In Celebration of Piedmont Beautification Foundation’s 60th Anniversary
Piedmont is fortunate to have a Fenway, a term denoting a marshland pathway, uncommon in most cities. Perhaps the best-known Fenway in the U.S. is Boston’s Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, named for its location in a marshy area of Boston—a “path through the meadow” akin to what English walkers once called paths through marshes. In California, Yosemite Valley boasts a well-known Fenway: a partially elevated path between Camp Curry and the John Muir Trailhead, winding through a marshy area.
The Birth of the Hall Fenway
Piedmont’s Fenway is a scenic path connecting Wildwood Avenue and Crocker Avenue near the entrance to Crocker Park. Originally, this area served as the right-of-way for the Key System’s #10 Streetcar, which ran through Piedmont until 1948. The line extended from Walla Vista Avenue, down Lakeshore Avenue, through downtown Oakland, and into the heart of Piedmont before crossing Sheridan Avenue and traveling behind homes between Caperton and Lincoln Avenues. When the line was abandoned in 1948, much of the right-of-way was sold for small home developments. However, Herbert E. Hall, a resident near the route, envisioned a walking path as a more fitting addition to the neighborhood. Recognizing the grandeur of nearby homes, Hall convinced the City to accept the property and worked with neighbors to raise funds for its acquisition.
Landscaping and Dedication
The City acquired the land in 1963 and partnered with the Civic Beautification Committee of the Piedmont Garden Club to begin landscaping the path. When the Piedmont Beautification Foundation (PBF) was established in 1964, it adopted the Fenway as one of its first major projects, raising funds to complete its transformation into the lush park-like setting seen today. Though not marshy, the landscaping incorporated water-loving plants in homage to the Fenway name. The original design featured beautiful white birch trees as highlights. To honor Herbert Hall’s pivotal role, the path was officially named “Hall Fenway.”
Hall Fenway Today
Today, Hall Fenway provides the community a serene, gently winding path surrounded by verdant plants. A bronze plaque on the west-facing wall commemorates Herbert and Susan Hall and other donors who contributed to the initial land acquisition. A gracefully curved concrete bench at the midway point honors Carol Parker Bryan, while wooden benches at each end commemorate Jackie and Jigs Davis at the Wildwood Avenue entrance and Ruthie and Denny McLeod at the Crocker Avenue entrance. These wooden benches were acquired through PBF’s Memorial Bench Program.
Commitment to Preservation
To ensure Hall Fenway’s long-term beauty, PBF pledged to contribute $4,000 annually for plant maintenance—a promise upheld to this day. For many years, Frances Bishopric, a Past President of the Piedmont Garden Club and a long-time PBF Advisor, regularly monitored the Fenway’s condition, walking the path daily with her dog and reporting issues to the City.
Since Nancy Kent became Piedmont’s Parks and Projects Manager in 2016, she has maintained the Fenway along with the City’s other parks. Her stewardship, supported by Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales, has kept the path in excellent condition. Recently, some of the annual PBF maintenance funds have been used to purchase and plant the stunning chain of daffodils that now blooms along the walkway each spring.
Adapting to Climate Change
Climate change has challenged Hall Fenway’s historical plantings. White birch trees, a hallmark of the original design are being replaced with drought-tolerant white alders. Despite these challenges, Kent and Gonzales are committed to preserving as many original plant species as practical to honor the Fenway’s historical significance.
A Perfect Time to Visit
With daffodil season approaching, there is no better time to take a stroll through the Hall Fenway. Its rich history, natural beauty, and serene atmosphere make it a treasured part of Piedmont’s landscape.
Try your hand at PBF’s Game of the Week
How many Piedmont/PBF/conservation-related words can you spot? (The puzzle can be downloaded and printed for your convenience.)
