Public invited to shape future of North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

Sonoma County Regional Parks is asking for community feedback on the potential for future trails, campsites and other recreational amenities at North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Preserve. The department is creating a master plan to guide the park’s development and invites the public to review and comment on three plan alternatives between now and Oct. 30.

Located on Sonoma Mountain Road, southeast of Santa Rosa, the 820-acre park encompasses a prominent ridgeline visible from many areas of the county and adjoins Jack London State Historic Park and Fairfield Osborn Preserve.

The properties comprising North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park were acquired primarily by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and transferred to Regional Parks in 2014. The park opened in 2015 with two trails and trailhead parking.

Since then, Regional Parks has been developing a park master plan, a document that will serve as a blueprint for future public access and land management. The goal is to expand recreational opportunities while preserving natural and cultural resources. The process has involved environmental review, a community workshop, neighbor and user surveys, and now, a 45-day public review of three alternative conceptual plans.

All three draft plans propose miles of new trails, including a route to the summit of the mountain. They also all include campsites, an overnight bunkhouse, picnic and gathering spaces, additional parking, livestock facilities and habitat restoration. There are variations among the plans for the total number of new trails, the percentage of trails that allow dogs and the percentage that are multi-use versus hiker-only. Two of the plans allow for cabins and a natural play area.

Regional Parks will incorporate public comments on the plan alternatives into a final draft master plan and present it to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in the spring of 2021.

To view the three alternatives and submit your feedback online, visit sonomacounty.ca.gov/Parks/Planning/North-Sonoma-Mountain. A hard copy of the presentation can be obtained at the information kiosk at North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park (5297 Sonoma Mountain Road) or by contacting Park Planner Karen Davis-Brown at karen.davis-brown@sonoma-county.org, (707) 565-1359, or by writing to Karen Davis-Brown at Sonoma County Regional Parks,  2300 County Center Dr., Suite #120A, Santa Rosa CA, 95403.

About Sonoma County Regional Parks

• The Sonoma County Regional Parks system includes 56 parks, beaches and trails. Regional Parks preserves natural and cultural resources and offers opportunities for recreation and education that enhance the quality of life and well-being of residents and visitors.