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Tag: City of Santa Rosa

  • Sharing Dreams for the Greenway

    Sharing Dreams for the Greenway

    Volunteers Worked Together to Envision a Completed Park

    After years of advocating for the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway park land, volunteers gathered together to write down their dreams for park amenities onto sticky notes. The notes were then placed in recommended areas on a map of the greenway. This was an important step in maintaining the ideas and input received by volunteers and community members over the years as the Southeast Greenway moves into the next phase of planning.  

    In early July, Southeast Greenway volunteers and supporters gathered once again to share their dreams for the park, now with renewed energy as CMG Landscape Architecture has joined the project to help design the park’s master plan. Long time volunteer Pete Dellavalle presented possible recreational uses and their locations such as a pump track, adaptive playgrounds, yoga area, and more.  

    Attendees also met representatives from CMG Landscape Architecture, who the City of Santa Rosa recently hired to help design the master plan for the park, and Civic Edge Consulting, who will help with community engagement and outreach. CMG Landscape shared more about their work and how they plan to integrate and restore natural features along the Greenway as part of their plans for including trails, habitat spaces, and recreational areas. It was exciting to see how even with new organizations involved, the focus is on making sure the Southeast Greenway is going to be a park built by the community, for the community.  

    Special thanks to Sonoma Clean Power for hosting the gathering at their downtown Santa Rosa headquarters and Santa Rosa City Mayor Mark Stapp for attending.

    If you have dreams for this park, stay tuned for upcoming workshops, surveys, and more.  

  • Asm. Damon Connolly Walk & Talk

    Asm. Damon Connolly Walk & Talk

    Learning about legislative work and our park

    Support from local legislative representatives for the planning and development of the new Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway City Park continues to be strong. On Saturday, July 25, Asm. Damon Connolly hosted constituents of his CA-12 Assembly district (Northern Marin and Southern Sonoma counties) at Howarth Park’s Cypress Point picnic area for a presentation and walk to introduce them to the Greenway. Staff and interns from his office joined Sonoma Land Trust staff and Southeast Greenway Committee members to provide information and answer questions about the history and status of the two-mile stretch of land between Farmers Lane and Spring Lake. 

    After being provided snacks and beverages by Assemblymember Connolly’s office, the approximately 40 guests, who were from both counties, were guided on the path connecting Howarth Park to Spring Lake Park. The group then proceeded on Spring Lake Park paths to the west side of that park’s campground area. From there, the party was able to walk through the gate that opens onto the location where the Southeast Greenway will merge into Spring Lake Park, seeing the Greenway stretching west to Farmers Lane and the views of Santa Rosa and the ridges beyond. 

    Along the way, guests learned about the monthly guided walks on the Greenway, in which they can participate to experience first-hand the varied landscape, habitats, and crossing points that will be preserved and created for the surrounding neighborhoods and the entire community. They were also invited to participate in upcoming community input sessions that will be offered as part of the planning process unfolding over the next year or so. The response among the guests was strong and positive, with expressions of equally strong interest in participation in planning sessions and sharing what they learned with family, neighbors, and friends. 

  • Volunteers Provide Their Muscles

    Volunteers Provide Their Muscles

    Keeping the Park Clean

    A flock of wild turkeys enjoying breakfast on the Southeast Greenway on Sunday, July 25, were surprised to be joined by Sonoma Land Trust staff and Greenway volunteers who were there to walk the property in search of trash. Armed with collection tools provided by the City of Santa Rosa, the group split up working in different sections of the Greenway from Franquette Avenue up to Summerfield Road. 

    The annual clean-up had been delayed for several months, waiting for the City to mow the property. Volunteers filled several dozen large plastic bags with bottles, cans and other items. Also left for pick-up was a huge tractor trailer tire, a rusted car bumper, and shopping carts. It was sad to see some areas being used as major trash dumps, especially along creek beds. Even with the large amount of trash, volunteers finished the work earlier than planned. One first-time volunteer was awed by the beauty of the Greenway. 

    Volunteering with the Southeast Greenway is a fun and rewarding way to be part of something lasting. We hope you’ll join us!  

  • City Selects Master Plan Consultant

    City Selects Master Plan Consultant

    A Major Milestone in Bringing Santa Rosa’s Newest Park to Life!

    After months of anticipation, the Santa Rosa City Council has taken a major step forward for the Southeast Greenway. On June 16, 2026, the Council approved a contract with CMG Landscape Architecture to lead the master planning process for the nearly two-mile corridor connecting Farmers Lane to Spring Lake.

    This marks the official start of the next chapter for the Greenway: planning the transformation of 49 acres once slated for freeway expansion into a vibrant, welcoming public park in the heart of our city.

