The 8 work parties that it took to clear the paths were led by Mary Lynch, who has organized weekday parties monthly since 2015, and former BPWA president Alina Constantinescu, who began leading weekend work parties this year.

Our crack team of path builders has replaced old wooden steps on lower Oak Street Path with new steps that will smooth the way for walkers on the busy path north of the Rose Garden and Codornices Park.

With voter-approved bond funds, the Berkeley public works department has made substantial repairs to the cement steps on Visalia Walk, Tunbridge Lane, and Florida Walk in northeast Berkeley.

Whether it’s by donating, volunteering on path maintenance days, or cheering us on social media, your support for the paths continues to sustain us. If you value the paths as a local source of inspiration and restoration during these times, I hope you will support our group’s work into the new year and beyond.

It took falling down twice on Upton Lane — once on wet leaves and another on dry — for John Ford to choose the path for adoption.