Construction of Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail Approved

With the approval from the County Board of Supervisors, construction of a new trail for hikers, equestrians, and bicyclists may begin this summer. The 4.25-mile trail will not only link 500 acres of protected open space on the north slope of Sonoma Mountain, but it will be an addition to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, a planned 500-mile ridgetop trail encircling San Francisco Bay. A collaborative effort of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Sonoma County Regional Parks, California State Parks, California State Coastal Conservancy, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, and LandPeople, the project will also provide a new trailhead and parking lot off of Sonoma Mountain Road.

District Grants Help Complete Sebastopol Skate Park and Community Garden

Two District grants, in 2004 and 2007, helped the City of Sebastopol acquire and build a new skate park and community garden. Due to be completed in June, the park includes a 15,000-square-foot skate structure, community garden, climbing rock, kiosk, chess table, and restroom, as well as benches, landscaping, and art sculptures. The garden, with 14 raised garden beds, fruit trees, and a butterfly and medicinal garden, will be an educational resource on sustainable-gardening practices. The West County Skatepark Association is a project partner. To learn more about the project, click here: http://www.sebsk8.org/ index.shtml.

Matching Grant Program Applications Now Available

Applications are now online for the 2008 cycle of the District’s Matching Grant Program. The application deadline is May 2 at 5:00 p.m. Grants are available to Sonoma County public agencies and nonprofits for projects that enhance natural areas or provide urban open spaces for public recreation, and funds may be used for acquisition or development costs. To date, the District has contributed approximately $11 million in matching grants through this program. For more information about the program and to download an application packet click here: http://www.sonomaopenspace.or/Content/10119/matchinggrants.html.

West County Regional Trail to Gain More Access

Through its matching grant program, the District awarded an $88,000 grant to Sonoma County Regional Parks for a new trailhead on the West County Regional Trail. The trailhead will be located at Ross Station Road, north of Graton, and will be the third trailhead along the 13-mile route, increasing the public’s access to the trail. This popular trail for pedestrians and bicyclists extends from Santa Rosa to Forestville. The District helped purchase the former railroad right-of-way in 1993 and retained a conservation easement to protect the trail’s open-space and recreation values. For more information about the trail click here: http://www.sonomaopenspace.org/Content/10106/preview.html.

Explore Camp Gualala on a Guided Hike

Protected by the District in 2005, scenic Camp Gualala is now open for regular guided hikes. The property features impressive old-growth redwood and Douglas fir forests and a mile-long stretch of the Gualala River. The guided hikes, about three hours long and from moderate to difficult hiking levels, are held on select Sundays—May 4, August 31, September 7, October 5 and 19, and November 2, 9, and 30. Pre registration is not required; arrive at 9:45 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. departure time. Park at the bend in the road near the Camp Gualala sign. For more information, contact Tom Bernard, UCCR’s Camp Gualala site director, at 886-5351, gualalacamp@aol.com, or Gualala@uccr.org.

Contact Us

Phone: (707) 565-7360
Fax: (707) 565-7359

Address

747 Mendocino Ave Ste. 100
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
openspace@sonoma-county.org

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District eUpdate is distributed to Sonoma County residents, partner agencies, and volunteers who support our work to permanently protect family farms, ranches, and scenic natural areas for people and wildlife.