LATEST UPDATES

June 2023

Meet the Dream Team!
We are excited to share the news that the Petaluma River Park is entering a new chapter. Over the next year, our whole community will participate in activities to co-design the future of the Petaluma River Park. This will result in a “Concept Plan” that will provide both written and visual descriptions of the park we have all envisioned.

We’re calling this the Dream Phase—a time for our entire community to dream together about the future of the Petaluma River Park. And we’ve created a Dream Team to guide us through this process. Thanks to the planning grant we received last year from the CA State Coastal Conservancy, we are delighted to announce the members of this remarkable group:

December 2022 - PRESS RELEASE

Petaluma River Park receives $1.4 million planning grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy
The multi-year grant will support the community engagement, park design, and environmental compliance work critical to the next phase of the Petaluma River Park’s development.

Petaluma, CA – December 5, 2022 – The California State Coastal Conservancy’s (SCC) board of directors has unanimously voted to approve a request for funding from the Petaluma-based non-profit organization, Petaluma River Park Foundation (PRPF). The grant authorizes up to $1,395,800 to the Foundation for community engagement, park design development, and environmental review. The funding will support the lion’s share of the planning and design of the Petaluma River Park—a new 24-acre waterfront, public park in Sonoma County—and represents a significant investment in an inclusive development process that will involve the broader Petaluma community in the Park’s creation.

"This is a huge accomplishment for the River Park and very exciting news for Petaluma, Sonoma County, and beyond,” states Jorge Servin, PRPF board member. “This grant will assist in funding our plan to work closely with the public over the next couple of years to design the community park that truly reflects the needs and dreams of all of our community members.”

PRPF was founded in 2019 with the sole purpose of developing Petaluma’s centrally located riverfront McNear Peninsula into a public park that connects people, art, and nature. PRPF acquired the park property in November of 2020 exclusively with private funds contributed from over 400 community members.

The grant is the first state funding for the project and builds on a matching grant awarded to PRPF by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District in 2021. “We're thrilled to have the state's support of this project and look forward to a long-term partnership with the Coastal Conservancy as we move through planning and design and get ready for construction," says PRPF Executive Director Seair Lorentz.

The SCC grant covers three years and supports several major pieces of planning, including, a Vision and Concept Plan for both habitat restoration and public access of the property; an Equitable Development Plan (EDP) that considers community needs in how the River Park is built and how it will be operated; a schematic site-plan; specific park component designs; permit applications; and environmental review documents in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Community engagement work will begin early in 2023 with the goal of confirming a final concept and site plan by the end of 2024 and permitting by the end of 2025. Restoration and construction on the River Park property are expected to begin in 2025.

“While this funding is extremely significant, it does not represent the full cost of getting the park to shovels-in-the-ground,” states Lorentz. “The grant funds much—but not all—of the long-term planning work for the final park design, and meanwhile we are operating a privately-owned public park now. Petaluma River Park is currently open every day. So, the community's support is just as important as ever.”

Building on a decades-old vision for Petaluma that’s ready for the future

The Petaluma River Park project builds on ongoing visioning, planning, and civic efforts to restore and improve access to the Petaluma River since the 1990s. Several of these ongoing initiatives in the Petaluma Watershed have received significant SCC investments in the past, including such projects as Shollenberger Park, Ellis Creek, and the newly-opened Floathouse: Boat Rental Center.

“The Coastal Conservancy is deeply committed to equitable access to parks and open spaces and has a long history of supporting public access to the Petaluma River including trails, footpaths, and ecological restoration along this ‘green ribbon,’” states Moira McEnespy, San Francisco Bay Program Manager at the State Coastal Conservancy.

With SCC support, the City of Petaluma developed and adopted a River Enhancement Plan back in 1996. The 300-page document outlines a detailed, grand, and inspiring vision for a city-wide system of riverfront trails and public parks. Today, these visionary plans are getting renewed attention as the City and world prepare for sea-level rise and the impacts of climate change.

“The City of Petaluma is thrilled to have a non-profit take the helm of the River Park project, bringing their energy and community focus to the realization of a 26-year-old City plan for a riverfront park,” says Peggy Flynn, city manager of Petaluma.

“The proposed public access, art programming, and habitat improvements on the River Park property will create an important cultural and recreational, river-oriented asset that fulfills a major component of the City's River Plan and matches the priorities of Petaluma residents. The timing is truly perfect for this Park’s creation as several complementary river access and restoration initiatives are currently underway,” states Flynn.

“What is truly exciting about this project, and this grant, is how it’s part of a larger vision to restore habitat along the Petaluma River and to create world-class, public river access for our greater community,” says PRPF Executive Director Seair Lorentz. “It’s exactly the kind of investment in centrally located, climate-smart, public open space that we need to create a livable, resilient, and climate-ready future Petaluma.”

