and hosted a celebration (below) at Live Oak Park for all of our friends and supporters.

Fittingly, the 10th edition of our best-selling Berkeley and Its Pathways map was published this year. With 50,000+ sold, our map has opened up the magical world of Berkeley paths to all and transformed Berkeley into a destination city for walkers, as well as providing potentially life-saving information on emergency escape routes for local hills-dwellers.

HOORAY FOR HANDRAILS!

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association uses your donations to directly improve paths; one way is by purchasing and installing handrails. Over the past year we’ve put handrails on Acacia (below), Atlas, Stephenson (lower), Glendale (middle), and Halkin (upper) paths.

But Berkeley’s paths require dozens more handrails, and at a cost of $15,000 to $25,000 each, upwards of $1 million is needed for handrails alone. With the City of Berkeley, we estimated that it will cost nearly $5 million to repair crumbling 100-year-old concrete steps; construct new concrete paths on public rights-of-way; and install much-needed handrails, lighting, signage, and pedestrian safety improvements.

Please consider making a tax-deductible, year-end donation in support of Berkeley’s paths! If you've donated in the last few years, you will be receiving a letter in the mail in the next few days; you can also always donate online. Donors of $250 or more are eligible to receive a limited-edition poster (shown below, on my wall) by Berkeley artist David Lance Goines, designed especially to support Berkeley’s paths (posters will be provided on request). Supplies are dwindling — get yours now!

Our small but mighty organization is 100% volunteer-run, and your support makes possible a range of activities and improvements that benefit our entire community. A huge THANK YOU to every single person who worked on a path; served on the board; reported path problems; attended a walk; emailed the city in support of more funding for paths; made a donation(s); purchased a map, bandana, or other BPWA swag; or simply enjoyed walking on Berkeley’s paths.

On a personal note, 2023 is my last year on the board. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve this wonderful organization! Please donate generously to help us continue to make Berkeley’s paths even better.

With gratitude, on behalf of the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association board,

Janet Byron
Outgoing President