Above: Yarrow, a drought-tolerant native wildflower, blooming along the Santa Fe Right of Way regional trail. Below: Years of volunteer work, rain or shine, controlled weeds and planted these beds.  |
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Santa Fe Right-of-Way
The Santa Fe Right of Way started as the narrow-gauge California & Nevada Railway in the 1880s. Intended to reach the Colorado mines, it never got past Orinda. But in the early 20th Century, the Santa Fe system took over the line and used it for passenger and rail service to Oakland, competing with the Union Pacific rails along the shoreline. But dwindling rail traffic eventually doomed the line, which shut down in the 1970s. Much of it was taken over by BART. The railroad eventually gave most of the unused portions (West Street on many maps) to the City of Berkeley. After 30 years, the city is gradually converting most segments to pedestrian-bicycle path, joining the Ohlone Greenway pedestrian-bicycle route, which stretches into Richmond.
But by 2007, the first path segment built was badly neglected. Friends of Five Creeks' volunteers began removing tall weeds and planting drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly natives in the two blocks between Berkeley Way and Delaware.
Besides serving as a demonstration of environmentally friendly planting techniques, the landscaping has greatly reduced litter and vandalism along the trail. Check out our slide show!
Directions
The Santa Fe Right of Way runs north-south, parallel to and between Acton and Chestnut.It can be reached from any cross street or from University Avenue. AC Transit 51B on University stops at its south end (look for the big blue gate and the mid-block crossing light).
Headed south on the Ohlone Greenway by bicycle or on foot, the junction is beyond Cedar Street. Where the Ohlone Greenway angles east toward the BART station, continue straight across the basketball and volleyball courts.