Traffic Circle Adopt-A-Spot Pilot Program Launching

Members of the community have an opportunity to "adopt" a traffic circle, such as this one at California St and Derby St.

Later this month, the City will be implementing its new Traffic Circle Vegetation and Maintenance Policy. The updated policy is the result of several years of community outreach and input. The purpose of this new policy is to identify the appropriate type of vegetation and its

maintenance for traffic circles that provide traffic calming, beautification, environmental, and other benefits while maintaining pedestrian safety. Under this policy, trees can remain inside traffic circles, but must not have branches less than seven feet above the top of the curb of the traffic circle. Bushes and shrubs must be drought resistant and lower than 24 inches (two feet) from the top of the curb of the traffic circle. Plants must not have spines/spikes (i.e. cacti), nor can they bear fruits or vegetables.

Many neighborhoods have decided to maintain their local traffic circles over the years. This new policy provides clear direction on how individuals and neighborhoods can “adopt” a traffic circle. Click here to see a map of which traffic circles have and have not been adopted. This month, a pilot program will be launched for traffic circles along California St.

If you are interested in continuing your volunteer activities, you must email a completed Traffic Circle Volunteer Agreement and Release from Liability to adoptaspot@cityofberkeley.info within two weeks of receipt of this notice. Volunteering without executing the Volunteer Agreement and Release of Liability is strictly prohibited. Upon receipt of the signed Volunteer Agreement, the City will provide a reflective vest which you must wear at all times while working in the public right of way and in the traffic circle.

People who are interested in the Traffic Circle Adopt-A-Spot program are invited to participate in a webinar on Thursday, December 9th at 6pm. While this webinar will focus on the California St pilot program, it is open to all.

To RSVP to the webinar, click here.

If you have any questions, please email adoptaspot@cityofberkeley.info. We appreciate your partnership in keeping Berkeley’s traffic circles beautiful and safe.