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.

Welcome

We are happy to present a new design for our web site. Take a moment to browse around–we think you’ll like what you see.

New/upcoming :

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 checking our calendar , 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 .

Volunteer: BPFP’s affiliate groups offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Find out about specific current opportunities on our volunteer page .

Other news and events: View the most recent posts from BPFP and our affiliates below, or select your favorite affiliate group from the "Posts by group" list below the calendar on the right.

April 21st, 2008 Web Weaver

Bring Back the Natives Garden Tour

May 4, 2008
10:00 amto4:00 pm

Register at www.bringingbackthenatives.net for the Sunday, May 4, Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, with more than 60 pesticide-free, predominantly native-plant gardens in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties . The event again includes a May 3 and 4 Native Plant Sale at various locations, and possibilities for private guided tours on other weekends, including a gourmet bicycle tour and a Berkeley walking tour.

May 2nd, 2008 Lee Trampleasure

May 10: Hidden Gems Bicycle Tour and Grassroots Greening Walk

May 10, 2008
10:00 am

Join BPFP May 10 on a bike ride or walk exploring hidden gems of West Berkeley, with special focus on citizen-led projects on and near the old Santa Fe rail route, and a bring- or buy-your-own picnic at Strawberry Creek Park (with snacks and drinks from Whole Foods Market).

The walk, co-sponsored with Berkeley Path Wanderers Assn., starts at 10 am at Codornices Creek and the Ohlone Greenway, on the Berkeley-Albany border opposite 1200 Masonic (map), north of the Westbrae shops and Santa Fe (AC Transit 9). A volunteer-built creek railing and restoration, community gardens, a new citizen-built park, native plantings, and young artists’ transformation of a tot park are among the stops on this easy, level walk, suitable for wheelchairs or strollers with one detour.

The ride is the 6th annual Hidden Gems tour, co-sponsored with Livable Berkeley and the Bicycle Friendly Berkeley Coalition. Beginning at the SW corner of San Pablo Park (Russell and Mabel), riders will explore the “fish house,” Berkeley’s Levittown, traces of the streetcar system that shaped Berkeley, and (continuing after the picnic) all the attractions of the walk, ending at 2 pm at the Codornices bridge rail.

Information at 510 848 9358 (walk), or 849-1969 (ride).

Enroute you can purchase the Hidden Gems Map, which depicts scores of these “gems,” along with bike routes, community gardens, creeks, parks and the historic transit system; or the Berkeley Path Wanderers’ map of Berkeley’s historic path system.

May 1st, 2008 fivecreeks

Visions of Berkeley Parks’ Future, May 3

May 3, 2008
10:00 amto4:00 pm

Activists, parks professionals, and academics will talk about their vision for the future of Berkeley’s parks, 10 am - 4 pm Saturday, May 3, at MLK Jr. Civic Center Park (next to Berkeley Farmers’ Market). Lunch and bluegrass music, noon to 12:50, punctuate the talks. From 3-3:30 pm, an open mike gives anyone the chance to speak. The event is in conjunction with the UC LAEP Dept.’s exhibit, “Legacy of Berkeley Parks: A Century of Planning and Making, ” at the Addison Street Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison Street, between Shattuck and Milvia.

May 1st, 2008 fivecreeks

Celebrate Schoolhouse Creek with Bayshore Bug Hunt, Art Making, More

May 31, 2008
10:00 amto2:30 pm

Saturday, May 31, celebrate historic Schoolhouse Creek in the Eastshore State Park with a bug hunt, making art from natural materials, a picnic, and interpretive walk or bike ride. Fun for all ages!

  • 10 - 11:30 am, discover the fascinating and varied miniature world of insects with Cal Bug People.
  • 11:30 am - 1 pm, enjoy a bring-your-own picnic (we’ll supply snacks and water) and short interpretive walk or bike ride. You’ll learn about the history and future of our waterfront, and how this former dump is being transformed.
  • 1 - 2:30 pm, environmental artist Zach Pine will lead us making art with found materials at the “glass beach” and miniature salt marsh at the creek mouth.

Attend one or all — everything is free, but numbers are limited. Information and registration at 510 848 9358 or f5creeks@aol.com.

Directions: GREAT bike ride on the Bay Trail, also reachable by AC Transit 9, which stops on University just across from Sea Breeze Deli. From there, walk 5 minutes north on Bay Trail. You’ll see our sign at the turnout and trail that was Virginia Extension. By car, parking at the site is very limited — park at Sea Breeze Deli, south side of University Ave. just west of I-880/580, and walk 5 minutes north on the Bay Trail as above.

Online maps: “Virginia St and W Frontage Rd, Berkeley,” only there is no Virginia St. — look for the small turnout and trail and our sign.

May 1st, 2008 fivecreeks

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