Welcome new board members!
Read on to meet our six new board members, who were voted in at our annual meeting in November: Eileen Chen, Dhara Desai, Desmid Lyon, Lori Kohlstaedt, Kirsten Mickelwait, and Emma Morris.
Love Berkeley’s paths? Your donations help make them even better!
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.
A poetic path
On October 14, about 20 people gathered at the Berkeley Rose Garden to experience one of our most popular paths in a new way: listening to “graffiti poet” Leslie Reed read some of the 60+ original poems she’s inscribed on the “Running Fence” of Tamalpais Path. Reed has been writing on the redwood fence since 2019, transcribing verse that she channels from a higher source.
Two Davids repair aging El Mirador Path
David Kittams and David Gyorke, volunteers with Berkeley Path Wanderers Association, have completed critical repairs to the top section of El Mirador Path, under the guidance of Bob Gomez, path-building coordinator on the BPWA board.
Walkers awarded “I Walked Every Path in Berkeley in 2023” pins at 25th anniversary celebration
Twenty-two proud walkers completed our Every Path in Berkeley walk series and earned their “I Walked Every Path in Berkeley in 2023” pins. The 6-walk series covered 130 paths and 36 miles! The pins were awarded on August 6 at Live Oak Park, the finish line of the final walk, when the community met to celebrate the organization’s 25th anniversary.
City Proclamation Honors BPWA'S 25th
In recognition of 25 years of mapping, constructing, and maintaining the public stairs and pathways, the Berkeley City Council issued a proclamation recognizing the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association’s community volunteer effort.
New handrails for Stevenson Path
On June 28, Lower Stevenson Path between Keeler and Sterling avenues got a new, full set of handrails.
Volunteers give Jeronimus Alley a clear coat
Under the leadership of Jeff Anderson, the Jeronimus Alley mural is now complete. “Three protective clear coats were applied, and the mural looks much brighter and fresher now,” says board member Tamara Gurin, who spearheaded the mural project for Berkeley Path Wanderers Association.
Meet Board Member Angus Dunstan
I grew up in Scotland and the North of England, married a Californian, attended graduate school in Santa Barbara, and taught for 20 years at CSU Sacramento.
Meet Board Member Patty Callahan
When I first moved to Berkeley I lived around the corner from several paths where I walked regularly—Pine, Avalon, and Oak Knoll.
New Handrails on 2 Paths
We are proud to share that — with your donations — Berkeley Path Wanderers Association has purchased and installed new handrails for Acacia and Atlas paths! Atlas Path connects Hill Road and Grizzly Peak Boulevard, and Acacia Steps (pictured above) connects Cragmont Avenue and Spruce Street. Both are steep paths that benefit greatly from handrails.
Every Path in Berkeley: Our 25th anniversary celebration walk series
Explore every built-out path in Berkeley! As part of Berkeley Path Wanderers Association's celebration of its 25th anniversary, we will reprise the series of six walks created in 2014 by Jacob Lehmann Duke and Aviva Gerwein.
Handrails! Handrails! Handrails!
Berkeley Path Wanderers Association was able to purchase the two sets of handrails, which cost $43,100 with installation, due to the generosity of our members.
Patricia DeVito, co-founder of Berkeley Path Wanderers Association, passes away at age 89
“Pat was fundamental in shaping the early bylaws, including aspects like keeping the dues intentionally low to encourage membership, having term limits for board members to keep the leadership fresh, and a commitment to recruiting new volunteers,” said Jacque Ensign, one of four women co-founders of the the organization. “The result has kept the organization moving, always trying new things, and staying relevant in the community.”
A new mural for Jeronimus Alley
A new colorful mural greets visitors to Jeronimus Alley, a walkway at 5 1/2 Street in West Berkeley between Cedar and Camelia streets.
Neighbors adopt Pinnacle Path
The northeast Berkeley path between Regal Road and Poppy Lane features a beloved mosaic and community acoustic-music venue
2023 is our 25th anniversary: Please DONATE!
In 2022, we repaired 3 paths, worked closely with the city of Berkeley on path repairs, offered 34 walks, and more!
Rotten steps replaced on Cedar Path
BPWA's intrepid path-building team is currently finishing up much-needed repairs and realignment on Cedar Path
Meet board member Stephanie Bodoff, website coordinator
We asked Stephanie to answer 3 questions for our newsletter community.
25th anniversary T-shirt contest submissions and winner!
Marlene Tobias’s design—winding steps up a lush hillside—won our 25th anniversary T-shirt contest. We'll develop the design with her artwork center stage. We'll share the full design soon!