Berkeley’s Bay Trail — a joint project of the City of Berkeley, Caltrans District 4, and the Association of Bay Area Governments’ Bay Trail Project — has been recognized as a state-wide award winner for “Excellence in Transportation” by the California Department of Transportation. More than 100 entries were submitted from around the state.
The Berkeley Bay Trail is one of two projects recognized in the “Transportation Related Facilities” category and represents more than a decade of collaborative efforts to improve access to the Berkeley shoreline. Opened by Mayor Tom Bates and other elected officials last year to much fanfare, the 1.8 miles of walkway and adjoining jogging path runs along I-80. It provides access to spectacular views of the bay and waterfront and links to Eastshore State Park. The opening was captured best by Tom Mikkelson, former chairman of the Bay Trail Project Board of Directors, who called the Bay Trail “a platform to look out at the Bay and learn to love it.”
“We are very pleased about the statewide recognition of this project. Creating access to the Berkeley bayfront was our goal, and in working with the Bay Trail Project, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, Caltrans District 4, the East Bay Regional Park District, and other agencies and individuals, we were able to create a partnership to get the job done,” stated Lisa Caronna, currently Berkeley’s Acting Deputy City Manager, formerly Director of Recreation, Parks and Waterfront. “We are very pleased to offer this resource to our residents and visitors,” said Ms. Caronna.
The Association of Bay Area Governments’ (ABAG) President Scott Haggerty, Alameda County Supervisor, added his praise of the Berkeley Bay Trail and its importance to the ABAG Bay Trail Project. “The Berkeley Bay Trail is worth celebrating — not just because it was highly anticipated and is especially beautiful — but also because the Bay Trail spine is now complete between Emeryville and Richmond. As each new piece of this long-distance trail is finished, more areas are connected and many more people can appreciate the Bay.”
The Bay Trail, administered by ABAG, will encircle San Francisco and San Pablo bays with a continuous 500-mile network of bicycling and hiking trails, connecting all nine Bay Area counties’ shoreline, linking 47 cities, and crossing the regional major toll bridges. The Bay Trail Project makes available grant funds for trail construction and design; participates in planning efforts and encourages consistency with the adopted Bay Trail Plan; educates the public and decision-makers about its merits and benefits; publicizes the Bay Trail; and disseminates information about progress on its development. Additional information about the Bay Trail is available at http://www.baytrail.org.
Public agencies are working in partnership to help businesses achieve Green Business Program certification in their communities and many local public agencies are leading by example by achieving Green Business Program certification themselves. At the Second Annual Regional Recognition Ceremony on March 18, 2004, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) recognized 10 public agencies (listed below) for their leadership, environmental accomplishments, and public service in achieving Green Business Program certification in 2004. Green Business Program certification demonstrates that these public agencies not only protect the environment, public health and worker safety, but also set an example for businesses and other public agencies throughout the Bay Area.
The Following Public Agencies were recognized for Achieving Green Business Program certification in 2004:
Alameda County: City of Berkeley Office of Economic Development and City of San Leandro Public Works Department Equipment Maintenance Division
Contra Costa County: City of Concord Fleet Services, Town of Danville Maintenance Services, City of Pinole Vehicle Maintenance, City of Walnut Creek Vehicle Maintenance, and Mountain View Sanitary District
Marin County: Sir Francis Drake High School
Santa Clara County: City of San Jose West Valley Branch Library
Sonoma County: Sonoma County Administration Center