November news: Welcome new board members

November 2026

Welcome new board members

We are excited to introduce two new members of the BPWA board. Bryan Haggerty will serve as social media coordinator, while Steve McConnell takes over as web services administrator.

Join our board!

We have several volunteer roles opening on the BPWA board early next year. If you love coordinating events and bringing people together, consider applying for the Events Coordinator position. Simply email us with your interest and background and we will get back to you!

Watch for more openings coming in next month’s newsletter.

Upcoming walks

Note: Heavy rain cancels. If rain is in the forecast, check the berkeleypaths.org website the day before to see if the walk is cancelled.

Evening Walk around Lake Merritt

When: Friday, November 6, 2026, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Where: Meet outside Lake Chalet Restaurant, 1520 Lakeside Dr., Oakland
Leader: Alina Constantinescu
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation gain: Minimal
Accessibility: Most of the walk is on sidewalks and paved trails. There are public restrooms along the route, but opening hours are not posted; unknown if they are open after sunset. Well-behaved dogs on leash welcome.

Start the weekend off with an evening walk around beautiful Lake Merritt and its historic "Necklace of Lights." We'll pass the lake’s wildlife refuge, where we're sure to encounter some night birds. Read more

Little Free Libraries of Elmwood and Environs

When: Saturday, November 7, 2026 10 AM - 12:30 PM Where: 2960 College Ave., Berkeley
Leaders: Sandy Friedland and Colleen Neff
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation gain: Mostly flat
Accessibility: Paved and flat, except for a few gently sloped streets. Stroller accessible. Well-behaved dogs on leash okay. Restrooms at the start.

Six years after our first tour of Elmwood, Claremont, and Rockridge, Little Free Libraries continue to spring up here. We’ll visit old favorites and new additions, and meet some of their stewards. Read more

Wall sculptures outside a North Berkeley home

North Berkeley Different

When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10:00 AM - Noon
Where: 1170 The Alameda, Berkeley
Leader: Rodney Paul
Distance: 1.6 miles
Elevation gain: 100 feet
Signup: RSVP

With its array of land uses and architectural styles, North Berkeley defies the “suburbia” stereotype. We’ll visit its Spanish Revival public library, homes of different styles, a vibrant business district, and even a small agricultural site. Read more

Tremendous attendance – Path Building 101

On October 10 we had a Path Building 101 class. We paired nine trainees with experienced builders. The group learned to remove and replace treads. Based on the success of this class, we will have more in the future. Stay tuned!

Out and about with Gene Myers

Check out Gene Myers’ recent blog post about the Great Stoneface Park Loop. Dive into other paths he has traversed as well. He provides great photos, how long it takes him to complete a hike, and the difficulty level.

Path maintenance work parties

Thank you to all who join Mary and Alina for work parties that involve weeding, sweeping, raking, and clipping. Because of you, we keep our paths clear of debris.

We do not have any work parties scheduled for November. We will post future work party dates, especially once the rains come and the grass grows! In the meantime, reach out to us if you see a path in need of maintenance.

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association

Large group of Berkeley Path Wanderers waving during a picnic in the park

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association is a community organization of people who treasure the public pathways that crisscross our city. Learn more

The BPWA board generally meets monthly. Please contact info@berkeleypaths.org for more information.

We always welcome new volunteers to lead walks on Berkeley’s paths. If you are interested, please contact the BPWA Walks Coordinator at walks@berkeleypaths.org.

To support Berkeley's paths, you can donate online. All donations are tax-deductible and go toward building new paths, repairing and clearing existing paths, purchasing handrails, and advocating for paths and walkers.