WATER TRAIL PROJECT PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW Thirteen miles upstream of San Pablo Bay, Petaluma is the northern point on the San Francisco Bay Water Trail, a network of access points throughout the region. Most boaters will approach the city via the Petaluma River and its marshlands downstream, arriving first at Shollenberger Park. Several landmarks along the Petaluma River already exist: the Shollenberger Overlook, Petaluma Marina (boat ramp and bathrooms, hotel, restaurants), the River Heritage Center, and the downtown Turning Basin, lined with docks and open-air dining. Petaluma Water Ways will link all these features, and connect Petaluma by water to downstream and the Bay. Participants in the Mayor s Boat Ride with the trestle and Theater District buildings in the background. Photo: David Yearsley After: A schematic by the Petaluma Trolley Living History Museum shows the trestle after renovation. Image from http://www.petalumatrolley.org. Photo: Corey Young/Argus Courier Small craft users will encounter a number of scenic highlights along the Petaluma River from abundant migratory bird life in the open marsh downstream, to urban culture in downtown s Historic District, and several points connecting the Water Trail with foot and bicycle trails along the riverfront. Now you can experience all the attractions of Petaluma, and get there by water, too. Small craft landings and waterfront pocket parks link the water trail with the pedestrian and bike path along the riverside. PETALUMA WATER WAYS petalumawaterways.org
PROJECT PORTFOLIO SHOLLENBERGER OVERLOOK (34) Navigational signs announce you have arrived in Petaluma. This will be the first point in several river miles to get out of your boat, use the bathroom, and enjoy a picnic overlooking the water and Haystack Landing. Building access from the water to the overlook will initiate improvements here. ITALIAN GARDEN SLOUGH (31) Depart from the main channel and tuck away among the reeds and clapper rails in a paddlecraft-only side slough near the Marina. PETALUMA SMALL CRAFT CENTER SITE (ALTERNATIVE) (25A OR 26) A publicprivate boathouse with storage, gym, locker rooms with showers, and low docks for small craft may be situated on either side of the river. MCNEAR LANDING (24) This neighborhood pocket park will have a new small craft landing. MCNEAR CHANNEL SMALL CRAFT LANDINGS (21) Two informal small craft landings in the quiet, tidal McNear Channel channel provide access to the park and river- view picnic spots. H STREET LANDING (19) A landing for small craft and a water taxi at the downstream end of a future trolley line is a short walk from restaurants of the Warehouse District. G STREET LANDING (18) Volunteers have improved the pocket park with plantings and benches. The next project is a floating dock and public art. TRAIL WATER RIVER HERITAGE CENTER LANDING (16) A permanent dock and steps provide water access to the pre-existing David Yearsley River Heritage Center in Steamer Landing Park. PETALUMA SMALL CRAFT CENTER (ALTERNATIVE) (13) The Turning Basin s alternative site for a public boathouse is close to parking, the transit mall and train depot, and downtown restaurants and inns. SMALL CRAFT RENTAL CENTER (9A) Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and small sailboats will be for rent at this center floating off the Golden Eagle Shopping Center. COPELAND CROSSING (1) A pocket park near the base of this foot- and bicycle bridge is at a key intersection of regional bike and hiking trails. Updated October 4, 2011
TOWN COMMONS PROJECT PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW Vibrant communities around the world offer citizens informal places to gather, meet, and get away from the isolation of their homes. Petaluma Water Ways affords our community these benefits by providing promenades and plazas, greenspaces and pocket parks, and places for unstructured play, civic engagement, or plain old people-watching. Volunteers at Work Photo by Evan Hess The greenspaces within our community also offer an affordable, low-impact, and close-to-home stepping stone into the great outdoors that can lead to a lifelong bond with nature and enjoyment of the benefits that come with it. In all these ways, open, public spaces with beautiful settings contribute to the social, physical, and emotional health of Petaluma, and neighborhood parks are among the town commons where people can readily congregate close to where they live, work, and go to school. Photo by Scott Hess Small craft landings and waterfront pocket parks link the water trail with the pedestrian and bike path along the riverside. PETALUMA WATER WAYS petalumawaterways.org
