Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP) is a citywide nonprofit organization working for citizen support of parks, public recreation, open space, paths, greenways, community gardens, and environmental restoration in Berkeley, California.
Map of where you can volunteer hands-on. See street, contour, satellite, or Google Earth views, with links to how to volunteer. Also check our calendar, recent posts below, or specific affiliate groups for info on volunteering.
Join:
We welcome individual members as well as affiliate groups — one of BPFP’s main functions is to act as fiscal sponsor for volunteer groups that are not incorporated. Find out about joining by clicking on Resources for Groups above or contact us for more information .
Donate:
BPFP also raises funds for itself, affiliate groups, and, through the Parks Partnership Fund , for specific projects in Berkeley parks. Find out how to donate here .
Other news and events:
For more news on BPFP and its affiliates, see our annual newsletters, scroll down to view recent posts, click on the calendar at right, or click on "affiliate groups" at right and then your favorite group.
Join Friends of Five Creeks on their annual trip to another restoration area — this year Sat., Feb. 13, at beautiful Muir Beach, the mouth of Redwood Creek in Marin County, a major project of the Golden Gate National Park and its Conservancy. Former EB MUD ranger Bob Flasher will lead us in restoring habitat in the morning. After picnic lunch, environmental artist Zach Pine will lead us making environmental art and balancing rocks on the beach. (See Zach’s projects here.) We’ll also have directions for short self-guided walks for those who want to explore, including glimpses of local food production at Slide Ranch and the Zen Center’s Green Gulch Farm.
The program will run from 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM (carpools leave Berkeley about 8:30 AM). Please plan to dress in layers, with rain boots or shoes that can get wet (a change of footwear is a good idea). We’ll work in a drizzle, but heavy rain cancels.
Please let us know you’re coming by Feb. 8 at f5creeks@aol.com or 510 848 9358, so we can arrange carpools!
The City of Berkeley hopes to extend three important bicycle-pedestrian routes in the next 2-3 years, using about $4.5 million in state and federal grants:
The long-planned extension of the Bay Trail west along the south side of University Avenue to the Marina includes a launch pad for windsurfers near Hs Lordships Restaurant, but leaves out a controversial swath through Shorebird Park.
Emeryville’s Doyle Street Greenway will be linked to Berkeley’s 9th Street via the old railroad right-of-way.
The Santa Fe Right-of-Way between Delaware and the Ohlone Greenway between Cedar and Virginia will get a paved trail, and the right-of-way between University and Addison will be opened. This will create a long-distance bicycle-pedestrian connection from Bancroft (the south edge of Strawberry Creek Park) to the City of Richmond (where the trail also is being extended).
Invisible but deadly, mercury threatens San Francisco Bay wildlife, complicates restoration, and is the major reason that people must avoid eating Bay fish. But what to do is a conundrum. San Francisco Estuary Institute ecologist Kat Ridolfi speaks on sources of mercury, current research, and choices that can reduce contamination, 7 PM Monday, Jan. 4, at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin (at Masonic).
Free; refreshments; all welcome! Information at f5creeks@aol.com, 510 848 9358, www.fivecreeks.org.
Gathering will be led by Alan Gould, Lawrence Hall of Science
Mini-work shop on the Reasons for the Seasons
Cesar Chavez & Tolerance
Winter Celebrations
Rain or shine, a couple of us will be there….
Dress accordingly – The weather is part of the experience
NOTE
Thank you to all the dog walkers who have been helping by keeping their dogs on a leash. This is particularly important when there are a lot of people, dogs and excitement in the center circle. It makes for a more orderly and enjoyable experience for all in attendance. You are some of our biggest supporters.
Those of you who have been there in the past know that we regularly review four virtues of Cesar Chavez which are metaphorically associated with the four cardinal directions. Tolerance is also one of those virtues. And it is a good one to be reminded of as we learn to be with one another harmoniously in a special space and moment.
Join the Santa Fe Mobile Mural Project brainstorming ideas for a participatory mural, 7-8:30 PM Tues., Nov. 17, at Frances Albrier Community Center, 2800 Park St., in San Pablo Park. Neighbors and residents interested in positive open space possibilities for the city-owned Santa Fe Right of Way in South Berkeley are invited to share their vision for the green strip, as a first step generating ideas for a participatory mural.
Space is limited — please RSVP to beebot@pacbell.net 510-527-3773.
The project in sponsored by Berkeley Partners for Parks, the Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative, and the office of Berkeley Councilmember Darryl Moore, and funded with a UC Berkeley Chancellors Community Service Grants.
