BPWA has been busy his year building trails and getting maps out about them….July saw the arrival of a revised 3rd edition of BPWA’s map of Berkeley Pathways, after 12,000 copies of the previous edition had been sold. Due to BPWA efforts, the City of Berkeley won a grant from FEMA for fire-prevention work that went in part to build a stairway over a steep drop-off section of Glendale Path, which, like many of the paths, could be crucial for emergency access during a disaster. The Pathwanders continued to make progress on building several of the unimproved paths with the help of community and student volunteers. Call Charlie Bowen of BPWA at 540-7223 to find out how you can plug in.
Santa Fe Right of Way: South of University
With the recent dedication of the Santa Fe Right of Way (SF ROW) trail north of University, the time is ripe to complete the last 8-block segment of it to the south. BPFP has been a major advocate for this key open space for years. Now the Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative (BCGC) is working with BPFP to plan for the transformation of SF ROW south to Sacramento and Oregon Streets for a pedestrian/bicycle pathway along with other community-serving activities (such as community gardening and playgrounds). We are conducting a survey in the surrounding blocks to get a picture of what residents would like to see. In early 2006 we’ll be submitting our recommendation to the Parks Commission to initiate the masterplan for this final segment of a multi purpose corridor that will link south Berkeley to the Ohlone Greenway – enabling people to connect all the way to Richmond! Call Beebo Turman of BCGC at 527-3773 for more information, or John Steere at 849-1969 to get involved.
Aquatic Park EGRET; November 2005
Native vegetation is now thriving at Aquatic Park thanks to volunteers with the Environmental Greening, Restoration, and Education Team (EGRET) who have cleared invasive weeds and spread mulch to improve Berkeley’s bay shore for visitors and wildlife. In addition, newly installed benches provide opportunities to enjoy the scenery, as do the recently excavated historic seating terraces. The circle at the park’s southern entrance is now an elegant introduction to EGRET’s habitat stewardship work, with wildflowers in bloom year round. For more information, or to get involved, call Mark Liolios at 549-0818.
Nov 2: 1st Wednesday Walks
Tilden Nature Area
Leader: Emma Morris – emmakathrynmorris@ yahoo .com
• Meet at 10:00 am at the front entrance to the Environmental Education Center next to the Little Farm. A stroller-friendly, easy walk, no hills. Rain cancels.