PROJECT PORTFOLIO WASHINGTON STREET BRIDGE OPEN SPACE (2) An existing public greenspace and play area will be integrated into Petaluma Water Ways. BALSHAW BRIDGE (6) AND THE GOLDEN EAGLE WATERFRONT AREA (8) A plaza at base of the bridge can feature public art, landscaping, wayfinding signs, and seating. Redevelopment efforts will encourage water-view plazas, possibly including river-oriented retail plus an open-air marketplace with shade trees, dining tables, and seating for people-watching. CAVANAGH LANDING (10) The existing park and open space area will be expanded and enhanced, becoming the primary gateway to the Turning Basin from the nearby transit and train stops. C ST. PUMP STATION (11) AND C STREET LANDING (12) New landscaping and amphitheater seating overlooking the water will make this area a prime vista point. TOWN COMMONS G STREET LANDING (18) AND H STREET LANDING (19) Neighborhood pocket parks at G and H Streets will offer fishing docks, access for hand-carried boats, and people-friendly spots to sit and admire the scenery while enjoying carry-out from one of the nearby restaurants. STEAMER LANDING PARK (15) AND THE DAVID YEARSLEY RIVER HERITAGE CENTER Plans for expansion of this existing park call for additional trails, overlooks, interpretive features, small craft landings, riparian restoration, and expansion of public programming at the River Heritage Center (which is proving to be a popular and centrally located event venue). MCNEAR LANDING PARK (24) Petaluma Water Ways will integrate this existing neighborhood park with water- and land-trails. PROPOSED SEVEN-ACRE PARK (25) AND BOATHOUSE (26) A swath of riverfront greenway with water access at the public boathouse will become a striking new landmark along Petaluma Water Ways. SWINGBRIDGE OVERLOOK (29) AND MARINA POINT OVERLOOK (30) Popular fishing spots on either side of the Marina entrance will have additional seating and interpretive signage. ALMAN MARSH OVERLOOK (32), ADOBE CREEK INTERPRETIVE AREA (33), AND SHOLLENBERGER PARK OVERLOOK (34) Interpretive areas, salmon habitat enhancement, waterfront seating, and an inconspicuous bathroom will enhance these popular trails that are shared by hikers, joggers, cyclists, and birders. Updated January 28, 2012
INTERWOVEN CONNECTIONS PROJECT PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW Community greenspaces and interconnected trails promote health, provide economic benefits, and nurture democratic values by inviting casual interaction among citizens. For many people, local, open environments are a close-to-home and affordable stepping-stone into the great outdoors that can lead to a lifelong bond with nature. Participants in the Mayor s Boat Ride with the trestle and Theater District buildings in the background. Photo: David Yearsley A linked network of greenspaces on both sides of the river embraces the heart of Petaluma, from Copeland Crossing to McNear Peninsula to the popular trails of Shollenberger Park. Petaluma Water Ways will connect the open spaces that exist to each other and to regional trail and transit networks via welcoming footpaths and bikeways. Petaluma Water Ways will connect our town by extending or linking to regional trails including the San Francisco Bay Trail and the San Francisco Bay Water Trail (extending to the Turning Basin); the San Francisco Bay Ridge Trail (crossing the River at D Street); Ellis Creek and Adobe Creek Trails (from Alman/Shollenberger); and, someday, Rails-to-Trails may link Petaluma Water Ways to Novato. Photo: Corey Young/Argus Courier Small craft landings and waterfront pocket parks link the water trail with the pedestrian and bike path along the riverside. PETALUMA WATER WAYS petalumawaterways.org
