NEWS RELEASE

Sonoma County Regional Parks, in partnership with the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, invite the public to attend the grand opening celebration of Riverfront Regional Park on Saturday, June 18, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Riverfront Regional Park is located at 7821 Eastside Road in Windsor.

The dedication ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the redwood grove picnic area, with guest speakers County Supervisor Paul Kelley, Windsor Mayor Steve Allen, Andrea Mackenzie - General Manager of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Bill Keene - Principal Environmental Specialist with the Sonoma County Water Agency, and Mary Burns – Director of Sonoma County Regional Parks. There will be light refreshments following the dedication. “The opening of Riverfront Park provides another wonderful opportunity for people to engage in healthy activities along one of Sonoma County’s most beloved natural features. I know this new park will become a very popular destination for residents and visitors alike”, said County Supervisor Paul Kelley.

Family activities during the day will include:
10am – 10:50

1. Birds of Riverfront Park with Ranger Brandon Bredo

11am-noon

1. Dedication ceremony & reception in group picnic area
2. Refreshments: coffee, juice, baked goods, bottled water

Noon – 1pm 

1. Park Development & Planning with Park Planner Joe Kase
2. Short hike on Redwood Hill trail to scenic overlook with Ranger Bill Trunick
3. Watershed ecosystem talk with Trout Unlimited staff

Noon – 2pm

1. Children’s eco-crafts & games with Environmental Discovery Center staff

1pm – 2pm

1. Plants of Riverfront Park with Ranger Bill Trunick
2. Fishing Demonstrations with Trout Unlimited staff

The 300-acre property includes former gravel pits, two of which will become recreational lakes for fishing and non-motorized boating as part of a five-phase project. This initial first phase of the project includes paved access driveway, 60 parking spaces, a redwood grove picnic areas and over two miles of trails.  Phase two of the project will tentatively be completed in the fall of 2005, and include a entrance kiosk building, permanent restroom, basic utilities, additional picnic sites, and a hill top hiking trail.

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and the Sonoma County Water Agency purchased Riverfront Regional Park in 2002. The Open Space District also provided a $459,000 matching grant to the Regional Parks Department to help facilitate park construction. An additional $100,000 in funding for park development came from Park Mitigation Fees.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and spend the day. For additional information on this event, or on Sonoma County’s 41 Regional Parks, call (707) 565-2041 or visit www.sonoma-county.org/parks. Information on the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District can be found at www.sonomaopenspace.org .