Friends of the Fountain and Walk, P. O. Box 7343, Berkeley, CA (2026)

Friends of the Fountain and Walk began in the early 1990s as a non-profit organization, for the purpose of reconstructing the historic Beaux Arts Fountain at the center of The Circle in Berkeley, California. At the time, the restoration was one of the largest grassroots community efforts in Berkeley’s history. Today, the organization maintains and preserves the Fountain and Walk for the enjoyment

of all Berkeley residents and visitors. Friends of the Fountain and Walk is led by a diverse Board of seven directors, each of whom lives in the neighborhood surrounding the Fountain. The Board meets quarterly to review the organization’s finances, capital projects and strategy. Activities of the Friends of the Fountain and Walk organization include:

· Weekly maintenance of the fountain operating system
· Monthly maintenance of The Circle grounds and landscape
· Fundraising for major repair projects and on-going maintenance
· Coordination and cooperation with City of Berkeley
· Community outreach and education

The special joint working relationship between Friends of the Fountain and Walk and the City of Berkeley has become a model for other non-profit organizations in the area.

01/07/2026

Tripping the Lights (Not) Fantastic

Friends and neighbors: Just a note to explain why the holiday lights around the perimeter of the island of the Fountain at The Circle have been dark these past few weeks. The heavy rains and wind have played havoc with the garlands that contain the lights, causing the electricity to short out much of the time. We've tried to make repairs between storms, but have not been able to fix the problem completely....

Friends and neighbors: Just a note to explain why the holiday lights around the perimeter of the island of the Fountain at The Circle have been dark these past few weeks. The heavy rains and wind h…

12/06/2025

A Wish for the Holidays

Friends and neighbors: Time for a math pop quiz. This equation, we hope, is one that everyone will memorize and keep in mind: 2 + 2 = -5,000 That may seem like a crazy formula, but that is the unfortunate arithmetic that applies any time the Fountain at The Circle is vandalized by the seemingly “harmless” prank of soaping the water, as happened this weekend....

Friends and neighbors: Time for a math pop quiz. This equation, we hope, is one that everyone will memorize and keep in mind: 2 + 2 = -5,000 That may seem like a crazy formula, but that is the unfo…

11/23/2025

Fountain Is Decorated for the Holidays!

Friends and neighbors: On the cusp of Thanksgiving, volunteers from Friends of the Fountain and Walk turned out Saturday morning, Nov. 22, to add the annual holiday decorations to the Fountain at The Circle. They were joined by Mayor Ishii and some of her family and enjoyed coffee and pastries as a reward for their early morning efforts. The lighted garlands around the circumference of the fountain and the wreaths and kippot on the grizzly bear cubs have been adding a festive look to The Circle for many years now....

Friends and neighbors: On the cusp of Thanksgiving, volunteers from Friends of the Fountain and Walk turned out Saturday morning, Nov. 22, to add the annual holiday decorations to the Fountain at T…

08/10/2025

Friends and neighbors: Saturday, Aug. 9, was a fun and fulfilling day for our organization and a few hundred members of the Berkeley community. . First, FOFW led a walking tour of the Northbrae neighborhood where the Fountain at The Circle and Fountain Walk are its landmark centerpiece. It was our first public event since the beginning of the pandemic. Nearly 40 people joined the walk, which covered 1.5 miles and touched on various aspects of the area’s history, from the continuing presence of the Ohlone tribe to the development of Northbrae more than a century ago to the current debate over the need for higher-density housing....

Friends and neighbors: Saturday, Aug. 9, was a fun and fulfilling day for our organization and a few hundred members of the Berkeley community. . First, FOFW led a walking tour of the Northbr…

08/06/2025

Friends and neighbors: Some exciting recent developments to share involving Friends of the Fountain and Walk: Cover story: Our organization is featured in this month’s issue of Berkeley Hills Living magazine. You can read the story online here: To inquire about getting the print magazine at home, contact editor/publisher Cathy Schmitt: [email protected] History preserved: FOFW’s archives are now in the collection of the Berkeley Historical Society and Museum....

Friends and neighbors: Some exciting recent developments to share involving Friends of the Fountain and Walk: Cover story: Our organization is featured in this month’s issue of Berkeley Hills Livin…

07/23/2025

Friends and neighbors: Here, courtesy of our friends at the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, are the details about the Saturday, Aug. 9, unveiling of the re-created bronze lanterns that will again top the large stone pillars outside the library at the corner of Hopkins Street and The Alameda. The public is invited. And here is a little background about the effort that led to their reproduction and installation: Hope to see you there! -- Board of Directors, Friends of the Fountain and Walk

Friends and neighbors: Here, courtesy of our friends at the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, are the details about the Saturday, Aug. 9, unveiling of the re-created bronze lanterns that…

Address

P. O. Box 7343
Berkeley, CA
94707

Telephone

+15109829738

Website

http://www.BerkeleyFountain.org/

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