| May 15, 2010 |
| 10:00 am | to | 1:00 pm |
The 8th annual Hidden Gems of Berkeley bike ride explores the curious, quirky, and crafted features and grassroots greening initiatives that make Berkeley unique — this year in Berkeley’s charming Northbrae and Westbrae neighborhoods. Meet at the North Berkeley Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda and Hopkins, 10 AM Sat., May 15. The leisurely ride on level and gently sloping terrain ends at 1 PM. Bring lunch, water, and the family — great for children over 10. The event is free; updated Hidden Gems of Berkeley maps available for $5 donation. Sponsored by Berkeley Partners for Parks, Livable Berkeley, East Bay Green Tours, and Bicycle Friendly Berkeley Coalition; led by John Coveney, Marlene Fouche, and originator John Steere (for information contact John at 510 849 1969).
May 1st, 2010 fivecreeks
For the third year in a row, BPFP’s “Greening Berkeley Hands On” partnership has been awarded a Chancellor’s Community Partnership Fund grant by UC Berkeley. This year’s award of $24,000 will help BPFP affiliates carry out a wide variety of hands-on environmental projects. The grant pays for both materials and a UC student intern, who organized student volunteering through CalCorps, UC’s public-service arm.
Projects in the 2008 grant range from path construction and a solar light for the Santa Fe Right of Way, projects of Berkeley Path Wanderers, to tools and gloves for the city’s 14 public-school gardens, through Friends of School Gardens. The community-built Schoolhouse Creek Common will install chess tables and a bench. Nearby, Friends of Westbrae Commons will continue transforming the Ohlone Greenway south of Gilman with native coastal-prairie plants. Friends of Shorebird Park Nature Center will spread fresh sand and build new racks at Adventure Playground, while Aquatic Park EGRET will get upgraded nataive plants and upgraded wheelbarrows. Friends of Five Creeks will be able to install signs on local natural history and plant drought-tolerant natives in a variety of sites, from the Santa Fe Right of Way to Mortar Rock Park.
Aquatic Park EGRET also will partner with Earth Team Environmental Network, Berkeley Community Media, College of Natural Resources, and Berkeley Community Garden to involve local teens in habitat restoration days that teens also will film for showing on local cable TV. This project received a $5000 Chancellors Community Partnership grant.
Join us to carry out these projects! Contact BPFP or the affiliate group you are interested in — click on “Affiliated Groups” at right.
July 28th, 2008 fivecreeks
Our annual Update highlights activities of BPFP and our affiliate groups from 2007:
From the Board introduction:
We are hopeful the energizing power of partnerships will become a theme of the 21st century. Around the world individuals are organizing in their local areas to improve their lives, and Berkeley Partners for Parks is a leader in those efforts in our community.
- Aquatic Park EGRET , Berkeley Partners for Parks , Berkeley Path Wanderers Association , East Bay Labyrinth Project , Friends of Five Creeks , Friends of Halcyon Commons , Friends of Westbrae Commons , General interest , Schoolhouse Creek Commons , Thousand Oaks Park Society , United Pool Council , Young Artists Workspace
January 16th, 2008 Lee Trampleasure
September 16, Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Musical Block Party at Peralta Community Garden – hosted by the Friends of Westbrae Commons:
(Meet at 1400 Peralta Avenue, by the corner of Hopkins)
Celebration of 3 Community Gardens. Peralta Community Garden, Karl Linn, and Northside plus Ohlone Greenway and Berkeley Eco House. Afternoon will include a workshop on traffic management at Peralta/Hopkins intersection, plus food and music. Contact: Neil Collier 510-524-2671 or nacollier AT pacbell DOT net
September 16th, 2007 Web Weaver
Come celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Westbrae Neighborhood Commons. Enjoy Food, Live Music, and Tile Painting and more!
Music by: KC Jiang (harmonica), the Swing Monkeys (acoustric trio), and Michael Wilson & friends (acoustic quartet)
A brief program will be held at 2:45
Date: Sunday, September 17
Time: 2-5 p.m.
Place: Peralta Community Garden (on Peralta between Hopkins St. & Gilman St.)
Cost: Free
Wheelchair accessible
The Westbrae Neighborhood Commons includes the Peralta, Northside, and Karl Linn Community Gardens, the Ohlone Greenway Natural and Cultural History Exhibit, and the Berkeley EcoHouse. These unique community spaces feature artwork and eco-friendly technologies amidst lush vegetable gardens and native California vegetation. A network of beautiful common spaces invites visitors to enjoy nature and each other’s company. A testament to the spirit of community, these commons were created and are maintained by volunteers and neighbors.
See you there!
Nicole Becker, coordinator
Friends of the Westbrae Commons
September 17th, 2006 Web Weaver
