May 28, 2025
Posted in: News Articles
Many will remember the iconic words, “If you build it, they will come.” In the case of the Crane Creek Regional Park Expansion and Copeland Creek Trail Extension project, it’s more like, “If they come, we will build it.” A project that has been in the works for over 15 years is finally moving forward in earnest, connecting the west side of the SSU campus to Crane Creek Regional Park, thanks to many different funders coming to the table.
With all the funding finally in place, project partners broke ground on May 28, 2025, to celebrate this hard-won milestone. The Crane Creek trail project is supported by a combination of secured and proposed funding sources totaling nearly $5 million. Ag + Open Space is proud to have pledged $1,360,600 in grant funding through our Community Spaces program in 2020 and will retain a conservation easement and recreation covenant in exchange for our funding.
Other significant contributions include $1,657,998 from the City of Rohnert Park, $728,250 from Sonoma County Regional Parks, and an additional $700,000 is proposed through proposed budget amendment. Lastly, Sonoma County Regional Parks is anticipated to provide an additional $542,648 in proposed funding to help complete the project. “They” came, and now it’s time to build it.
Key features of the project include:
- 72 acres added to Crane Creek Regional Park
- 7,500 feet of new 8-foot-wide multi-use trail
- A 90-foot steel pedestrian bridge over Copeland Creek
- Two additional 16-foot bridges
- Drainage improvements, retaining walls, fencing, and trail signage
- A new pedestrian traffic signal at Petaluma Hill Road and Laurel Drive
Construction will be led by Argonaut Constructors and expect to complete the project by Spring 2026.