Press Releases
Splash into summer at Spring Lake, Russian River
Spring Lake Regional Park offers a variety of summer activities including a lifeguarded swimming lagoon, inflatable Water Park, and boat rentals. For safety on the Russian River, free life jackets are available and lifeguards patrol key beaches. Read full story
Summer shuttle to Russian River beaches returns this month
The Regional Parks River Shuttle is a convenient, low-cost way to visit Russian River beaches without the need for a personal vehicle. With new, expanded hours, the shuttle will operate 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, beginning Saturday, May 25, through Labor Day, Sept. 2.The River Shuttle departs from the El Molino High School campus, 7050 Covey Road in Forestville, and runs between the popular Steelhead Beach and Sunset Beach river parks. Read full story
New gathering area breaks ground at Tolay Lake Regional Park
Last month’s groundbreaking on a public gathering area at Tolay Lake Regional Park marks a significant milestone in the park’s development and highlights the unique co-management agreement between Sonoma County Regional Parks and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Read full story
YES! Parks innovative nature program awarded nearly $300K
A $297,320 grant will fund Sonoma County Regional Parks’ YES! (Youth Exploring Sonoma) Parks program through January 2026. Read full story
Vamos a Nadar celebrates 20 years of water safety education
Designed to reduce drowning deaths in along the Russian River, Vamos a Nadar has reached more than 3,000 young people in Sonoma County since launching in 2004. The 2024 schedule is now available and parents can register at SoCoParks.org/Nadar. Read full story
Local parks tax supports $14 million in improvements
Parks departments throughout Sonoma County updated their playgrounds, sports facilities, and signage and completed other crucial maintenance projects with $14 million in Parks for All/Measure M sales tax revenue in the 2022-23 fiscal year. Read full story
Prescribed pile burning operations planned at Bouverie Wildflower Preserve and Sonoma Valley Regional Park
Sonoma County Regional Parks is planning to conduct pile burns at the Bouverie Wildflower Preserve and Sonoma Valley Regional Park from December 4th through December 15th. The upcoming pile burn is a continuation of fuels reduction work conducted by Park’s staff and the Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB) that focused on reducing surface and ladder fuels to help protect the remaining trees and adjacent communities from future wildfire severity. Read full story
Sonoma County Leave No Trace Coalition receives global recognition
The Sonoma County Leave No Trace Coalition—a first-of-its-kind partnership between Sonoma County Tourism, Sonoma County Regional Parks, the Leave No Trace organization, and 60+ local businesses—has been awarded on both the global and state level with two honors this week for its groundbreaking work in promoting safe and responsible visitation of parks and open spaces. Read full story
Sonoma County websites earn accolades from National Association of Government Web Professionals
The Sonoma County Information Systems Department was recently recognized by its peers among the National Association of Government Web Professionals with separate awards for two county websites - the Sonoma County Regional Parks microsite and the Sonoma County Economic Development Board’s Sonoma County Connections website. Read full story
Free holiday parking at Regional Parks for veterans and active-duty military
In appreciation of their service, veterans, active-duty military and their families can receive free parking at all Sonoma County Regional Parks on the Veterans Day holiday weekend. Read full story