PETALUMA'S PARKS - A NATURAL SPRING ADVENTURE

Guest Blogger Martha O'Hayer

Spring is supposed to turn thoughts to love, but frankly, I can't wait to get outdoors for an adventure at this time of year.

If you are also in a spring time adventure frame of mind, Petaluma has two great Sonoma County Regional Parks that are better than any theme park and lots more reasonably priced. So, if it's spring break time in your life, flock on over to Petaluma for the nature experience.

This Saturday, April 10  take a guided walk through the rolling, wild flower-covered hills in Helen Putnam Park. Master Gardeners will lead the way starting at 10 a.m.

Get an earlier start at 9 a.m. on April 10, and Jim Angelo, former Director of the Regional Parks Department  will walk you through Helen Putnam Park and the history of regional parks including acquisition, development and operation.

Break next weekend on April 18 for a walk in Helen Putnam park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with naturalist Wade Belew who is also the president of the California Native Grasslands Association and stewardship coordinator of Cotati Creek Critters. Bring a picnic lunch and dine al fresco too.

If spring night time is the right time for you to howl, a walk on April 28 in full moonlight through the oak woodlands of Helen Putnam Park with Park Commissioner John Mills might be just the ticket.  

Be among the first public visitors to Tolay Regional Park on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the Sierra Club's Bill Arenander and staff from the Sonoma Land Trust lead a hike through this new park property that is still being developed for public use. Hikers will be treated to stunning views of the Petaluma River and Tolay Valley, walks to and through lush wildflower fields and perhaps a glimpse of the resident golden eagle, red-tail hawks, meadowlarks and coyote that roam the area. Talk will be of the natural history, geology of the land and the people who have lived on it for the past few thousand years. A special trek to be sure for those curious about what this new, special park has to offer.
 The nature adventure goes on all year in Sonoma County's Regional Parks. Check out Sonoma County Parks for more information. If you think you’ll visit our parks regularly this year, click here for more information on the parks pass.

There are some year 'round nature adventures in some of Petaluma's city parks too. Shollenberger Park is great for bird watching or walking by the Petaluma River and in the ancient marshlands. Check Visit Petaluma for more information.


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