Insights on Developing Parks and Open Space in Sonoma County

Working on the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway Campaign for over a decade has broadened my appreciation of how much foresight, time, community support, and funding go into the many parks and open spaces that we enjoy here in Sonoma County. Every time I walk in a nearby Regional Park or open space, I think about how much effort must have gone into the acquisition, planning, development, and maintenance of that beautiful space – think of the beautiful views from the recently opened Jenner Headlands or the oak-studded trails in Sonoma Valley Regional Park. There are so many professionals, community members, government agencies, and donors to be grateful for.

In their summer newsletter, our Greenway Partner, the Sonoma Land Trust, has an excellent article about the many stages that are involved in a new park’s lifecycle. In it they highlight the Southeast Greenway, Petaluma River Park, and Sonoma Development Center, projects that are part of their strategic plan to expand access to new parks close to where people live.

Sonoma Land Trust LogoTo learn more about a new park’s lifecycle and the fundraising required to make it a treasured community asset, read Preserving Nature Nearby on page 7 of the Land Trust’s Summer Newsletter. This provides an insightful glimpse of what lies ahead for our Greenway Project. Our thanks go out to Sonoma Land Trust for all they are doing to protect the scenic, natural, agricultural, and open landscapes of Sonoma County – 58,000 acres and counting!

By Linda Proulx – a founding member of the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway Campaign