Bay Trail Sears Point Connector

What & Why?

Regional Parks is proposing to develop a 0.8 mile section of the regional Bay Trail located south of Highway 37 near Sears Point. The completion of this trail segment would close the trail gap between the existing Eliot Trailhead and Tolay Creek Trailhead, and provide a longer and continuous hiking and bicycling trail, thus improving public access.

The completion of this trail segment is consistent with the 2010 Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and the San Francisco Bay Trail Plan adopted by the Association of Bay Area Governments.

The 0.8 mile trail section is located near the San Pablo Bay Wildlife Refuge which is subject to tidal fluctuations and sea level rise. A feasibility study was completed in February 2018 to help identify opportunities, challenges, and evaluate trail alignment options located within an environmentally sensitive area. The scope of the feasibility study included preliminary design and engineering, cost estimates, and meeting and soliciting input from the general public and stakeholders such as regulatory agencies. The study identified several trail alignment options that could be constructed to close the trail gap. 

What's Next?

The public workshops and stakeholder meetings to solicit input on the draft Bay Trail Sears Point Connector Trail Feasibility Study have been completed. No additional workshops are scheduled at this time.

On March 20, 2018, the County Board of Supervisors accepted the findings and recommendations of the Bay Trail Sears Point Connector Trail Feasibility Study. The study identified several trail options. Regional Parks will pursue grant opportunities and other means of funding to develop the proposed trail options recommended in the feasibility study.