Tolay Regional Park Interim Working Plan
Tolay Park Update 3-6-2008

Tolay Regional Park Interim Working Plan
Tolay Lake Regional Park Interim Plan Working Group.
Michelle Julene, Environmental Specialist
Sonoma County Regional Parks Department
2300 County Center Dr., Suite 120A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707)565-3962
Fax: (707)579-8247
mjulene@sonoma-county.org

Liz Ravenscroft, Region One Trails Chair, represented equestrian trail interests at Sonoma County Regional Parks and Environmental Review Committee hearings in late December regarding Tolay Regional Park Interim Access Plan (along with Back County Horsemen and Sonoma County Horse Council representatives as well as individuals from the Valley of the Moon Riding Club and Wine Country Peruvian Paso Club). An alternative plan proposed by an informal equestrian-bicyclist coalition spontaneously formed at these hearings is now under consideration by the Sonoma County Regional Parks. A positive outcome is anticipated.


Tolay Park Update 3-6-2008
http://www.northbayunit.com
Thank you, Dan Horn, Back Country Horsemen, North Bay Unit, for the following detailed report:

‘As a result of our input at the public meetings concerning Tolay in December, Sonoma County Regional Parks invited a representative from each user group to take part in a Working Group. There were two meetings, one in January and one in February. The biggest change is in Days of use and that use will be by permit something along the lines of what we now have at Willow Creek State Park.

There will be two schedules for the length of the Interim period which could last as long as 5 years until the Master Plan is completed. Summer Use and Winter Use. Winter Use will be set by conditions not calendar. Under Summer use Hikers, Bikers and Equestrians will be allowed access 3 days a week. Right now the 3 days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Winter use will be limited mainly to hikers. Which is necessary, we all know what that adobe ground is like in wet conditions. Special Events such as the Pumpkin Festival will be closed to permit use to limit the impact to the park.

This is a big step from the first plan of 2 days a month for the 5 months of summer.

I would also stress the importance during the Interim Period that Equestrians car pool as much as possible to lessen the traffic and impact on Cannon Lane and space in the parking lot. There will be improvements to Cannon Lane with the Master Plan.

Here is a short, general summary of the Tolay Interim Plan Working Group meeting on Tuesday, the 26th.

1. Number of People Covered by a Permit Holder: The Working Group is recommending that a permit holder can cover three non-permitted people for a total of four people per permit. The group doesn't have to be limited to one vehicle. If an organization is planning an event, such as an equestrian ride, they will notify Regional Parks if twelve or more individuals will be attending.

There was discussion about large groups who will want to reserve the group picnic area. Internally, Regional Parks previously agreed that we would have a special Orientation for these groups at the beginning of their reservation time instead of making a certain number of them attend a regularly scheduled orientation. We decided that in order to have a truly equitable system, even the picnicker needs to participate in the orientation program because, quite frankly, we won't be able to control their movement within Tolay once they're there.

2. Orientation Program. Some Working Group members got together on their own in between the meetings and came up with an outline for the Orientation Program. This was distributed and presented at the Working Group meeting. It definitely provides a good start. The Working Group is recommending that the Orientation be approximately one hour followed by an optional hike. They recommend that the Orientation and associated hike be on-foot only, no horses or bicycles; that the permits be available for distribution at the end of the Orientation; and that the permits be renewed annually. Annual renewal would be a paperwork exercise, not requiring annual orientation.

Other technical issues that Regional Parks needs to work out include the frequency of the orientations, whether we will cap the number of participants per orientation, and whether we will cap the number of permits.

3. Liability. Nick Tipon, representing the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, brought up a good point regarding liability. Specifically, who is liable in the case that cultural resources are taken, destroyed, damaged, etc. Mary Burns said we would be checking in with County Counsel on this point.

4. Public Workshop. Now that we have the Working Group's recommendations, Regional Parks will be scheduling a Public Workshop. We hope this can occur next month. I will let you know for sure when it is scheduled.

There will be no warning about following the rules or staying on the designated trails. Any violation will result in the loss of your permit.

This is still a few months away, so check back for posting of starting date of Orientations and Park Opening Date.”

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