NEWS RELEASE

Hood Mountain Regional Park, a 1450-acre expanse of wilderness located on the east side of Santa Rosa with stunning views of Sonoma Valley, reopened today for public access. The park has been closed since January 1st, when storms washed out the main park entry road and caused damage throughout the park.

Temporary repairs to the road slide area, and the construction of a new path past the slide now allow foot and bicycle traffic into the park. Regional Parks worked with the Sonoma County Probation Camp, BACE Geotechnical Engineers and volunteers to provide interim safety and drainage improvements, clear downed trees, and prevent the landslide from getting worse. There are currently seven FEMA funded repair projects taking place in the park, and additional storm related repair work will be ongoing. Park visitors will park in the upper lot, and walk the last .6 mile down Los Alamos road to the trail heads. Park staff hope to reopen lower parking lot in late 2007.

Hood Mountain Regional Park is located at 3000 Los Alamos Road off Highway 12 in Santa Rosa. The park is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to sunset Friday through Monday, and holidays. There is a $5 per car parking fee, and no potable water is available in the park. For additional information visit the Regional Parks website at www.sonoma-county.org/parks or call (707) 539-8092.