Centering equity and building a park for all

A noteworthy piece of the work plan funded by the SCC grant is a robust suite of community engagement initiatives and activities. The SCC funds will, in part, support the hiring of a community engagement manager for PRPF and a two-year-long process through which PRPF will collaborate with the community to conceptualize the River Park’s final amenities and site plan.         

“Petaluma River Park is a tremendous opportunity to add a major park in the city’s center, and it will be designed from the ground up with input and engagement from the surrounding communities,” notes McEnespy.

Specifically, the grant supports the development of an Equitable Development Plan which will examine the potential impacts of a park development of this scale on surrounding neighborhoods. Investment in early planning to mitigate unintended community displacement around park developments is a rising trend in the field as park builders have come to realize that many large-scale park projects often lead to inflated property values and thus the displacement of the communities these projects were originally intended to serve.

“The initial phases of this project include community visioning and an Equitable Development Plan (EDP) to ensure equitable benefits from park-related development for Petaluma residents.  The EDP will specifically lay out economic benefits and create strategies to mitigate potential unintended effects such as economic, cultural, and physical displacement,” states McEnespy. “The Conservancy is wholly supportive of this level of meaningful community engagement.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Seair Lorentz s.lorentz at petalumariverpark.org | 415.300.7358

November 2022

Co-creating a park for all
Thoughts from PRPF Board Member, Ana Cordova Belik

Everyone belongs at Petaluma River Park. More than 400 community members came together to purchase these beautiful 24-acres on McNear Peninsula, and almost 200 more people joined in to install the new loop trail this year. Together, we are turning Petaluma River Park into a vibrant, welcoming shared space that fosters a love of nature, sparks creativity, and unifies our community for generations to come.

“From the first time I heard about the project, I was hooked,” said Ana Cordova Belik, Petaluma River Park Foundation board member and family mentor at Petaluma Family Resource Center. “We’re getting to know people, finding out what they want to see at the Park, and we’re strengthening relationships along the way.” 

Having installed an accessible mile-long loop trail, people are starting to make the River Park part of their regular routine. Park volunteers are tabling at community events where people share their thoughts, and every first Saturday of the month, we lead visitors around the land, talk about progress to date, answer questions, and listen to the new ideas that bubble up. 

What are we hearing? Some suggestions include trees (hundreds of them!), shade structures, community gardens, an amphitheater, fishing docks, kayak launches, a playground, sculpture, and more. This is just the beginning of our listening and we look forward to hearing all of what people would like to see under the umbrella of our mission to meet our vital need for shared space that connects people, art, and nature.  

“As a visual person, I love that we’re bringing art together with nature,” Ana said. “We all need a quiet space to feel centered and grounded, to think and be inspired.”

The State Coastal Conservancy has invited the Petaluma River Park Foundation to submit a grant proposal to fund an inclusive planning process, as well as the permitting to get us to a place where we are ready to build. They are especially interested because of the high level of community support the River Park project enjoys. 

“My experience on the Board has been very exciting. We have a commitment to hear many voices and make sure all members of our community are part of the process. This truly is a place for everyone.”

September 2022

A Update from our Executive Director

Dear Friends, Family, Supporters, and Newcomers to the River Park, 

I’m writing to you from the new Petaluma River Park Foundation headquarters at the Foundry Wharf. Whenever I need inspiration for the work of standing up an effort to co-create a park for all, I need only lift my eyes above my computer screen to gaze through our open sliding glass doors, over the river, and onto the park. There I see the moms walk with strollers, the birders spy with binoculars, and the bikers ride with baskets along the Park’s new accessible trail. They are experiencing Petaluma as few had done before November 2020, when we acquired the land. They are feeling the cool afternoon breeze, looking over the busy-ness of the town, while catching glimpses of the jackrabbits, egrets, and butterflies–all from these quiet 24 acres that hide in plain sight.

None of us can imagine right now exactly what Petaluma River Park will be and how it will transform the way we build community. But we do know it will be a central gathering place where people, art, and nature come together to inspire and connect us. It is already becoming that place. And you are a big reason for that. Your support and enthusiasm for this project has gotten us to where we are now, in short order, and the future is upon us. 

We’re writing to celebrate with you all what we’ve accomplished together so far. Like the soaring brief of American White Pelicans who fly high above the Park, I invite you to take a birds-eye view on this project, and continue to dream with me what is to become. 

In gratitude,

Seair Lorentz, Executive Director

July 2022

Improving Access to Petaluma River Park

We're excited to announce that the new 1.3 mile, all-access trail is complete and ready for you to enjoy! Previously, the property had a primitive, single track trail around the perimeter of the 24-acre park. As part of our effort to make the park immediately accessible and open to all visitors, we have upgraded the trail to a 6-foot wide, all-access path. That's right, whether you travel by wheelchair, bike, or stroller, the improved trail accommodates nearly all mobilities.

