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.
Introducing Hilgard Path
Berkeley Path Wanderers Association’s intrepid team of path builders is putting the finishing touches on Hilgard Path, a dirt path winding through oaks and redwoods in the North Berkeley Hills between two historic, landmarked homes.
Dedication of Jacque Ensign Way celebrates BPWA founders and history
Shortcuts to safety: Zone 15 - Cragmont
Adding Handrails To Steep Paths: A BPWA Priority
Take note! Karen Kemp returns to BPWA
Path Pal Barbara Robben: Paths runner, booster, and volunteer
What’s happening? Hilgard Path!
Path Pal Diane Resek: Mattocks and mimosas
Sounds like an owl…
Path-building team reroutes Wildcat Path
“It’s meditative”: Elsa Tranter and the Zen of Picking Up Trash
The best map of Berkeley just got better!
Four paths renamed for founders of Berkeley Path Wanderers Association
Meet new board member Petra Biddle-Gottesman: Walks Co-Chair and Social Media
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a junior at College-Prep, the same school that Jacob, a previous board member, went to.
How did you become interested in Berkeley's paths?
A few years ago I started taking walks throughout the Berkeley hills, trying to find all the different hidden paths. A friend of mine told me about BPWA and it sounded just like what I'd been interested in exploring.
What do you hope to achieve as a BPWA board member?
I am really excited to join the board and work on making the Berkeley paths even better and learning more about them!
In the photo above, Petra takes a break from walking Angel, Honey, and Piper at Pt. Isabel.
Meet new board member Lisu Thachet: Newsletter / Website production
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have lived in Berkeley on and off since 2002. I’m originally from Chicago and have also lived in the Washington, D.C., area. Workwise I’ve mostly been in the nonprofit and government world. Currently I work for the City of San Francisco.
How did you become interested in Berkeley's paths?
I discovered the paths while wandering around North Berkeley with a friend who lived nearby, so I was beyond thrilled when I stumbled upon the book Secret Stairs East Bay by Charles Fleming. Over the course of the next few years we did all of the walks in that book at least once.
What do you hope to achieve as a BPWA board member?
I’m looking forward to learning more about how BPWA works and helping to spread the news about the great work it does.
Meet new board member Zuzana Ikels: Grants and Development
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am litigation partner at the international law firm of King & Spalding. I have two daughters that I cherish and hope will discover the paths earlier than I did. I live in Albany.
How did you become interested in Berkeley's paths?
I have always known about the paths, but I only “discovered” them because of the pandemic. I walk them most mornings, became fascinated with learning about their origin, the Maybecks, and the Hillside Club. There is something magical that happens to our thoughts, ideas and creativity when we cross *paths* with the land, animals and other humans.
What do you hope to achieve as a BPWA board member?
I am excited about getting involved in the BPWA and serving as a board member. I am hoping that I can give back, share with and encourage others, and, most importantly, weed and work on the paths so that everyone else can enjoy them!
