Grizzly Peak - The Meh Minimum

From this...

To this!

If we can't find the courage to transform Grizzly Peak into a world-class park, the least we can do is compel UC Berkeley to live up to its legal and environmental obligations to keep the site as clean as the rest of its campus. With $7 billion in the bank and a grizzly bear mascot, there is no excuse for the status quo.

As shown on this map, Cal owns most of the land west of Grizzly Peak Boulevard, including the pullouts and most of the trashed areas. At a minimum, here is what the university must do to ensure this property - which it holds in trust for the public - is a clean and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy:

1. Permanent Trash Cans at Each Pullout. The UC Facilities Manual provides that Cal must ensure a "safe, healthful, and secure environment" (§§ 1.3.1, 1.4), an "environmentally acceptable atmosphere" (§ 1.1.2), and "well-maintained facilities" that "meet the University's requirements" (§§ 1.1.7, 1.1.2). These standards apply with the same force and effect to Grizzly Peak as they do to Sproul Plaza.

In addition, Cal's Zero Waste Plan repeatedly stresses that "one of the most effective downstream activities" for capturing litter is the installation of "standardized signage and bins" at "major thoroughways and entrances and exits" (pp. 4, 26). According to the Plan, "Bigbellies are now the standard [trash] receptacle for outdoor locations at UC Berkeley" and should be "strategically placed" in "high-trafficked areas," including "on campus as well as off campus" (pp. 26, 27).

In order to meet these legal and environmental obligations, Cal must place and maintain Bigbelly trash, recycling, and compost containers at pullouts 0 through 5 and 7, as well as this pullout, which serves several heavily-used trails. These pullouts see hundreds of visitors every day, and people routinely tell us that the lack of trash cans is the main reason people litter, which is why we place and maintain them in every other park and public space.

Cal recently install Bigbellies at this pullout located next to the Lawrence Hall of Science, likely because it is in plain view of the university's museum. All we're asking is that the same standards be extended to the rest of its campus. Go (Grizzly) Bears!

2. Weekly Litter Cleanups. The cleaner a space is, the less permission people feel to trash it. In addition to competent waste containers, weekly litter cleanups are essential to ensuring Grizzly Peak remains a clean and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.

3. Leave No Trace Signs. Grizzly Peak does not currently feature signs asking people to respect nature and our shared common areas. As with all relationships, if we want specific behaviors we have to use our words.

4. Butt Containers. Cigarette butts are some of the main litter items we pick up. Given the site's shocking fire risk, installing numerous butt containers at each pullout would seem a prudent investment.

5. Seal Dump Sites. For years, a handful of trashy people have taken advantage of Grizzly Peak's remote location and lack of enforcement to use this natural wonder and cultural institution as a free dump. After three hellishly difficult cleanups (see here, here, and here) and an award-losing video, Cal finally cleaned up the main illegal dump site in April of 2025.

Unfortunately, as with its insufficient and non-spec portable waste containers, this cleanup is not enough. Unless the pullouts above the dump sites (located here and here) are sealed with railings or logs placed close to the road in a manner that blocks all parking, trashy people will just keep throwing tons of junk down Grizzly Peak's ravines while pocketing their dump fees. Indeed, a tour in December of 2025 demonstrated that all three sites have been heavily re-dumped since.

Again, $7 billion in the bank, and a grizzly bear mascot. UC Berkeley must do better. If you'd like to help encourage Cal to live up to its legal and environmental obligations, here's who to reach out to. Keep your message short and friendly, tell a story, and don't forget that these folks work for us!

UC Berkeley. As shown on this map, Cal owns most of the numbered pullouts and trashed areas to the west of the road. Contacts include the UC Regents, the Office of Sustainability, the Facilities Department and its head, Felix DeLeon ([email protected]), and the Zero Waste Program and its head, Lin King ([email protected]).

Oakland and Alameda County. Oakland owns Grizzly Peak Boulevard and approximately 12' off the pavement on either side. Contacts include Janani Ramachandran (Oakland District 4), Oakland Public Works, and OAK311. In addition, Nikki Fortunato Bas represents Alameda County District 5, which includes Grizzly Peak.

State and Beyond. Buffy Wicks (State Assembly District 14), Tim Grayson (State Senate District 9), Brent Blackaby, Berkeley District 6 (Grizzly Peak is outside Berkeley's city limits, but his district has strong sway), and Gavin Newsom (Governor).