Hood Mountain Lawson Expansion - Background

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District purchased the Lawson property in 2005 and transferred title to Regional Parks in June 2014. The property features oak woodlands, grasslands, mixed evergreen forest, and riparian chaparral/Sargent cypress woodland. A prominent ridgeline offers views of the Sonoma Valley and beyond. The property includes several special-status plants and significant cultural resources.

The property’s rugged backcountry provides an opportunity for new multi-use trails and greater connectivity to existing trails within the park. Other recreational opportunities might include picnicking, nature observation, and hike-in stays by permit-only. The property provides abundant opportunities to learn about natural and culture history.

The District holds a conservation easement and a recreation covenant on the property, protecting in perpetuity the scenic and natural values and requiring the land be open for low-intensity recreation and education uses. 

Please see these final Master Plan documents for complete information.

• Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration   (PDF: 11.5 MB)
• Master Plan  (PDF: 40 MB) 
• Notice of Determination  (PDF: 312 kB) 

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District is funding the Master Plan process and environmental documents, cultural resource protection, and the construction of a trail that will connect the expansion area to the park’s Lower Johnson Ridge Trail.