Trail upgrade plans completed by our partners, Prunuske Chatham, Inc.

But wait, I thought the Park wasn't designed yet?
Correct! We are as committed as ever to including your voice and vision in the design of Petaluma River Park. However, while we move forward with our listening program, we want people to be able to use and enjoy the park as soon as possible. The old path was too rough for many to use, so we are excited to announce the completion of this smooth and easy new trail.

May 2022

An Update on the Unhoused Community at the Park:

The parking lot and path out to Petaluma River Park, known as Steamer Landing Park, is owned and managed by the City of Petaluma. In October of 2021 a Federal judge blocked the City of Petaluma from taking any action to remove individuals from the property until they saw evidence of adequate alternative housing solutions being provided. This injunction was recently terminated on May 12, 2022. Currently the City of Petaluma is working closely with service providers, such as COTS and others, to transition members of the Steamer Landing community into alternative housing and programs.

Thank you to those who have contacted us to share your perspectives. We share in your concern and are actively working with the City and our community partners to find a resolution grounded in compassion for all human experiences.

We, as Petaluma River Park's leadership, are not experts in the complicated and systemic challenges embedded in the unhoused experience. We are residents building a park who are committed to treating every member of our community with dignity and respect. Our approach is to continue to learn from and support our community partners who are the experts in this matter, while doing our best to be sure Petaluma River Park is a safe and welcoming space for all Petalumans.

One of the best ways we can all help is to know the facts of the situation. COTS has compiled a very informative FAQ on the Steamer Landing encampment, which includes details on the Interim Housing Solution project, a.k.a. the 'People's Village.' We encourage you to read and share this info and to join us in supporting COTS and Petaluma Downtown Streets Team, two organization's working directly with people experiencing homelessness in our community and the ones best poised to achieve a resolution on this matter.

While Petaluma River Park remains open to the public, we want to be upfront that some people may not feel comfortable visiting the Park at this time. We appreciate your patience while we work with the City and service providers to address the situation in the coming weeks. We also invite you to join one of our monthly First Saturday Walk & Talks should you feel more comfortable visiting the River Park with a guided group.

Looking to get more informed or involved on this issue?

Visit the City of Petaluma’s webpage: Pathway to Housing for information on the various support services provided by the City and community service providers.

City of Petaluma: Community Workshop on Homeless Services
Over the past year, the City of Petaluma has been developing a strategic action plan to effectively address homelessness in our community. Please join us on Tuesday, May 31, from 6 to 8:30pm at the Petaluma Community Center, for a Community Workshop. More info at https://cityofpetaluma.org/event/homelessservicesworkshop/

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FAQ’S ON THE ENCAMPMENT & ‘PEOPLE’S VILLAGE’

November 2021

Announcing our New Executive Director

A Letter from Our Acting Executive Director, Matt Stone

I have some important and exciting news to share. We are fast approaching the first birthday of the Petaluma River Park which we acquired on Nov 20th, 2020. In these last 12 months, much incredible work has been done to fulfill the Park's mission to meet our vital need for shared space that connects people, art and nature.

In the past year we have continued to raise funds towards park construction. With a one million dollar Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District Matching Grant secured, the next dollars we raise are effectively doubled by the County. Our private donors continue to step up enabling us to open the park informally and build construction reserves. In partnership with Sonoma Land Trust we assembled 10 community organizations to help us plan the public outreach process that we will implement during 2022. And, with support from local park advocates Pete and Ginnie Haas, we completed a strategic planning process yielding a roadmap that will keep us consistently focused on clearly articulated milestones and goals. One of the strategic plan’s first deliverables was to transform the Petaluma River Park Foundation from an all volunteer organization to a professional operation with key staff necessary to carry the complex project through to completion. The Park’s exciting potential and importance for the community calls for this change.

Successful organizations benefit from consistent and competent leadership possessing the skills to meet the challenges of the moment. With this in mind, I am thrilled to announce that we have such a person in house. Seair Lorentz, who has been a pillar of the organization since its founding, has agreed to step into the role of full time Executive Director.

Born and raised in Petaluma, Seair possesses comprehensive private and public sector experience that includes the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, The Culinary Institute of America, and most recently Redwood Hill Farm. She has a Masters in Business and Administration with a focus on the art and culture sector. This background combined with her proven passion for the Park make her the ideal candidate to lead the Petaluma River Park Foundation. She will start on January 1st. I will continue to support the work of the Park - concentrating on Public/Private Partner Relationships.

We will be sharing this announcement with the public in the coming weeks but I wanted to share this special news and my excitement for the turbo boost Seair will bring as she is able to devote her talents and energy, full time, to the mission and vision of Petaluma River Park.

