Dear Parks Members and Friends,
We are well into the second month of the shelter-at-home and parks closure orders. Thank you for doing your part to flatten the curve of coronavirus infections in our community. Your support is making a difference.
Because of the optimistic trends we’re seeing, Sonoma County’s health officer, Dr. Sundari Mase, has issued a
modified health order to allow residents to walk or bike to parks from their homes beginning Wednesday, April 29.
This means you can walk or bike into your nearby parks for basic exercise ؘ– walking, hiking, jogging, biking and fishing (where permitted). Driving to a park isn’t allowed while we continue to shelter near home.
Parking lots, restrooms, playgrounds, picnic areas, sports courts and dog parks will remain closed, as will Sonoma Coast beaches.
We wish we were opening all parks to all visitors, but we understand limited access is a necessary – and temporary – first step to minimize the risk of crowding while we stay close to home. We’re having frequent conversations with Dr. Mase to restore greater access as soon as it’s safe to do so.
If you walk or bike into a local park, you must follow social distancing rules and have a face covering with you. You will need to wear your face covering when you come within 6 feet of other visitors.
Together, we can continue to slow the spread of the virus in our community. Until then, stay safe and take care.
Bert Whitaker, Director
Sonoma County Regional Parks
