April 2026 Newsletter
Stop and spot the wildflowers
Park hillsides are bursting with vibrant green growth and spring color, from California poppies to lupine and shooting stars. Wildflowers can be fleeting, so now’s a great time to get out and see what’s blooming.
Join one of our guided wildflower walks, where staff and volunteers help you spot standout blooms and share what makes them unique.
If you’d rather explore on your own, check out one of the parks featured on our blog or download our free Wildflower Guide and choose your own adventure.
Give back this Earth Day
Join us on Saturday, April 19, 8:30 a.m. to noon, for community cleanups along Sonoma Creek at Maxwell Farms and Larson parks in Sonoma Valley.
This vital waterway supports beavers, coho salmon, freshwater shrimp and more. Help protect this habitat while making a visible difference in your parks.
The cleanups are hosted in partnership with Homeless Action Sonoma, Sonoma Valley Rotary clubs and the Sonoma Ecology Center. We'll provide tools, gloves, snacks and coffee. Free; registration required.
Larson Park: Refreshed and ready for play
Celebrate a new chapter at Larson Park at a community dedication on Sunday, April 19, 1:30-4 p.m., at 329 DeChene Ave. in Sonoma.
Enjoy free family activities, including arts and crafts, pickleball demos and community booths. Refreshments will be provided, with additional food available for purchase.
A longtime community hub for recreation and gatherings, the 7.6-acre park now features new sports fields, pickleball courts, renovated tennis courts, picnic areas, a new playground and an ADA-accessible restroom. No registration needed for this free event.
Reel it in: Pack it out
On April 8, we stocked Pond B at Foothill Regional Park with more than 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout, with more on the way. It’s a great opportunity for beginners and seasoned anglers alike.
If you're heading out to fish at Foothill (or any of our parks), remember a valid California fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older, with a five-fish daily limit. Follow posted rules and pack out all fishing line and hooks to a trash can. Discarded fishing line and hooks can harm birds and other aquatic wildlife if they become tangled or ingest them.
If you're fishing at Foothill, you can also take the voluntary survey of what you catch at ciras.wildlife.ca.gov.
Annadel 5K benefits your parks
The annual Annadel Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races return to the trails of Spring Lake Regional Park and Trione-Annadel State Park on Saturday, April 18.
The 5K course is a hilly out-and-back route, starting near the Oak Knolls picnic area and climbing into Trione-Annadel. Proceeds from the 5K directly benefit the Sonoma County Parks Foundation to support your regional parks, trails and programs, while proceeds from the Annadel Half Marathon and 10K benefit Friends of Trione-Annadel State Park. The race will feature chip timing, a free t-shirt, post-race food and beer.
Not running? Volunteers are still needed for race-day support and packet pickup at Fleet Feet in Santa Rosa the evening before on Friday, April 17. Follow the link below to sign up.
Work in the parks this summer
Multiple positions available! Learn more and apply at SoCoParks.org/Jobs.
- Park ranger assistants help keep parks safe, clean and welcoming by supporting daily operations, assisting visitors, collecting fees, maintaining park facilities and protecting natural resources. ($29.52 - $35.89 Hourly)
- Lifeguards protect visitors at our swimming beaches and river parks, provide water safety education and support our water safety summer camps. ($25.08 Hourly)
Choose your own adventure
All who wander...
Explore life on the edge! On Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., you're invited to enjoy beautiful vistas of the North Sonoma Coast on this guided hike along the bluff overlooking the mighty Pacific Ocean at Gualala Point Regional Park. We might see migrating whales or other coastal wildlife. Cost: $10-12; registration required.
Fisherman's Festival returns
Head to Westside Regional Park for the annual Fisherman’s Festival on May 2 and 3 for a lively weekend celebrating Bodega Bay’s fishing community. Enjoy fresh seafood, live music, local art, food trucks and family-friendly activities, plus the popular boat building contest and blessing of the fleet. Regional Parks members receive free parking.
Spring Lake Bioblitz
Participate in community science while learning about the plants and animals that call Spring Lake Regional Park home on Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. to noon. This family-friendly, hands-on activity will have you working together to discover and document as many species as possible along the park’s trails. You’ll also receive resources to help you continue exploring and observing wildlife in your own neighborhood. Free; registration required.
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