Sonoma County Regional Parks  

Sonoma County Regional Parks Trails Challenge    

 

Sonoma County Regional Parks Newsletter
June 2015 Edition
In This Edition
Contact Us:

Sonoma County Regional Parks

2300 County Center Dr, 120A

Santa Rosa, California 95403 

 

Main Office:

(707) 565-2041

 
Camping Reservations -
Mon-Fri 10am-3pm: 
(707) 565-2267 
  
FAX:
(707) 579-8247
 

Email Contacts:

 

General Information

Volunteering

 

Tolay Lake Regional Park Day-Use Permit Program

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Welcome to Sonoma County Regional Parks' June 2015 newsletter featuring the latest on the Trails Challenge, trail openings at Taylor Mountain and Sonoma Valley, July 4th celebrations and more!
It's Trails Challenge Time! Where will you hike? 
Sonoma County Regional Parks Trails Challenge logo Our Trails Challenge is back for a second summer with hikes on some brand new trails and new ways to win prizes. Explore the beauty of Sonoma County and stay active by hiking at least five parks in the updated Trails Challenge guidebook (28.73 MB). You'll get a free water bottle or other prize, and if you post a Trails Challenge selfie on our Facebook page, you'll be eligible for park membership giveaways and surprise gifts. Kids also will get an official "Trails Challenge Explorer" certificate. You're invited to hike on your own, with family and friends, with your dog, and on guided outings. Hikes of all levels are planned this month for Sonoma Valley, Gunsight Rock at Hood Mountain, North Sonoma Mountain and Ragle Ranch. Download your free guidebook, and let's go hiking!
 
Many thanks to Sonoma County Health Services for co-sponsoring the Trails Challenge.
Taylor Mountain Gets New Entrance, Trailhead
Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve We're happy to announce a major addition to Taylor Mountain Regional Park & Open Space Preserve. A new trailhead and parking lot along Petaluma Hill Road are opening June 13. We're celebrating with an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting and guided hikes along the 1.2-mile Redtail Trail loop built by our volunteer partners at the Sonoma County Trails Council. (The loop has a .2-mile connector to the park's existing trail system and is part of the Trails Challenge.) The expanded access is a milestone for the park and the community, and we hope you'll join us or visit soon. Next up for Taylor Mountain is a "natural" play area, and we'll schedule design workshops soon. 
 
Sonoma Valley Gets a Lovely New Trail Too
Sonoma Valley Regional ParkSonoma Valley Regional Park is even prettier these days. We've opened a 29-acre addition to the north side of the park and are showing off the beautiful views and oaks on a series of guided walks. Local author Arthur Dawson is leading a historical ecology walk this Saturday. (There are only a few spots available.) We're leading a nature hike at 9 a.m. Sunday, no registration needed. And our partners at Sonoma Land Trust will lead a June 20th walk focused on the property's significance to the Sonoma Valley Wildlife Corridor. The Land Trust bought the property last year with support from the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District, and immediately transferred it to us for a park addition. These walks are all easy-paced, cover about 1.5 miles round trip, and are part of the Trails Challenge. 
 
Celebrate July 4th on Taylor Mountain
fireworks A picnic blanket at Taylor Mountain is absolutely one of the best vantage points for July 4th fireworks. A night hike, dinner, and fireworks-watching is a Taylor Mountain tradition started by our friends at LandPaths, and we're happy to be organizing the fun this year. Bring your family, friends, food, flashlights ... and sense of adventure. You'll be wowed by the sunset, the fireworks, and the feeling of community. Spots are limited, so sign up at http://taylorfireworks.brownpapertickets.com. 
  
Seeing Some Strange Backpacks? It's Google
Google trekkerWhile you're enjoying the parks this month, you may encounter a hiker with a really odd-looking backpack. That would be someone with Google Trekker, a project that films trails and other remote locations for Google "Street View." Hikers wearing backpack cameras are filming Doran Beach, Foothill, Hood Mountain, and about a dozen other Regional Parks this month in order to offer 360-degree trail views on Google maps. The images will be live probably later this year, and of course, we'll let you know as soon as they're up.

Lifeguard Camp is for Superheroes
Junior Lifeguard Camp Our Open Water Junior Lifeguard Camps are filling fast, with a few spots left for sessions at Spring Lake and Doran Beach. Each session has a fun theme - like superhero training - and campers will learn water rescue and first aid skills. Doran Beach campers also learn to surf! Reserve a spot now