abril 8, 2025
Posted in: Press Releases
SANTA ROSA, CA (abril 7, 2025) – Ag + Open Space, Sonoma Land Trust (SLT), and the Mark West Area Community Fund (MWACF) are proud to announce the final step in the purchase of the soon-to-be Mark West Area Community Park. The 1-acre property is located on Old Redwood Highway, just north of the intersection with Mark West Springs Road, and is the former site of a daycare center that burned during the 2017 Tubbs Fire. The property is now owned and managed by MWACF, and is forever conserved and open to the public thanks to an Ag + Open Space conservation easement and recreational covenant.
In one of Sonoma County’s communities most impacted by wildfires, the Mark West Area Community Park is a unique opportunity to purchase one acre of land burned in the 2017 Tubbs Fire and turn it into a community-driven park. The park will offer an outdoor gathering place of healing for residents, nature-based recreation opportunities, and include restoration of native habitats. No such public space exists in the Mark West/Larkfield community at this time.
“‘Build back better, together!’ That’s what we pledged after the 2017 Tubbs Fire destroyed thousands of homes in the Mark West/Larkfield Community,” said Ag + Open Space Director and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore. “This park delivers on that promise, coming from a true partnership between community members and local government. I applaud our community members for leading the charge authentically, and I am proud to partner with them to deliver this into reality.”
Ribbon cutting, mayo 2024 | Credit: Sonoma Land Trust
This project is a unique and successful example of how community members, local environmental nonprofits, and local government can all work together to conserve open space.
After the Tubbs Fire, a vision arose to turn the now unused lot into a community park, and that led to community members and Sonoma Land Trust meeting to discuss how to make this vision a reality. Community members then formed the nonprofit Mark West Area Community Fund, and in concert with SLT, applied to Ag + Open Space’s Community Spaces Matching Grant Program.
Ag + Open Space’s Community Spaces program focuses on protecting land and creating open spaces within our cities and communities, through partnerships with local public agencies, nonprofits and federally recognized Tribal organizations. In agosto 2023, the Mark West project was approved by Ag + Open Space’s Board of Directors (the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors).
“Sonoma Land Trust is proud to serve as a trusted convener, uniting people, partners, and funding to create vibrant parks and open spaces in urban areas,” said John McCaull, Land Acquisition Director at Sonoma Land Trust. “The Mark West Community Park stands as a shining example of how we can transform communities by enhancing access to urban parks. Alongside the Santa Rosa Greenway, this project is part of our Nature Nearby program, dedicated to ensuring that all people in Sonoma County have equitable access to parks and natural spaces. We are excited to collaborate with our partners to fulfill this commitment and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation in and around Santa Rosa.”
With the Ag + Open Space funding secured, Sonoma Land Trust was then able to make a “bridge” purchase of the property in enero 2024, where they purchased the land for $1,800,000 on behalf of the MWACF with the commitment from Ag + Open Space to reimburse them for a significant portion of the purchase price – $1,169,500. Other acquisition partners include Mark West Area Municipal Advisory Council, a Sonoma County Community Infrastructure Grant, Saba Foundation and private donors.
That brings us to today, where Ag + Open Space has transferred the funds to Sonoma Land Trust, and the ownership and management of the property has been transferred to MWACF. In this final transaction, Ag + Open Space also acquired a conservation easement and recreational covenant over the property, ensuring that its natural and recreational values will be conserved forever.
“Our Mark West Area community is grateful for the support of Ag + Open Space and Sonoma Land Trust to make this new park a reality,” said Mark West Area Community Fund President Brad Sherwood. “It was always a goal to rebuild our community stronger, more resilient, and keep united after the 2017 Tubbs Fire. This park and partnership help accomplish that goal.”
View of the lot facing Old Redwood Highway, 2023 | Credit: Mark West Area Community Fund
Now that the park is officially in the hands of MWACF, the community’s vision can start to come to life. The MWACF is completing permits to begin construction of the park this summer. Ag + Open Space has also awarded SLT and MWACF an additional $300,000 in Community Spaces Matching Grant Program funds to help support design and planning, and development of basic infrastructure including ADA-compliant pathways and parking.
Community members who want to get involved should go to www.markwestarea.org.
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