"We are having this presentation during Pedestrian Safety Week and we hope folks will come out to learn more about these unique features on the landscape," says Patton.

This will be the sixth annual safety week sponsored by the Pedestrian Safety Project, headed by director Tom Van Demark.

Founded in 1995, OPSP promotes pedestrian safety, access and fitness by working with other city agencies and community-based organizations.

"We are looking to develop comprehensive solutions to pedestrian problems through coalition-building and community outreach," says Van Demark.

Earlier this year, the project was responsible for producing the new "Walk Oakland Map & Guide," which lists information on transit, organizations such as the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, additional resources, books and maps relating to getting around Oakland, and tips on walking and cycling safely in our urban environment.

"The map also highlights where the city's designated landmarks and districts are located, and gives descriptions of some of the walking tours available," says Patton.

"The map is very useful for tracking down the 135 or so landmarks on our list," says Betty Marvin, of the Cultural Heritage Survey. "It is great to now have a map where everyone can see where the landmarks are."

A volunteer advisory committee assisted with cataloging the more than 200 walkways, or off-street routes that provide shortcuts throughout Oakland, particularly in the older neighborhoods, such as the hilly areas of San Antonio, Fruitvale and Trestle Glen. "There are concentrations of pathways in the Upper Rockridge, Montclair and Glenview areas as well," says Patton.

The survey data collected by the volunteers was compiled as an appendix to the Pedestrian Master Plan document adopted by Oakland City Council last fall, as part of the Land Use and Transportation Element of the General Plan.

The vision statement for the plan is "to promote a pedestrian-friendly environment; where public spaces, including streets and off-street paths, will offer a level of convenience, safety and attractiveness that encourages and rewards walking."

One example of an off-street pathway is the Cleveland Cascade, at the west end of Cleveland Street between Merritt Avenue and Lakeshore Avenue, just east of the lake. Dedicated in 1923 and designed by locally prominent landscape architect Howard Gilkey, the 250-foot-long ornamental stairway originally featured descending concrete bowls between the stair steps, where recirculating water illuminated at night by colored lights "cascaded" down the steeply sloping walkway.

Cultural Heritage Survey files reveal the water feature aspect of the cascade operated until the 1950s. Although the water no longer runs, it is still an active walkway and sees heavy use. A Friends of the Cascade group, made up of nearby neighbors sponsors periodic clean ups, is looking to the Parks Department for supplies and gardening tools.

For additional information on Pedestrian Safety Week and Wednesday's presentation, call (510) 637-0191.

Weekly free walking tours sponsored by the Oakland Tours Program get under way on May 1, 2003. Tours are offered every Wednesday and Saturday, May through October. All tours start at 10:00 a.m. and last about 90 minutes. Reservations are recommended but not required.

Saturday's tour is the Old Oakland Historic District and starts on the corner of 9th and Washington streets. For more information, call the hot line: (510) 238-3234.

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
(510) 208-6447
(510) 208-6477 Fax##
lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com Email