March 2026 Newsletter
Larson Park now open
Larson Park in Sonoma Valley is open following a major $4 million renovation, welcoming neighbors, families and sports groups back to a refreshed space for the Boyes Hot Springs community. Visitors will discover new pickleball and tennis courts, renovated baseball and soccer fields, expanded playground, and a new restroom and covered picnic area. These improvements create a more welcoming space for recreation, youth sports and community gatherings. A celebration is planned for April 19, so stay tuned for details and plan a visit to see the changes.
The project was supported in part by Parks for All — Measure M, the voter-approved sales tax that funds park improvements across Sonoma County.
Sign up for summer camp
Our summer camps begin on June 15, and registration is open now! Kids can explore nature, build outdoor skills and make new friends through hands-on activities and active fun.
Choose from Discovery, Junior Lifeguard, Nature Explorers and Junior Rangers camps. Discovery camps mix games, arts and crafts and outdoor recreation. Junior Lifeguard camps introduce aquatic safety, teamwork and water skills. Nature Explorers and Junior Rangers are two- and three-day camps along the Russian River where kids learn skills like animal tracking, survival basics and nature observation.
Spring wildflower guide
It’s wildflower season in Sonoma County! Warm weather means it’s time to hit the trails to look for baby blue eyes, California poppies, Henderson's shooting stars and other spring blooms.
Want to know how to tell a mule's ear from a monkey flower? Download our free Sonoma County Wildflower Guide to have with you on the trail.
Want to learn more? Follow #WildflowerWednesday on our social channels, where we spotlight some of Sonoma County’s most unusual wildflowers. And don't forget to share what you see by tagging us @SonomaCountyParks!
Framework guides accessible parks
Parks are where people gather, explore and connect with nature and where everyone should feel welcome. Our new Belonging Framework outlines how we will continue working to make your parks more accessible to all. Shaped by community voices, the plan focuses on practical improvements like easier-to-use trails and facilities, culturally relevant programs and stronger partnerships with local organizations. It’s one more step toward creating parks where everyone feels they belong.
Steelhead released at Riverfront
Anglers have a new reason to cast a line at Riverfront Regional Park. In January, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife released more than 100 adult steelhead trout into Lake Benoist — the first steelhead release in one of our parks.
These hatchery-raised fish (some weighing up to 10 pounds) already have contributed to spawning efforts in the Russian River watershed. By creating a new fishing destination, the stocking eases competition for wild steelhead in the river and adds nutrients to the park’s ecosystem. If you’re heading out to fish, please pack out fishing line and hooks to protect birds and other wildlife.
Start clicking: spring photo contest
Spring offers some the year's best photo opportunities in the parks, and the Sonoma County Parks Foundation invites you to enter your favorite nature shorts in its “Spring into Parks” photo contest by March 31. Prizes include REI gift certificates and the chance to be featured in the Spring into Parks 2027 calendar or to have your photo displayed at REI Santa Rosa for a year. Contest fees support the Parks Foundation’s work to benefit Sonoma County Regional Parks.
Join our team!
Lifeguards protect visitors at our swimming beaches and river parks, provide water safety education and support our water safety summer camps. Multiple positions available!
Learn more and apply at SoCoParks.org/Jobs.
Upcoming holiday closure
Our Santa Rosa office will be closed on Tuesday, March 31, for César Chávez Day. All parks will remain open.
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