Wine Country Times

The City of Sonoma’s Community Recreation and Parks Task Force is now 15 members strong. 

Known as the Recreation Task force, these Sonoma Valley residents were brought together last month as a group. They will be integral in the city’s community outreach and data collection efforts, and to advise the Community Services and Environment Commission on the first two phases of Sonoma’s Multi-Year Recreation and Park Work Plan, according to a city press release.

In December, the city council approved a resolution to direct the formation of the Recreation Task force and launch Phase 1 of the Recreation and Park Work Plan. This phase includes conducting a recreation inventory analysis as well as creating a virtual, twice-yearly community recreation catalog.

City staff, key recreation partners and the Recreation Task Force, include Karen Collins (chair), Steve Page (co-chair), Simon Blattner, Salvador Chavez, Sandi Funke, Maite Iturri, Tony Moll and Jon Parker. They created a four-phase work plan and strategy for the creation of a comprehensive, Multi-Year Recreation and Park Master Plan. The phases are:

    Phase 1 – Recreation Inventory Analysis and Community Recreation Catalog

    Phase 2 – Park Improvements

    Phase 3 – City Parks and Recreation Benchmark Assessment

    Phase 4 – Recreation and Park Master Plan

In addition to the community members named above, the recreation task force also includes recreation non-profit partners, like Richard Dale, Sonoma Ecology Center; Priscilla Essert, Vintage House; Beth Fox, Sonoma Community Center; and Cary Snowden, Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley.  Task force and community members who represent other recreation programs in the area include Bruce Abbott, Sonoma Valley Unified School District; Marty Herrick, Field of Dreams and Joanna Kemper, Overlook Trail Stewards.

Next up is the assessment of the current parks and recreational programs available from Sonoma’s Recreation and Community Service partners.

“While there are many excellent programs and activities available, there is strong interest in reviewing them to ensure they meet local needs. After the current offerings are assessed, the task force will be seeking public input so we can advise and make recommendations to the city for any improvements or additions,” said Collins, who also presented to the city council about this topic in 2019.

The city isn’t responsible for operating its own Parks and Recreation Department. It partners with outside nonprofit service agencies that already fill the need for recreation in the community.

“I couldn’t be more excited to get started on this project and am grateful for the dedication of Karen Collins in bringing the task force together,” said Logan Harvey, mayor of Sonoma. “I am confident that this accomplished group will provide the valuable expertise needed to help guide this project. It’s been far too long since we took a good look at this critical infrastructure and made the upgrades our community needs and deserves.”

The city council approved $20,000 in funding from the General Fund Reserves for the initial phase.

Learn more about the Recreation and Park Work Plan and Recreation Task Force as well as subscribe to receive recreation updates on the city’s website.