Greenway Facts
Learn more about the City of Santa Rosa’s updated Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan here.
FAQs
Q: What is the Southeast Greenway?
A: The Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway is a two-mile vacant corridor of land (the former Highway 12 Right-of-Way) that will become a new, 47-acre urban greenway, park, and open space in the largest city in Sonoma County. Providing amenities for all, the Southeast Greenway can become the City’s own “Central Park,” with paths for cyclists and pedestrians, picnic areas, community gardens, pocket parks, art displays, and new opportunities for outdoor play and education. It will serve as a strategic link in our regional non-motorized transportation system, connecting Spring Lake Park with Sonoma Valley to the east and to SMART, downtown, and to the Prince Memorial Greenway and West County trails.
Q: Why is it called a “Greenway”?
A: The Southeast Greenway is one of many new and developing parks in the United States evolving out of abandoned or underutilized transportation corridors, such as old railways and highways. The Greenway movement aims to create multi-use parks and trails that promote recreational activities, environmental sustainability, and alternative transportation options.
Q: Who owns the Southeast Greenway?
A: The City of Santa Rosa acquired the property in 2024 after a heroic 15-year grassroots effort led entirely by volunteers. The California Transportation Commission formally approved selling the 49-acre state property to Santa Rosa in May for just over $1.8 million, the appraised market value, and the property was in escrow until the City’s purchase closed in October. The purchase was partially funded by a $1 million grant from the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District and donations from community groups and individuals.
Q: Will the Southeast Greenway have bicycle and pedestrian paths?
A: The Greenway will provide a key link in our county’s network of trails, linking with Sonoma Valley trails to the east, the SMART train and its associated trails north and south, and the Prince Memorial Greenway and West County trails reaching all the way to Forestville. People of all ages will be able to ride safely in pleasant surroundings while reducing their carbon footprint.
In 2011, the City of Santa Rosa added a Class 1 Bicycle Trail stretching from Spring Lake Park to Montgomery H.S. to its Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan. In 2019, the Master Plan was amended to show Class 1 Trails on all the planned multi-use paths on the Greenway. See Figure 5-4 on page 88 of the Master Plan.
Q: Will there be any housing or commercial operations on the Southeast Greenway property?
A: The City’s General Plan designates mid-density housing and mixed-use development for 9.7 acres of the property. The Greenway Campaign has asked that such housing be compatible and integrated with existing uses of the Greenway. Additionally, the Campaign wants any potential housing development to be designed in a way that retains views of the surrounding hills and minimizes the visual impact along streets crossing the Greenway. See “Southeast Greenway Illustrative Map”, Figure 2-4 on page 39 of the General Plan.
Q: Is the Southeast Greenway a wildlife corridor?
A: The Southeast Greenway already serves as a corridor for some wildlife movement, and this function may be strengthened with creek restoration and the planting of additional native vegetation that provides shelter and food for wildlife.
Q: When will the Southeast Greenway get built?
A: This is one of the questions we get asked the most! It took 15 years to purchase the land from CalTrans and we are working to make sure the building and planning phases go more quickly. The next phase is the development of a Master Plan, which is expected to take 2 to 3 years. In this phase, planning consultants will work with the community to pull together all of the best ideas for infrastructure and habitat restoration and create a unified design. Once the plan is complete, the City will oversee construction and development of the park. We will keep you posted every step of the way.
Q: Can the public participate in planning for the Southeast Greenway?
A: Community engagement is essential during the Master Planning phase and if you have ideas, we want to hear them! The best way to stay informed about the process is to sign up for our e-news. When we hear about opportunities for participation we will let you know.
Q: How are donations used for the Southeast Greenway?
A: The Southeast Greenway Campaign appreciates every donation and uses funds to engage and educate the community about the property and support maintenance and development. Financial support and in-kind services have been received from over 30 organizations and well over 400 individual donors.
Additional development funding comes from a variety of sources including both public and non-profit agencies, foundations, individual and corporate donations, and grants from County, State, and Federal sources.
Q: How is the Sonoma Land Trust involved with the Southeast Greenway?
A: Sonoma Land Trust is the fiscal sponsor for the Southeast Greenway and our essential partner for many years. Donations to the Southeast Greenway go to the Sonoma Land Trust.
Q: How will the Southeast Greenway benefit our community?
A: So many ways!
Health and Recreation: The Southeast Greenway will provide much needed outdoor space for urban apartment and condominium dwellers, bringing environmental equity to the local neighborhood.
Active Transportation: It will provide safe and easy bike and pedestrian access to Howarth Park, Spring Lake Regional Park, and Trione-Annadel State Park.
Economic Vitality: Greenways are an economic asset to the communities in which they are located. They attract tourists who are interested in outdoor recreation and have the potential to improve the quality of life for all residents.
Education: There are 6 schools within a half-mile of the Greenway and 8 schools within a one-mile radius. Providing safe ways to walk and bike to school offers health benefits while reducing local traffic congestion and improving air quality. Local educators are excited about using the Greenway to provide outdoor education to all City and County school children, as well as opportunities for community involvement.
Climate Resilience: The Southeast Greenway will provide the opportunity to restore native trees and grasses, providing carbon sequestration, aquifer recharge and improved watershed. Additionally, it will protect critical habitat for wildlife and wildfire interface protection.
Q: Who will maintain the Southeast Greenway?
A: The Southeast Greenway is now a publicly owned property managed by the City of Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Department. The Southeast Greenway Campaign and Sonoma Land Trust are committed to working with the City to raise additional funds for park planning, development, and volunteer stewardship programs, assuring future maintenance of the property.