Petaluma River Park Acquires 38 More Acres!
On Monday, January 8, 2024, the Petaluma River Park Foundation purchased of a second riverfront property: 38-acres located at 500 Hopper Street in Petaluma. Adding to the 24 acres of the McNear Peninsula purchased as parkland with in 2020, the acquisition more than doubles the land under the Foundation’s stewardship and will transform our city’s center into a thriving riverside park and cultural hub. We are purchasing the land from Scannell Properties with funds from a generous anonymous donor alongside Ginnie & Pete Haas.
The creative transformation of this former industrial site will have numerous benefits, including an expanded riverfront park and public commons, the restoration of vital wetland and upland habitat, and the completion of a critical segment of a city-wide riverfront trail system for pedestrians and bikers. To envision the complete plan, we will continue to follow our community-led development approach, moving slowly in order to explore the highest and best uses for the property together with partners and including all voices in the process. Time is on our side now that the property is in the hands of the local community.
“We believe that the Petaluma River Park Foundation is the ideal steward for this land. It is important to preserve this open space for current and future generations to enjoy. We are delighted to contribute to making this park a reality for Petaluma and hope others will join us in the effort.”
A New Park Along a Restored Riverfront
Centrally located and easily accessible by foot, bike, bus, or SMART rail, the expansion would provide unprecedented access to the river and open space in our city’s center. Plans include the creation of new riverfront trail, which would provide a critical missing link in the completion of the city-wide bike and pedestrian trail system outlined in the 1996 River Enhancement Plan. The trail will eventually connect to existing trails and parks in the southern part of the city, such as Alman Marsh and Shollenberger Park, creating a highly desirable, off-surface street, bike and pedestrian route throughout a large portion of the city. The new trail segment would also add to the Bay Area Ridge Trail and Bay Area Water Trail, promoting Petaluma as a new regional destination for outdoor recreation.
One goal of note is the desired creation of a pedestrian bridge between the new property and the existing Petaluma River Park on the McNear Peninsula. Such a bridge would connect the two River Park properties and connect the southern riverfront trail systems described above to the downtown and west side neighborhoods of Petaluma—doing much to improve the bike- and walk-ability of our city.
Newly acquired 38-acre property (foreground) and current Petaluma River Park on the McNear Peninsula.
Together with our partners and neighbors, including environmental Consultants Prunuske Chatham Inc, Point Blue Conservation Science, and Friends of the Petaluma River, we will provide consistent, evidence-based habitat restoration and sea level rise resilience planning for this degraded piece of riverfront. The Foundation intends to involve the community directly in the restoration and stewardship process through programs such as Point Blue’s STRAW program (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed) and others. The ultimate goal is that the restoration of the wetland and upland habitats on both sides of the McNear Canal will create a living, outdoor classroom where students and the public can learn about and engage with this unique ecosystem in an intimate and ongoing way.
38 Acres Under Local Control
The Foundation will continue to follow its ‘go-slow, get it right’ strategy, which emphasizes a community-centric approach through extensive public engagement and partnerships with community-based organizations. Thirty-eight acres in the heart of the city presents a lot of opportunity to explore how the community can best put this land to use. The Foundation is excited to convene all the creative energy and thoughtful expertise that Petaluma is famous for to imagine how this riverfront land can be transformed into a vibrant city center that could include housing, a community center, maker spaces, and other amenities that complement the primary goal of shared community space, river access, and an expanded park.
This important acquisition has garnered enthusiastic support from the City of Petaluma as it helps make real the City’s 25-year vision to enhance riverfront restoration and access.
“The City of Petaluma is thrilled to embrace this transformative acquisition by the Petaluma River Park Foundation. The purchase of the 38-acre riverfront property not only aligns with our long-standing commitment to riverfront restoration and public access to the River, but also opens a gateway to a brighter, more accessible climate-smart future for our community. This collaborative effort promises a vibrant riverfront park, improved connectivity, and potentially affordable housing options—all essential elements in our vision for a thriving Petaluma. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the Foundation and the entire community to shape this promising chapter in our city’s history.”
When will the new property be open to the public?
The new property won’t be ready for public access for some time. You can get a nice view of it from the current and open Petaluma River Park, located at Copeland and D Street. When you are out on the River Park trail, it’s the vacant land that is across the McNear Canal between the Shamrock Cement Plant and the new Riverfront Housing and Courtyard Marriott. Sign up for our mailing list to get updates on the project’s development.
join us!
We encourage every member of the community to join us on this exciting journey as we unlock the immense potential of this remarkable riverfront property, propelling Petaluma into a brighter and more connected future. Get in touch with the Foundation here, submit your ideas for the River Park via this online survey, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for our email list to stay tuned for opportunities to give input on the Petaluma River Park through public planning workshops coming up in Summer 2024.