    CMG brings deep experience shaping public spaces across the Bay Area. The San Francisco-based firm led the landscape design for the Petaluma River Park project, which will become a destination park. They designed Mission Rock, the waterfront neighborhood near Oracle Park developed in partnership with the San Francisco Giants, and played a leading role in long-term planning for Crissy Field, one of the most visited and beloved parks in the region. Their portfolio also includes major civic and waterfront resilience projects throughout Northern California—work that should translate well to a community-defining space like the Southeast Greenway.

    According to the City of Santa Rosa’s announcement, community outreach will begin soon, giving residents a chance to help shape a shared vision for the park. Input gathered from participants will inform a draft master plan, expected to be ready for public review in spring or summer 2027.

    This is wonderful news, and a strong signal that real progress is finally underway. As outreach plans take shape over the coming weeks, we’ll be right here to help spread the word.

    Stay connected with us for upcoming opportunities to get involved and make your voice heard as planning begins.

  • Shaping Paths Between Two Greenways

    Shaping Paths Between Two Greenways

    City Survey and Community Bike Ride Offer a Chance to Weigh In 

    The City of Santa Rosa is taking on an exciting connectivity project: linking the Prince Memorial Greenway downtown with the future Southeast Greenway, closing a critical gap in what could one day be a continuous east/west trail across the city. As part of the Greenway Connectivity Study, City planners are asking the community to help choose between three possible routes—and there are two great ways to get involved.

    Take the Survey
    The City has put together an online survey walking through the three proposed alternatives, complete with maps and visual simulations of what each option could look like on the ground. It takes about 15 minutes to complete, and your input will directly inform the City’s recommended path forward.

    Join the Community Bike Ride
    Want to see the routes in person? Join City planners and fellow community members for a guided bike ride on Saturday, July 11 at 10 a.m., meeting at Prince Gateway Park. The flat, approximately 4-mile ride heads to Montgomery High School and back, giving riders a firsthand look at two of the route options along the way. All ages and abilities are welcome, and there’s an optional group lunch afterward for anyone who’d like to keep the conversation going.

    There’s also an in-person workshop on July 29 from 6–7:30 p.m. at 635 First Street in the City Hall Campus with a short presentation, Q&A, and free snacks and childcare provided.

    This is a great opportunity to have a direct voice in how our community connects, walks, and bikes for years to come. Learn more and find additional details on the City of Santa Rosa’s project page.

  • City Issues RFP for Master Plan

    City Issues RFP for Master Plan

    The Southeast Greenway Moves From Vision to Planning

    We’re excited to share a major milestone in the journey of the Southeast Greenway: the City of Santa Rosa has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consulting team to develop the park’s Master Plan. This is a big step forward in shaping the future of this 2-mile urban greenway that will connect Farmers Lane to Spring Lake and serve as a key corridor for walking, biking, nature, and community life in our city. 

    What is an RFP?

    An RFP, or Request for Proposal, is how a public agency like the City asks qualified consulting firms to submit ideas and plans for a project — in this case, the Greenway’s Master Plan. It’s the first key step toward choosing a team that will help guide how the park will be designed and developed over time. 

    What will the Master Plan do?

    A Master Plan is a big-picture roadmap: it will gather community input, describe priorities for trails, open space, habitat restoration, and amenities, and recommend how the Greenway can support safe, active transportation and welcoming public space for all. It will help guide the many decisions that come next — from how paths are aligned to where picnic spots or gardens might go — while balancing access, recreation, ecological restoration, and long-term sustainability. 

    How will the Community be Involved?

    Responses to the RFP are due to the City by February 19, 2026. Consultant interviews are anticipated in March, with contract approval by the Santa Rosa City Council in May 2026. Provided there are no major delays in the consultant selection process, community outreach and engagement to inform the plan is expected to begin in July 2026 and continue through the spring of 2027.

    This marks the start of an exciting phase where community voices will help shape the Greenway’s future. We expect this planning process to unfold over the next couple of years, and we will share ways for everyone to get involved as they arise. Stay tuned!

    Photo: City prepares for Master Plan by marking property boundaries along the Southeast Greenway.

  • Well Testing on the Greenway Property

    Well Testing on the Greenway Property

    Aquifer Pilot Project In Progress 

    The City of Santa Rosa is currently conducting a pilot test at an existing well near Martha Way to evaluate the feasibility of storing and recovering drinking water in the underground aquifer. This potential “water bank” is on the Southeast Greenway.  

    Approximately 3 million gallons of drinking water will be recharged, stored and recovered- not wasted.  No chemicals or contaminants are being used, and there are no anticipated impacts to nearby creeks or groundwater levels. The project requires 3 months to complete. Funding is provided through a grant issued from the California Department of Water Resources.  Learn more here.

    Well testing on the greenway with photo of large green storage tank and other equipment

    Photos courtesy of Jim McAdler