EXPANSION OF COUNTY TRAILS AND PARKS
ON THE LINE IN 1999

Frustration about the lack of public access to open space in Sonoma is growing. Here are a few reasons why:

• Less than 5% of total Sonoma county acreage is open to public; our Marin neighbors enjoy access to over 42%.

• Of the nine Bay Area counties, Sonoma ranks second to last in terms of regional park acreage to population. Urban San Francisco places last.

• The National Recreation and Parks Association standard for regional park acreage to population ratio is 20/1000. Even though the NRPA standard was cited in our1989 County General Plan, Sonoma rates a pitiful 11.6/1000.

• So far, only 0.18%, or 48 of 25,317 acres protected by the Sonoma County Agricultural and Open Space Preservation District have gone to regional parks. Ouch!

1999 offers a watershed opportunity for Sonoma County outdoor enthusiasts. Two key public plans, the Open Space Acquisition Plan and the Outdoor Recreation Plan, are currently grinding through County bureaucracy. These plans will determine our public open space future for at least the next twenty years, probably much longer.

COUNTY SUPERVISORS HOLD THE KEY

Your County Supervisors hold the political key to a pro-outdoor rec future for Sonoma. Work with us to get the message across loud and clear: Recreation must be a priority in the Acquisition Plan and the Outdoor Recreation Plan must include a generous regional park component with a county-wide interlocking system of trails.

JOIN FORCES WITH US

To join forces and volunteer for the CORP campaign, please contact Will Stapp, 789-0142. For a more complete picture, check out our evolving website at [ www.sonomatrails.org ]