Give input by August 24 on three public art proposals that would also create bird and insect habitat in a new West Berkeley park.
Use a City survey to explore and share feedback on three public art proposals planned for a new neighborhood park in West Berkeley.
Each proposal includes two permanent artworks that would stand at opposite ends of the future park four-block park, a conversion of an old railroad. These artworks would also provide habitats for native and migratory birds and beneficial insects.
Use the survey to rate how well the design for each artwork:
- Creates shelter and nesting opportunities for native and migratory birds, as well as non-stinging insects.
- Complements the park while promoting environmental awareness.
- Creates a bold, visually striking landmark at each end of the park corridor.
Your feedback will help guide the artist selection process before the Civic Arts Commission makes its final decision.
Share your thoughts in the survey by August 24 at 12:00 pm and encourage friends and neighbors to join the conversation.
Review three public art designs
Last year, Berkeley's Civic Arts Program asked artists from the 21-county Northern California Megaregion to apply for this project.
Seventy-two artists and teams applied. Three finalists were picked and asked to create proposals after visiting the project area in May 2026. The finalists also met with City staff and community members.
The chosen artist’s works will be installed in two locations:
- Community Garden section, between Blake and Parker streets
- Urban Farm and Education section, between Derby and Ward streets
Each proposal includes two permanent vertical habitat structures that combine public art with nesting and shelter spaces for birds and insects.
Review each proposal and let us know which vision resonates with you.
- MURMUR NEST, Adrien Segal
- Berkeley Watershed, Jennifer Parker and Anja Ulfeldt
- Kindred Oak, Misc. Activities (Tsēmā and Jonathan Igharas)
Survey answers will be shared with the review panel when they meet the finalists in September 2026. The panel will suggest one proposal to the Civic Arts Commission, which will make the final choice.
The installed artwork is set to be revealed at the fall 2027 Berkeley Bird Festival.
From railroad tracks to new neighborhood park
This public art project is part of the Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion, which is changing old railroad land along Acton Street, between Blake and Ward streets, into a park that will span across four blocks.
The project includes four sections:
- Community garden (Public Art Site #1)
- Dog park
- Kids’ playground
- Urban farm and education (Public Art Site #2)
Planned amenities throughout the new park system include:
- Community garden
- Urban farm and teaching garden
- Orchard
- Dog play area
- Playground with a tot cycle track
- Outdoor classroom
- Outdoor exercise stations
This project is funded through a $5 million Proposition 68 Statewide Parks Program grant, nearly $200,000 in Measure T1 funding, and $4.5 million of Parks Tax. It will improve access to parks and green spaces for nearby neighborhoods, creating more opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors, gather, and stay active.
The project site used to be part of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway corridor, which carried passengers and freight through Berkeley for much of the 20th century.
Over the years, residents worked to keep the remaining corridor as public open space. Thanks to community efforts, voter-approved plans, and City planning, parts of the old rail line became parks, affordable housing, community gardens, and trails.
In 2021, the City received state funding to move forward with the next phase of this vision by creating new parks between Blake and Ward streets.
This project continues the community-led transformation by bringing together recreation, habitat restoration, and public art into a connected park system.
Public art in Berkeley
Berkeley's Civic Arts Program supports public art that shows the city's history, neighborhoods, and natural environment.
You can find public art all over Berkeley, in parks, plazas, city buildings, libraries, and other shared spaces. These projects give people places to meet, celebrate local culture, and build community ties.
Your feedback will help create a public artwork that welcomes visitors and supports birds, useful insects, and the new park.
Please complete the survey by August 24 at 12:00 pm.
learn more and give feedback on art proposals
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