For my “special sauce” I hiked the Berkeley hills trail above Grizzly Peak that was about a mile and a half long. I walked with a friend of mine around 4:00 so we could watch the sunset after. We walked with about 5 other people who lived in Berkley. They hiked the trail along side my friend and I and showed us a cool lookout spot up on the hiking trail. 

The locals were super nice but also concerned about the fire safety and trash issue. They told us they had a few community trash pickups over the summers but that people always came back and littered again. These people living just down the road also mentioned the usage of fireworks and how unsafe they are next to a very dry open space. We were told fireworks were more present a couple years back but that people have been setting trash on fire for the past year which is also a huge fire hazard and air pollution. After talking to these locals I got the inside perspective of how severe this issue is. They all stated the city doesn’t care and it’s the community that would be the ones to make a change for Grizzly Peak. This week most likely on Wednesday or Thursday I’m planning to go to Grizzly Peak and contribute some trash cleanup. Although I will be the only one I believe it will give a good insight for this special sauce side of the project. I will bring a garbage bag and go spot by spot to see how bad this issue is being it’s winter and colder so less people outside. 

My perspective has changed since meeting those locals. They seemed hopeful change will come but nothing sounded too soon. Despite having been neglected by the city they still try to manage the issues best they can. What I found interesting was the community around the Berkley hills hike a lot. They said almost everyone who lives around the area they see walking these same trails we were on daily. It also sounded from what I heard they rarely go down to Grizz because the trash issue and amount of people is obsurd and uncomfortable. After hiking the trail above the viewpoint I can see why they don’t go down. There’s a nice viewpoint with no trees in the way that has a great view of the city. Seems the locals avoid Grizzly Peak more then they want to help but I could be wrong. 

When I visit Grizzly Peak I try to ignore the trash and not allow it to lessen the view. I go back each time to see the same view of the same place with the same people but why? The feeling of parking on the side of Grizz stepping out and looking out into the city is unmatched. It brings a feeling of comfort and relaxes me to simply enjoy the view. Grizzly Peak brings people back for the same reasons. When life’s hard taking a walk or a hike or watching the sunset is a great way to remember how valuable being alive is. I think Grizzly Peak is so popular because it’s a great place to go to simply enjoy the view and take a break from everything else. 

From what I’ve researched Grizzly Peak is one of the main attractions in Berkley aside Cal and a few restaurants. In Berkley there’s not a whole lot for people my age to do aside go to school there. This is why so many people go to Grizzly Peak so often. Being one of the main attractions the trash issues should be looked deeper into and fixed. There’s nothing worse then taking a picture and seeing trash all down on the ground in between me and the beautiful view. I’ve had to edit out a couple pictures and decided to not post them because of the trash in it. I felt seeing that much trash almost took away from the view. I’ve mentioned adding more trash cans and maybe a couple signs could help this issue be resolved. If not further actions must be taken into consideration like fining people for littering at a protected hillside. The one issue is they would have to be caught in the process which could be difficult. I think the best first step is a couple signs warning people who litter will be fined and hoping they decide to make the right choice. 

After the amount of research and communication i’ve found between residents in Berkley I feel I have connected a lot more to this place that is truly special to me. Going to Grizzly Peak for many years now i’ve seen it at its worst and it’s best. Right now it’s only trash that is an issue that I believe can also be dealt with. I feel more connected having been there multiple times in a week and a half span and picking this as my topic. I can confidently say Grizzly Peak is a beautiful place despite the trash but one day I hope to see an improvement to this special place.