Petaluma River Park Foundation Secures $2 Million State Appropriation for Park Development and Stewardship
PETALUMA, Calif., - October 7, 2025 — The Petaluma River Park Foundation (the Foundation), a nonprofit organization that is building Petaluma River Park in the heart of Petaluma that connects people, art, and nature, announced today that the State of California has finalized a $2 million appropriation in the 2025–26 State Budget to support its first phase of development and long-term stewardship of Petaluma River Park. The funding, included in Senate Bill 105 by State Senator Mike McGuire and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, represents a historic investment in the future of the River Park and the community it serves.
“This appropriation is a transformative moment for our organization and for the community,” said Seair Lorentz, executive director of the Petaluma River Park Foundation. “With this major public investment, the State of California is affirming the importance of restoring the banks of the Petaluma River, expanding equitable public access, and ensuring this special place thrives as an economic and natural resource for our region for generations to come.”
The funds, administered through the California Coastal Commission and the City of Petaluma, will allow the Foundation to continue its mission to:
Enhance public access to the riverfront.
Create and restore vital wetland and upland habitats along the Petaluma River.
Build infrastructure to support recreation, education, and community gatherings.
Advance long-term operations and maintenance of Petaluma River Park.
Public/Private Partnership
Creating a vibrant urban riverfront park depends on a robust public/private partnership. Government appropriations and grant support provide a vital foundation, and still philanthropic contributions, corporate partnerships, and broad community support are essential to bringing the full vision of the River Park to life. In today’s environment, where public resources are stretched thin, these partnerships are more important than ever. They ensure both the financial viability of transformative projects like the Petaluma River Park, and also the broad-based support and shared ownership that make public spaces enduring and truly reflective of the communities they serve.
“Public investment opens the door, but it will take all of us, residents, donors, businesses, and civic partners, to build and sustain this park for generations,” added Foundation board chair, David Duskin. “This is a collective effort to create a shared place for everyone.”
Located along Petaluma’s historic riverfront, Petaluma River Park is owned and managed by the Foundation, which is transforming and restoring 35 acres of riverfront land into a vibrant, welcoming park designed in partnership with the community and guided by the highest standards of environmental stewardship. Since its founding in 2019, the Foundation has engaged a wide range of community members to shape how the park can best serve nature and the people of Petaluma, Sonoma County, and beyond. Now the Foundation is obtaining permits, finalizing design, and seeking funding for its next phase of development and long-term stewardship. The Foundation extends its gratitude to Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, the City of Petaluma, the California Coastal Commission, and the many community champions who helped make this appropriation possible.
About Petaluma Park Foundation
Founded in 2019, the Petaluma River Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating and stewarding Petaluma River Park—a rare expanse of riverfront parkland in the heart of downtown Petaluma. The Foundation owns and manages 35 acres across two sites: the McNear Peninsula, now open to the public in its raw and spectacular setting, and the adjacent Hopper Street property, which will welcome visitors in the coming years. Through an inclusive and equitable planning process, the Foundation is leading ecological restoration, thoughtful design, and phased construction to transform this landscape into a world-class waterfront park. With the support of the community, the Park is becoming a dynamic place where people, art, and nature come together—realizing lasting public and environmental benefits for generations to come.
###
Media Contact
Alissa Bushnell
For Petaluma River Park
alissa.bushnell@104west.com | C: 415-235-9532