Event: Rocks, parks, and residential neighborhoods of North Berkeley

The Berkeley Partners for Parks and the City of Berkeley is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Berkeley's parks. The first event, in honor of Berkeley's first park, San Pablo Park, was held on August 25. Details for the next event are presented below (event description provided by Berkeley Partners for Parks). ...................................................................... September 8, Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon Rocks, Parks and Residential Neighborhoods of North Berkeley Co-sponsored by the Berkeley Historical Society and Led by local historian, and author Susan Cerny. Visit Indian Rock Park, Mortar Park, and Grotto Park in Northbrae and John Hinkel Park, all treasures of Berkeley's public open space. They contain native oaks, winding footpaths, and large stone outcroppings. Surrounding the parks are early 20th century residential neighborhoods with picturesque homes. Contact: Reserve a space by calling (510) 848-0181, between 1 pm and 4 pm on Thursday or Friday before the tour; or go to the city's events website. ...................................................................... On August 18 I walked with the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association on a tour of natural parks (subject of a future post) led by Susan Schwartz. On this walk, I saw many rock outcrops including one in someone's front yard (see below); this, other front yard rocks, and rock outcrops in Berkeley are featured in Berkeley Rocks by Jonathan Chester. The Landscape Architecture Magazine describes Chester's book as "fascinating." I was surely awed by these local geological features. Parks news items

• The SF Chronicle reports that the City of Albany will complete the lighting project on the Ohlone Greenway jogging path by November 4.
• The funding details of San Francisco's $185 million park bond are available in the Bay Area section of today's SF Chronicle.