Southeast Greenway Moves Forward as Santa Rosa’s Newest Public Park.
Photo: Courtesy of Greg Cox
The Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway is finally moving from concept to reality. After more than 15 years of advocacy and planning, the City completed its purchase of the property for the Greenway in late 2024, setting the stage for development of a major new 49-acre public park and trail system in the heart of the city, making it the fourth largest park in Santa Rosa.
The site—a two-mile stretch of land between Farmers Lane and Spring Lake Park—is the former Highway 12 right-of-way. Left vacant for decades, it will now become an urban greenway that will include walking and biking paths and the potential for restored habitat, community gardens, open space, and more. The land is now publicly owned and managed by Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks.
The Southeast Greenway connects several neighborhoods and serves as a prospective link between the city’s east and west sides. It also provides a walking and bike route that will connect with regional trails, including those leading to the SMART train, downtown, Sonoma Valley and West County.
The process to create the park will include community input to determine how the space will be used. Possible ideas include pocket parks, public art, educational programming, and space for play and gathering. Native habitat restoration is also a hoped-for part of the plan, which could facilitate the site being a wildlife corridor.
The project has been led by the Southeast Greenway Campaign, a volunteer-run coalition that began organizing in 2009. Funding for the land purchase came from a mix of public and private sources, including a $1 million grant from the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District. Over the years, multiple agencies interested in supporting the property becoming a park have collaborated, including the Sonoma County Water Agency, Sonoma County Regional Parks, The City of Santa Rosa, and Landpaths, under the professional guidance of Sonoma Land Trust.
As the city moves toward the next phase of planning and development, residents are encouraged to stay involved in the park creation process.
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The Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway
To learn more about the project or volunteer: southeastgreenway.org
Glossary:
Greenway
The Greenway movement seeks to transform underused land into parks and trails that support recreation, protect the environment, and offer safe, car-free travel routes.