Colgan Creek restoration flourishes and forges on

Colgan Creek originates in the foothills of Taylor Mountain, flows across the Laguna de Santa Rosa, into the Russian River and eventually to the Pacific Ocean. Sections of the creek were relocated and channelized in the 1950s, but in 2002 the Santa Rosa City Council adopted the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Plan to restore and enhance a 1.3-mile stretch of the creek in southwest Santa Rosa, create a new park, and build a pedestrian and bicycle pathway.

The restoration project has been supported by Ag + Open Space for nearly two decades, and is a multi-phase endeavor led by the City of Santa Rosa in partnership with Sonoma Water and other funders. Ag + Open Space has supported acquisition and restoration work through our Community Spaces Matching Grant Program, and has acquired an easement over the properties along the way to ensure their long-term conservation.

Overall, the project aims to enhance habitat quality for fish and wildlife, restore the natural ecosystem services provided by the creek, improve pedestrian access, and reduce flood risk. Once completed, the project will create a continuous riparian habitat enhancement area totaling 15 urban acres. 

An ADA-accessible pedestrian and bike pathway is also being built along the right bank of the creek, with a pedestrian bridge crossing the southeast corner to safely connect residents to nearby schools and amenities. A neighborhood park is being planned for future construction, with the restored Colgan Creek meandering through as a central feature. 

Restoration of Lower Colgan Creek is a priority for the City because of the flood risk, habitat conditions, need for a safe route to schools such as Elsie Allen High School and Bellevue Elementary School from the surrounding neighborhoods, and the need for additional park space in southwest Santa Rosa.  

Ag + Open Space has, and continues to, support the Colgran Creek project through awards from five separate Community Spaces Matching Grant cycles, starting in 2008 and continuing on now and into the project’s next phase, a future community park adjacent to the creek and trail. Upon completion of all five Community Spaces Matching Grant projects, we will have contributed over $4M to the Colgan Creek project.

Our Community Spaces grant program centers community in open space by supporting open space projects that reflect the needs and vision of Sonoma County’s diverse communities. The program focuses on protecting land and creating open spaces within our cities and communities, through partnerships with local public agencies, nonprofits and federally recognized Tribal organizations. 

Community Spaces projects provide places to enjoy nature, find solitude, hold public gatherings, grow local food, and more. Since 1994, this unique program has helped develop 69 urban open spaces and dedicated over $50 million towards projects in all nine incorporated cities and in most unincorporated areas. Community Spaces funds can be used to acquire new open space and/or to restore and improve existing open space.

The completed phases of this project have already led to a healthier seasonal creek ecosystem with native streamside vegetation that supports oaks, willows, fish, and birds such as Great Blue Herons, egrets, red-shouldered hawks, and more. There are also river otters, which is particularly strong (and delightful!) evidence that the restoration work has had a significant impact.

You can learn more about the project at: https://www.srcity.org/3725/Lower-Colgan-Creek-Restoration-Project