The majority of McNear Peninsula was for sale for decades and was but a dream as a public park before a handful of local residents became determined to buy it for the community’s benefit.

July 2019:  The Petaluma River Park Foundation is established with founding boar members

David Duskin, Darling Gonzalez, Sean Paul Lorentz, Seair Lorentz, and Susan Rockrise.

Shown above (l-r):  David Duskin, Darling Gonzalez, Sean Paul Lorentz, Seair Lorentz

2019- The public is invited to Town Hall meetings at the Petaluma Hotel and Library; group presents vision along with scale model of park.

February 2019:  Land purchase negotiation begins with property owners, the McNear family, and brokered by Timo Rivetti. The McKegney Family steps up with an inaugural donation that enables the Foundation to enter escrow—and the gift of Huru, an internationally renowned sculpture by artist Mark di Suvero that is committed to the future River Park on long-term loan.

August 2019- Interest in helping grows and leads to a volunteer planning group called the Captains.

September, 2019:  An Evening on the River is held to raise awareness and funds, with the sponsorship of 125 local businesses.

2020: Captains group continues to meet weekly by Zoom throughout the pandemic to continue building momentum and support.

November 2020: Land purchased with $1.3 million raised through transformational gifts from an anonymous donor, the Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund and more than 400 other supporters.

December 2020:  Matt Stone becomes Acting Executive Director. Above (l-r) Polly & MattStone

January 2021:  Barbed wire fencing is removed and trail clearing around the park’s perimeter begins.

March 2021:  $1 million grant awarded from Sonoma County Ag & Open Space.

In partnership with Sonoma Land Trust and with funding from the Peter E. Haas, Jr. Family Fund, Petaluma River Park Foundation convened a Community Coalition of 14 nonprofit leaders to research and outline how best to engage diverse members of our community in park planning.

December 2021:  The Park Foundation’s Board of Directors expands beyond founders to represent the diversity and breadth of the communities of Petaluma.

January 2022: In January, Seair Lorentz steps into full-time role of Executive Director and a few months later Marge Limbert is hired as Development Director. Above (l-r): Seair Lorentz and Marge Limbert.

February 2022: River Park Foundation volunteers begin taking people on walks around the property the first Saturday of each month.

July 2022: a 1.3-mile deer trail on the property is converted to a all-access path, making it able to accommodate those using wheelchairs, bikes, strollers, or those who need stable footing. Volunteers continue to improve the trail on workdays.

August 2022:  River Park Foundation volunteers fan out and join community events to invite people to use the park and offer their ideas for its future construction.

December 2022:  The River Park Foundation receives $1.4 million multi-year planning grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy

Summer 2023: Fundraising for installing Huru begins; the sculpture is on loan from the McKegney family. It was gifted to Lowell McKegney by Mark di Suvero, in appreciation of their lifelong friendship.

Fall 2023: Launch of the Dream It phase of community-led planning; Kimzin Creative is hired to direct an art-forward strategy with a focus on involving historically marginalized communities.