Redwood Chapter is proud to announce that we recently contributed $2000 to the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation in support of an exciting project to build eight miles of trails at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa. The trail expansion, one of Sonoma County’s largest trail projects, will open the northeast section of the 1,100-acre park to public access.
The multi-use trails will be built as stacked loops that lead visitors through oak woodlands, across ridges with sweeping views of Santa Rosa and Bennett Valley, over the headwaters of Colgan and Cooper creeks, and past the site of a historic hot springs resort. Trailheads on Kawana Terrace, Linwood Avenue and Panorama Drive will make it easier for southeast Santa Rosa residents to walk or bike to the park.
“This will create a tremendous health resource for our community,” said Supervisor Shirlee Zane, whose 3rd District includes much of the park. “Last summer, we added a Petaluma Hill Road entrance that improves access for residents of Rohnert Park and the south county. Now, we can build trails and neighborhood connections that make Taylor Mountain even more accessible.”
“Taylor Mountain is a wonderful example of how we can provide opportunities to play and learn in protected landscapes,” said Supervisor Susan Gorin, whose 1st District takes in northern and eastern sections of the park. “Most of Taylor Mountain will be open to the public when these trails are built, yet the land will remain an important agricultural resource and urban buffer.”
In December, Sonoma County Regional Parks learned that the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program has approved a $1.7 grant for funding in late 2016; trail construction could begin in early 2017 and continue through 2018. The award is contingent upon Congressional reauthorization of Recreational Trails Program funding later this year and also requires $316,000 in local matching funds. The Chapter’s donation will help make up the $80,000 local match pledged by the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation.
The Sierra Club also hopes to contribute volunteer labor to this project -- please stay tuned for later announcements about ways to help!
