Petaluma River Park Foundation Unveils Draft Plans for Park Development & Invites Community Feedback
PETALUMA, Calif., (July 10, 2024)—Petaluma River Park Foundation (the Foundation) announced today that they will unveil draft plans for the future Petaluma River Park after years of community engagement and input on July 15, 2024. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization that stewards the River Park in the heart of Petaluma that connects people, art, and nature. It is made possible by philanthropic funds and community support, including a significant planning grant from the State Coastal Conservancy, which allows for the operations and building of the park.
This announcement of draft plans for the Petaluma River Park marks a significant milestone in transforming and restoring approximately 35 acres of riverfront land into a vibrant and welcoming new park developed hand-in-hand with the community and applying the highest standards of environmental stewardship. Beginning in 2021, the Foundation engaged a diverse array of community members, focusing on how the park can best serve the residents of Petaluma, the people of Sonoma County, and beyond. During this phase, the community helped create the River Park’s guiding principles (called the Spirit of the Park) and identify the park’s proposed features and amenities.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
The Foundation has ensured that the voices of Petaluma's diverse community are at the heart of the River Park's draft plans by implementing its ‘go-slow, get it right’ strategy, which emphasizes a community-centric approach through extensive public engagement and partnerships with community-based organizations. In alignment with that approach, the Foundation collaborated with consulting firms and experts to create the draft plans, including Bay Area landscape architecture and environmental planning firms CMG Landscape Architecture and Prunuske Chatham, Inc., local, equity-focused community engagement firm Kimzin Creative, and former CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and noted park visionary, Greg Moore.
The Foundation has taken a unique, community-led approach, integrating local residents into the design process. Together, Kimzin Creative and the Foundation designed a wide variety of culturally responsive and innovative ways for people to share their hopes and dreams for the Petaluma River Park. These methods have included Kimzin’s custom “art as data,” artist-led workshops; custom-designed coloring books for kids; an online survey; participation in local community festivals and events; presentations to interest groups, federal, state and city officials, donors, volunteers, and others; and meetings with key shareholders and technical experts.
In collaboration with Kimzin Creative, the Foundation gathered invaluable insights from local organizations such as Café Puente, Petaluma Blacks for Community Development through Grapevine Youth Leadership, AVANCE McDowell and McKinley Elementary Schools, Amor Para Todos, Petaluma Pride, Petaluma Boys and Girls Club, SRJC Petaluma OUR HOUSE Intercultural Center, COTS (Committee on the Shelterless), St. Vincent Church Petaluma, BlueZones Petaluma, Rivertown Revival Festival (2023), among others to inform the park's draft plan. This inclusive approach will create a space that reflects the community's hopes and dreams to ensure equitable and diverse voices are uplifted in the community engagement process.
Draft Plans and Community Feedback – How to Help
The draft plans for Petaluma River Park are now available for public review. Once again, the community is invited to share their thoughts and feedback through a survey on the Foundation's website and in person at any of three exhibit locations: the Foundation’s headquarters, the Petaluma Health Center, and the Petaluma Senior Center. Times and dates are listed below. Stop by during open hours to learn more about the community-led process and to give input and feedback on the draft plans.
Petaluma Health Center
1179 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954
August 1–August 31
Mon–Thurs (8 am–8 pm)
Petaluma Senior Center
211 Novak Dr, Petaluma, CA 94954
August 1–August 31
Mon–Thurs (8 am–4 pm) & Fri (10 am–2 pm)
Petaluma River Park Foundation Headquarters
159 H Street, Petaluma CA 94952
July 24–August 31
Wed–Fri (12 pm–5 pm)
Sat (10 am–2 pm)
The Petaluma River Park Foundation invites all community members to join them on this exciting journey as they unlock the potential of this unique riverfront property by reviewing the draft plans and providing feedback. Community input is crucial in selecting the features and amenities that best support the community's vision for an inclusive and accessible park. Visit the exhibit sites in person to review the draft plans and provide your input. If you can’t attend an exhibit, visit The Foundation’s website (https://www.petalumariverpark.org/) to take their survey online, available in English and Spanish. Continue to stay informed: sign up for their email list and follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, we encourage you to support the Petaluma River Park Foundation by volunteering or through donations.
Key Highlights of the Draft Plans
The draft plans for the Petaluma River Park highlight several key features designed to create an inclusive, nature-forward, and culturally rich public space. Here are the main features of the draft plans:
Nature-Forward Design
Habitat Creation and Restoration: Plans include restoring over three acres of tidal marsh, a mile of riverfront habitat, and over 15 acres of upland habitat, as well as creating, enhancing, and restoring other natural habitats such as riparian zones, and a vernal pool. This focus on ecological health enhances biodiversity, creates habitats for native wildlife, and addresses climate change through the park’s plantings and shoreline restoration.
Riverfront Access: The park will provide increased public access to the riverfront, the majority of which has been privatized for over a century.
Natural Oasis: Core park features will include picnic grounds, flexible playfields, trails, play areas, and other components immersed in nature, offering a natural refuge within the city.
Inclusive Spaces: A place for people to gather, play and mix
Accessibility: The plans feature accessible pathways, overlooks, playgrounds, and gathering areas to ensure it serves people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Flexible Recreational and Event Areas: There will be multipurpose, flexible spaces for activities such as performances, basketball, or yoga, along with extensive walking paths.
Gathering Spaces: Areas will be designated for communal activities, including spaces to prepare and share food for groups of all sizes.
Cultural and Artistic Celebration
Performing Arts Venues: The plans include a flexible amphitheater or pavilion that can accommodate performing arts, school group gatherings, or civic events, fostering a space for cultural expression and community events.
Historical Storytelling and Art: The draft plans include space for telling the important untold stories of historically under-represented Petaluma communities who have unique ties to the River Park site, including Chinese immigrants who helped create the site upon which the River Park is being developed, Coast Miwok tribal members who were the original stewards of this land, and our Latinx neighbors who represent the City’s largest immigrant population. Individuals from these communities will lead and provide input on story research and creative representation of the stories at the River Park.
Flexible and Multipurpose Design
Recreational Support: The park will support a variety of recreational activities with flexible ballcourts and spaces for classes and events.
River Access: Plans include beaches, piers, and kayak access to facilitate direct interaction with the river.
All of these features in the draft plans are designed to reflect the community's hopes and dreams, ensuring that the park is a welcoming and enriching space for all Petaluma residents and visitors. The community's feedback is crucial in finalizing these plans.
Timeline and Next Steps
The Foundation is collecting feedback on the draft plans through August and will present a final plan and possible phasing opportunities by Winter 2024. In 2025, the Foundation will work on a formal design, undergo environmental review, secure permits, and raise funds with the expectation of beginning construction in 2027 and completing the River Park in 2028.
ABOUT PETALUMA RIVER PARK
Petaluma River Park is a rare riverfront parkland in the heart of downtown Petaluma. It comprises approximately 35 acres of undeveloped land over two sites: on the McNear Peninsula and directly across the McNear Channel at 500 Hopper Street. The peninsula property is now open to the public in its raw, spectacular setting, and portions of the Hopper site are anticipated to open for public use in several years. The park is owned and managed by the Petaluma River Park Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed in 2019 with significant community support
Together with the community, the Petaluma River Park Foundation is engaged in an inclusive and equitable planning process to achieve the many potential public and ecological benefits of this land. Learn more by visiting www.petalumariverpark.org.
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Media contact:
Daniela Leyva
Petaluma River Park
d.leyva@petalumariverpark.org
C: 510-304-4353
Alissa Bushnell
For Petaluma River Park
C 415-235-9532
alissa.bushnell@104west.com