Thank you for all that you have done to support the creation of the Petaluma River Park. We look forward to the work ahead.

-Matt Stone, Acting Executive Director

March 2021

Petaluma River Park Awarded $1M Matching Grant from Sonoma County Ag & Open Space

We are elated to announce that Petaluma River Park Foundation’s $1M matching grant application to Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District’s 2020 Matching Grant Program received favorable review from staff, as well as the Advisory Committee, and has been approved by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. We take seriously the vote of confidence that accompanies this tax payer-sourced funding and plan to use the funds wisely and with humility. Click here for more info about the Matching Grant Program.

This $1M matching grant proposal will fund Master Design, Plan Development and Phase 1 construction. To execute this phase of the park design and build, we are delighted to be working in partnership with Sonoma County-based landscape architects Prunuske Chatham, Inc. (PCI). PCI is widely respected in Sonoma County and beyond and has a strong background in developing habitat-sensitive outdoor places, including a robust public park portfolio. We are certain we will be able to create a world-class park in the heart of Petaluma.

November 2020

We have acquired the future-park property!

We have met our first goal of raising $1.055M and are set to purchase the northern end of Petaluma’s McNear Peninsula. Located just off D Street and through Steamer Landing, the 20 acres of undeveloped waterfront property will be the future home of Petaluma River Park, a combined park, event venue, and a gathering place for residents and visitors of all ages. We are scheduled to close escrow on the property on Friday, November 20, 2020.

With over two-thirds of the purchase price raised by July 2020, our effort was bolstered by a $175,000 matching challenge grant presented by local park advocates, Ginnie & Peter Haas. In just eight weeks, our community—you—rallied to meet the challenge, raising the remaining funds to purchase the future-park property. We are proud to report that nearly all of the acquisition funds for the property have come from individual donors and private foundations—over 400 community members to-date—and a few local businesses.

When will it open!? With public service at the fore, we want to open the River Park to the public as soon as possible. Once insurance, sanitary services, and basic maintenance and security for the property are in place, we're planning a soft opening to the Park in early 2021!

From all of us here at the Petaluma River Park, we thank each and every one of you!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE

September 2020

Community Engagement

To succeed in our mission to build a truly public park - a park for everyone - we must be sure that all stakeholders have a seat at the planning table and that our leadership represents an intersection of our communities. To that end, we are building connections and generating awareness for the project among a variety of constituencies, including the Latinx community, communities of faith, people experiencing homelessness, and organizations in environmental education and the arts. In partnership with the Sonoma Land Trust, we have received a grant from Ginnie & Peter Haas for a robust community engagement program to involve all members of the community in the creation of the park. A community engagement program will launch in early 2021 with an initial 6-month planning phase run by a coalition of mission-aligned local organizations, including Friends of the Petaluma River, Point Blue Conservation Science, and Downtown Streets Team, among others.

August 2020

Letters of Support

As part of our grant application, we have secured letters of support from key local mission-related organizations, government agencies, and officials. These include The Friends of the Petaluma River, the Petaluma Downtown Association, Point Blue Conservation Science, Daily Acts, COTS/Downtown Streets Team, Petaluma Small Craft Center and Petaluma Wetlands Alliance.

August 2020

Contribution from Scannell Properties

The City has confirmed that Scannell Properties, developers of the old Pomeroy property between Lakeville and the McNear Channel, submitted a preliminary plan proposal for their project that includes the offer of a donation of $1M to the Petaluma River Park Foundation in lieu of creating internal “pocket park” green spaces. Scannell has formally confirmed this in a letter to us thereby providing strong evidence of our ability to generate the funds to match the Ag & Open Space grant once their project is approved by the City. Furthermore, Amy’s Kitchen is the prospective anchor tenant for the commercial portion of the Scannell development (Amy’s has signaled an interest in providing material support).

July 2020

Ginnie & Peter Haas CHALLENGE GRANT

Local park advocates, Ginnie & Peter Haas, have stepped forward and bolstered our efforts by presenting a challenge grant of $175,000 to help us achieve our fundraising goal by November 2020. If we meet their challenge, we will have funding necessary to complete the purchase of the McNear peninsula property. Along with their timely gift, Ginnie and Peter have pledged ongoing and thoughtful support to help the Petaluma River Park Foundation with capacity building, strategic planning and Community Engagement. We are thrilled and honored by their offer of partnership.

June 2020

Partnership with the City of Petaluma

On June 1, 2020, the City of Petaluma passed a resolution officially supporting our project. Additionally, we’ve worked closely with city officials on our application for the Ag & Open Space grant and developed plans with them to resolve issues of entitlement and access to the property. We have received the full support of City Mayor Teresa Barrett, her City Council colleagues and the City Manager and her staff.