JUNE 2021 NEWSLETTER
So Many Summer Activities on Tap
You are signing up for outdoor activities almost as fast as we can make them! Yet there are still plenty of openings for events the whole family can enjoy, along with summertime activities that don’t require a reservation at all. Here are a few quick suggestions to get you started:
• Swimming at Spring Lake: As of July 1, the lagoon at Spring Lake will be open for swimming 10 a.m.-8 p.m. every day. (The inflatable water park returns next year.)

 • Boat Rentals: We offer kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for rent at Spring Lake 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. every day throughout the summer months.

• Swimming at HVMB: Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach is open 7 a.m. to sunset every day. There’s no dam this year, but shallower wading conditions are just right for small children.
 • Kayak Skills Camp: This two-day youth camp provides children ages 10-14 with the skills and confidence needed to become solid kayakers. (There are two camps, at Spring Lake and Riverfront.)

• Intro to Disc Golf: This easygoing class teaches the art of disc golf so participants can take their game to our courses at Crane Creek and Taylor Mountain.

• Teen Survivalists: Join us at Helen Putnam to develop your survivalist skills in this upcoming installment of the Junior Survivalist Series.
Back to Normal for Group Camping and Picnicking

California was the first state to shut down due to the pandemic, and on Tuesday it was the first to fully reopen, meaning masks are no longer required for vaccinated people in most situations. For Sonoma County Regional Parks, the change means pandemic camping regulations are lifted and group picnic reservations are available again! Don't hesitate to plan your summertime gatherings by booking reservations right away.
Helpful Hints for Trekking with the Kiddos

Sonoma County parks provide plenty of safe and doable adventures for little ones of all ages. And when it comes to enjoying the outdoors, we believe there’s no such thing as too young. So we've put together a few tips—such as stroller-friendly trails, trails near playgrounds, and links to park games for kids—intended to help families prepare.
Hood Mountain's Lawson Trail Is Now Open

Hood Mountain Regional Park partially reopened this month, giving hikers and riders access to post-fire oak and cypress woodlands, ridge-top vistas and much more.

More than four-fifths of the 2,000-acre park burned during last year’s Glass Fire, resulting in significant loss of trees and infrastructure. But as of this month, thanks to extensive work by trail crews, visitors may now access portions of Hood Mountain’s Lower Johnson Ridge Trail from the upper Pythian Road parking lot, connecting to an excellent 4-mile out-and-back climb on Lawson Trail.
Coast Lovers Get Early Look at Carrington Ranch

Carrington Coast Ranch, with its sweeping views of Sonoma County’s rugged coastline, promises to be a beloved new addition once it is fully opened to the public. For now the 350-acre property, recently transferred to Regional Parks by Ag + Open Space, is only accessible during Park Preview Days—free self-guided tours of upcoming parks. The first slate of Park Preview Days for Carrington booked up incredibly quickly this summer, but don’t worry: We will offer more this fall. Stay tuned!
Do Your Part to Leave No Trace

Here are three good rules for park visitors to know: Leave sea stars, shells, rocks and wildflowers as you find them; Watch for working animals; Take your raft or tube home with you. Following these and other guidelines—adapted (in partnership with Sonoma County Tourism) from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics' seven core principles—will help visitors get the most out of their outdoor spaces while protecting natural and cultural resources.
Lion Cub 'P3' Grows Up

We first met this female mountain lion as a cub near Glen Ellen, where the Living with Lions program tagged her as “P3.” She was later spotted by our wildlife cameras in the Hood Mountain area raising kittens, but after the Glass Fire she moved on to another of our parks. Judging by her call in a video we recently posted to Facebook, P3 has been looking for a mate!
Join Our Team!

Sonoma County Regional Parks is a fun and interesting place to work, with current openings for grounds maintenance workers, park aides, lifeguards, a natural resources supervisor and more. We’re always looking for people with a variety of skills and backgrounds to support park operations and programs with their diverse expertise, abilities and goals.
We also have openings in our Career Pathways Youth Crew program, which provides paid experience to 18- to 24-year-olds with limited work histories. Click the video to learn more about some of our positions, or the button below to find listings and apply.
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Sonoma County Regional Parks
(707) 565-2041