Sonoma County Parks ~ Fall Newsletter

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Tolay Fall Festival 2011

More popular than ever in its 6th year, the Tolay Fall Festival attracts people from around the region for family fun on a spectacular 1,737-acre ranch outside Petaluma. This year’s festival will provide 9 days of fun, running October 13-16 and 19-23, 2011.

Over 15,000 people attended last year, delighting in the Native American Village with demonstrations, “From Earth to You” hands-on children’s area & Kiddie Corral, Night Time Creatures Barn with Creep Crawly Critters room, live animals, and nature hikes, all returning this year. Take a free Ranger-led hay ride that even those in wheelchairs can enjoy! Pick your own pumpkin in our huge pumpkin patch. The harvest of fall goodness includes colorful gourds, mini-pumpkins, unusual squash, multi-colored corn and more! The World Record Pumpkin Seed-spitting Contest is open to all. Visitors can also sign up for an orientation to receive a Day Use Permit for the park.

Discover what’s become the new favorite Fall Festival at Tolay Lake Regional Park.

More Info: http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/pk_tolay_fallfestival.htm

We still need festival volunteers

Volunteers are invited to help with this year’s Fall Festival.
Volunteers can assist park staff in our: Heritage crafts booths, Night Time Creatures Barn, Old fashioned game area, Hay wagon rides or Pumpkin patch

All volunteers receive training, a free park pass, Tolay Festival T-Shirt, and delicious food. Orientations are scheduled throughout the month of September.

To register contact John Ryan at (707) 565-3356 or parksvolunteer@sonoma-county.org
Flyer can be viewed at: http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/pk_tolay_fallfestival.htm

Environmental Discovery Center of Sonoma County (EDC)

The Environmental Discovery Center of Sonoma County (EDC) Has the outside coming inside this fall, with the Habitat & Home exhibit that runs from September 7, 2011 through January 29, 2012.

Habitat & Home features the importance of protecting our most threatened ecosystems and the life providing services each system provides. While playing games and doing activities EDC visitors will learn about ecosystem services through provisioning (food production, shelter), regulating (water cleaning, carbon sequestration), supporting (nutrient cycling), and cultural (playing in a park).Kids young and old will be amazed with the inside tide pool filled with live sea creatures you can touch and see. Explore the redwood forest while playing in the Rainbow Hideaway Tree Fort. Create your own show with animal puppets while learning about life cycles and food chains. Make redwood crafts, watch a habitat movie, create eco-art and much more.
More Info: http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/edc.htm

Support Sonoma County Regional Parks! 10 Ways to Take Action 10

Many Sonoma County residents are concerned that our parks are closing. While it is true that state parks, such as Annadel, are threatened with closure, our Regional Parks – such as Spring Lake, Ragle Ranch and Doran Beach – remain open. Funding for these parks, however, is declining.

Every year since 2008, the County of Sonoma has decreased funding to Sonoma County Regional Parks. In the current fiscal year alone, funding was cut by 25%. In spite of these financial challenges, Regional Parks is determined to survive – and thrive! Sonoma County residents and visitors cherish our parks and are committed to keeping them well maintained and open, and to supporting their outstanding facilities and programs. With your help, we will develop new income sources to preserve one of the most spectacular regional park systems in the world.

Following are 10 ways you can help the parks. Some of these ideas raise money yet won’t cost you anything! Please take action today. For details about any of these fundraising options, or for more information about how you can support Sonoma County Regional Parks, go to the Sonoma County Regional Parks and Foundation web site at www.sonomacountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook! Follow these links: Sonoma County Regional Parks Facebook Page; Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation Facebook Page.

1. Share this flyer with your friends. Talk to your friends about our county parks.
2. Become a Sonoma County Regional Parks Member or give a membership as a gift.
3. Make a donation.
4. Sponsor a park bench or picnic table. These items are a wonderful way to honor a special family member, celebrate milestone events, or memorialize a beloved friend. Call (707) 565-2041 for more information.
5. Sign up for GoodSearch and eScrip. GoodSearch is a search engine that donates a penny to Regional Parks every time you search. eScrip donates a percentage of sales from participating merchants to the parks. Both programs are free!
6. Buy a popular Regional Parks or Grateful Dead Regional Parks t-shirt. It makes a great gift!  Call (707) 565 2041, or purchase one at Spring Lake.
7. Grab a meal at one of our Tuesday evening Park-n-Eat fundraisers at Spring Lake. You select dinner from delicious gourmet food trucks, and 10% of proceeds benefits park programs.
8. Attend one of our fun and inexpensive, family-friendly events, such as the Tolay Fall Festival in October or the Healdsburg Water Carnival in July.

1. Volunteer.  Check the Parks’ web site for more information.  10.Remember Sonoma County Regional Parks in your will.

More Info: http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/foundation/index.htm

Doggy Water Day at Spring Lake Park

Back by Popular Demand!

You asked and we listened... the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation and the Sonoma County Water Agency is sponsoring another opportunity for your pooch to swim in the Swimming Lagoon at Spring Lake Park!

Saturday, October 8, 2011   10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Spring Lake Swimming Lagoon
393 Violetti Drive
Santa Rosa, CA

The Swimming Lagoon will again be turned into a leash-free dog park for the day. Don’t miss out on this dog-gone good time.

Suggested Donation

Donations will help cover the cost of pet waste bags at Spring Lake Park!

Parks Members - $3 per dog
Non-Members - $5 per dog

For more information call Spring Lake at (707) 539-8092.

Special Note: Only dogs will be allowed to swim during this event.

Become a Parks Member

More Info:
http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/membership.htm

Keep checking back to see what specials we may offer with becoming a Parks Member.