Southeast Greenway 2016 – The Time is Now!

In October, the Santa Rosa City Council took a big step forward to realize the vision of a Greenway to Spring Lake. The City Council voted unanimously to begin a General Plan amendment process for the Caltrans right-of-way property – the future Southeast Greenway. This process will launch in 2016 and there will be many opportunities for the community to participate and provide comments and ideas.

One of these opportunities will be on Saturday, February 20, 2016, when everyone is invited to attend a free two-hour public meeting at Montgomery High School to find out how to participate in the City’s General Plan amendment process.

At the meeting, there will a chance to meet the members of the Southeast Greenway Community Partnership, which includes the City of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County Water Agency, Sonoma County Regional Parks, LandPaths, the Sonoma Land Trust and the Southeast Greenway Campaign itself.  You will hear from:

Dave Koehler, Sonoma Land Trust’s new Executive Director and keynote speaker, who will describe his role in the creation of the San Joaquin River Parkway. His colleagues will explain how the Sonoma Land Trust is playing a leadership role in our negotiations with Caltrans, and coordinating fund-raising to purchase the property from Caltrans. City staff will explain the steps in the City’s process which includes hiring consultants to develop a land use concept plan, preparing a General Plan amendment, zoning designation and an Environmental Impact Report for the Greenway. City staff will also describe the many opportunities for public input and comments.

Based on this meeting and a series of public meetings to be held in 2016, the Southeast Greenway will become what our community imagines. The vision may include:

• Walking/running trails and bike paths with connections east to Spring Lake Regional Park and the future Sonoma Valley Trail and west to the Joe Rodota Trail and the SMART Trail and stations
• Safe routes to all the schools in the area
• Neighborhoods parks and meeting places
• Community gardens and restored walnut groves
• Restored oak woodland, creeks, wetlands and Sumner Marsh
• Opportunities for outdoor education
• Economic stimulus of the surrounding area.

2016 is a pivotal year for the Southeast Greenway. Come find out how you can play a role in creating a vibrant Greenway in Santa Rosa and share in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for community imagining during the coming year.

 Event:  Southeast Greenway 2016 – The Time Is Now!

Where:  Montgomery High School Cafeteria, 1250   Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa;

When:  Saturday, February 20, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm;

Child Care:  Provided by licensed bonded childcare providers (drop off at 9:45 am);

Translation:  Spanish language translation service available;

Refreshments:  Free coffee, tea and light refreshments;

Bike Parking:  Free and secure bike parking by Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition;

Auto Parking:  Available in the Montgomery High School parking lot.

For more information, visit http://www.SoutheastGreenway.org or call 707-703-1922.