For Immediate Release

The public is invited to attend the grand opening of a new trail at Cloverdale River Park at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2004. This one-mile paved trail is the only public multi-use trail along the entire 100-mile length of the Russian River.

The grand opening will take place at the north end of the park, in the parking lot off McCray Road. The Cloverdale Fire Protection District Color Guard will provide a ceremony for presenting and retiring the colors. Guest speakers will include Supervisor Paul Kelley, Cloverdale Mayor Gus Wolter and Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District General Manager Andrea Mackenzie. Citrus Fair Queen Madison Holsinger will perform the ribbon cutting. Following the opening ceremonies, a representative from the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians will be blessing the Russian River. Refreshments will be provided.

The new trail meanders along the Russian River from East 1st Street to the north end of the park, with a bridge across Oat Valley Creek. The trail links the Sonoma County and the City of Cloverdale parks that form the Cloverdale River Park. Additional park work included the construction of new parking on the south side of the park, native tree and shrub planting and re-vegetation, and irrigation work.

Since the early 1990's, the City of Cloverdale, the County of Sonoma, and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (SCAPOSD) have worked together to acquire and develop a new regional park in the north county. The Cloverdale River Park is comprised of land owned by the City of Cloverdale, and land purchased by SCAPOSD and deeded to Sonoma County Regional Parks.

Phase 1 Improvements were completed in November of 2000 and consisted of parking, group and family picnic sites, fencing, landscaping and irrigation on the north end of the park.

The planning, design and construction of these recent Phase 2 improvements at Cloverdale River Park was accomplished jointly by the City of Cloverdale and the County of Sonoma. The project was funded by a Riparian and Riverine Habitat grant from the State of California in the amount of $406,744.00, and City and County park impact fees. This partnership, including the support of the SCAPOSD, is a model of how several separate entities can work together towards a common goal for the benefit of the public and the environment.

For additional information, contact the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department at (707) 565-2041 or the City of Cloverdale at (707) 894-2521.