April is Regional Parks Celebration Month and they’ve planned a slew of free, fun and diverse events. (Parking fees still apply.)
If you like what you see, consider buying a 2007 Pass which allows you to park at any of the Regional Parks for the next 12 months for one fee: Passes are $55 for individual or family, $20 for seniors (60+ years) and $15 for those who are permanently disabled. If you buy the pass in April, May or June, you’ll receive a bevy of freebies and discounts, including two free nights of camping at any Regional Park Campground.
Also, as part of this month’s celebration, you can win a free bike. The Regional Parks Foundation and the Bike Peddler have donated a kid’s specialized Hotrocks mountain bike and they’re giving it away. It’s easy and free to enter. Just go to one of the Park Celebration events and register.
FREE EVENTS
Sunday, April 1- Fishing Tips and Techniques, Doran Boat Launch 2 - 3 pm, info: 875-3540 Lively Q & A on local fishing and techniques with Ranger Crumley.
April 7- 29
- Salmon Derby, Spud Point Marina, info: 565-2041 Catch a fish and win great prizes. Derby runs three weeks.
Saturday, April 7
- Wildflower Walk, Helen Putnam Regional Park
10 am -12 noon, info: 565-2041
Spring bursts to life in Petaluma with the blooming of the wildflowers.
- Restoration Workday, Riverfront Regional Park 9 am -2 pm, info: 565-2041 Help removing invasive plants from this fabulous park along the Russian River. Participants receive a t-shirt, refreshments and free parking.
Sunday, April 8
- Bird Watch, Doran Regional Park 9:30 - 11 am, info: 875-3540 Meet Ranger Assistant Freid for an easy walk discovering numerous bird species. Binoculars!
Tuesday, April 10
- Tide pool Walk, Doran Regional Park 1:30 - 3:30 pm, info: 875-3540 Explore the undersea life of Bodega harbor with Ranger Wolvek. Especially for elementary schoolchildren. Spanish/English.
Friday, April 13
- Great Blue Heron Walk, Riverfront Regional Park 5 - 6:30 pm, info: 565-2041 Ranger-led walk to view Great Blue Heron nesting areas.
Saturday, April 14
- Kenwood Heritage Day, Kenwood Plaza Park
1 - 3 pm, info: 565-2041
Join Park Rangers and local historians for an old-fashioned Sunday
afternoon in the park.Games for the kids! Register to win a Kid’s Bike!
- Bike Rodeo, Ragle Ranch Regional Park
noon - 2 pm, RSVP: 565-2041
Come to this bicycle safety clinic for inspections and education. Ride
the bike safety skills course. Register to win a Kid’s Bike!
- Wildflower Walk, Steelhead Beach Regional Park 10 am - 2 pm, info: 565-2041 Relaxing hike along the Russian River in search of spring flowers. Led by Phil Dean.
Thursday, April 19
- Taylor Mountain Sunset Hike 5:30 - 8:30 pm, info: 524-9318 BYO picnic dinner and flashlight for this moderate hike. This 1,000- acre mountain is protected forever by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District and will soon become a public park. Spanish and English speaking hike leaders from LandPaths and Open Space District. Families welcome!
Saturday, April 21
- Animal Care Center Dog Park, Ragle Ranch Regional Park, 3 -5 pm, info: 565-2041 Enjoy doggy fun and games and refreshments. Friends of the Dog Park, LLC will hold a raffle with terrific prizes to help raise funds to pay the dog park’s annual fees
- Wildflower Walk, Hood Mountain Regional Park 8 am -1:30 pm, 565-2041 A rugged hike in search of spring flowers in higher elevations. Los Alamos entrance.
Sunday, April 22
- Kid’s Earth Day, Homenaje a la Tierra para Ninos,
Maxwell Farms Regional Park, noon - 3 pm, info: 565-
2041
Bilingual Earth Day fun for elementary school children. Play while you
learn about protecting Sonoma County’s natural resources. Register to
win a Kid’s Bike!
- Hood Mountain Regional Park History Hike, info 539- 8092 A challenging Ranger-led hike to the 2,730-foot summit of Hood Mountain learn about the natural and cultural history of the Park.
Wednesday, April 25
- After Work Sunset Stroll, Crane Creek Regional Park 6 - 7:30 pm, info: 565-2041 Unwind with an easy walk with Park staff at sunset.
Saturday, April 28
- Eco Fun at the Environmental Discovery Center,
Spring Lake Park, 1 - 5 pm, info: 539-2865
Learn about local ecology, meet reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds,
marine animals and more! Especially for elementary school families!
Register to win a Kid’s Bike!
- Castles & Kites, Doran Regional Park
10 am - 3 pm, info: 565-2041
Fly a kite and build a castle of sand at this fun family event at Doran
Park. Enjoy kite demos and watch expert castle builders. Register to win
a Kid’s Bike!
- Sonoma Mountain Connections: Jacobs to Skiles Hike
9 - 3:30 pm, info: 524-9318
Join us for a sneak preview of a future Bay Area Ridge Trail connection
and get ready for some amazing views. Led by LandPaths and Sonoma
County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District.
- Sea Ranch Trail Day, Gualala Point Regional Park
9 am - 2 pm, info: 785-2377
Restoration project with parks staff on the Black Point Trail in a
breathtaking coastal park.
- Tolay Hike, Tolay Lake Regional Park 9-11 am, info: 565-2041 Docent-led hiking tour of the future park. RSVP please.
Sunday, April 29
- Wildflower Walk, Pinnacle Gulch Trail
1 - 3 pm, info: 875-3540
Moderately hilly hike on Bodega Bay trail to enjoy the coastal spring
flowers.
- Bird Outing, Riverfront Regional Park
9 - 11 am, info: 433-1625
Docent-led walk focusing on the diversity of birds in the park and Great
Blue Heron nesting areas.
- Doggie Day, Elizabeth Perrone Dog Park, Sonoma Valley Regional Park, 10 am - 2 pm, info: 565-2041 A fun day of doggie games, information and booths. Dogs, bring your humans