PROJECT PORTFOLIO COPELAND CROSSING (1) This critical pedestrian/bike river crossing and nearby pocket park are a missing link between Petaluma Water Ways and the crosstown Lynch Creek Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail. BALSHAW BRIDGE (6) AND THE GOLDEN EAGLE WATERFRONT AREA (8) This cornerstone of Petaluma Water Ways links both sides of the river with a network of boardwalks, waterfront pedestrian trails and regional trail connectors. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN TRESTLE (7) The renovation of the trestle and establishment of a trolley link at the Turning Basin will connect downtown with transit and river corridors spanning Petaluma from north to south. CAVANAGH LANDING (10) The existing park will be expanded and enhanced to emphasize this important gateway and its connection to the Turning Basin from the nearby transit mall and train depot. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT BOARDWALK (14) The boardwalk from C Street Landing (12) downstream provides an important connection and historic experience to the trail system. G STREET LANDING (18) AND H STREET LANDING (19) The Warehouse District Boardwalk connects the Turning Basin with pocket parks at G and H Streets, with fishing docks, access for hand-carried boats, and people-friendly spots to enjoy the scenery. INTERWOVEN CONNECTIONS STEAMER LANDING PARK (15) Plans for this existing park along the Bay Ridge Trail include trail improvements connecting D Street with Hopper Street, and overlooks and small craft landings near the River Heritage Center. Seating and a downstream vista will reward pedestrians walkilng to the Wind Sculpture (#22) at the Peninsula s tip. MCNEAR LANDING PARK (24) This intimate south-side neighborhood park will be integrated with connectors to the Southern Crossing and the Warehouse Boardwalk PROPOSED SEVEN-ACRE PARK (26) and Southern Crossing (27) A north-side waterfront trail between Steamer Landing Park and the Marina will provide a swath of greenway connecting with the future Southern Crossing over the river. ALMAN MARSH OVERLOOK (32) and Shollenberger Park Overlook (34) Interpretive areas, habitat enhancement, waterfront seating, and an inconspicuous bathroom will enhance these popular hiking, jogging, cycling, and birding trails. This area is the gateway to bike/footpaths along Ellis Creek and Adobe Creek, as well as the San Francisco Bay Trail. Updated January 28, 2012
7 As you wander, bike, or paddle along our land- and water-trails, you ll become aware that you are experiencing part of the interconnected network that comprises Petaluma Water Ways. Whether you pause for a moment s reflection at a pocket park, take advantage of one of several small craft landings, or bicycle the city s length, the sense of being a part of something larger will always be with you. Adobe Creek trail identity Wayfinding (guiding signs and other features) and navigational aids on land and water will orient trail users and help them select distances and destinations within Petaluma Water Ways and the many regional trails with which it connects. The markers range from artistic gateway monuments to small icons signifying access points, with graphics consistent throughout the network. Interpretive displays will tell the story of the river s historical, environmental, and cultural legacies. In these ways, Petaluma Water Ways will bring people and nature together like never before. Shollenberger interpretive sign Estimate: Programming (graphics, materials)... $ Design documents and cost estimates... $ Fabrication and construction/installation $
BRANDING IDENTITY GATEWAY (Water/Land) NAVIGATIONAL AID WAYFINDING DIRECTIONAL SMALL CRAFT LANDING BUTTON The sign program will include identity graphics, directional guides (wayfinding and navigational aids), and interpretive installations, while distinguishing important gateways or significant landmarks along both the land and water trails. PROJECT NUMBER AND TITLE 1 COPELAND CROSSING 2 WASHINGTON STREET BRIDGE OPEN SPACE 3 WASHINGTON STREET GATEWAY L 4 GOLDEN EAGLE OVERLOOK 5 WATER STREET 6 BALSHAW BRIDGE L 7 HISTORIC DOWNTOWN TRESTLE 8 GOLDEN EAGLE WATERFRONT AREA 9 TURNING BASIN 9A SMALL CRAFT RENTAL CENTER 10 CAVANAGH LANDING L 11 C ST. PUMP STATION 12 C ST. LANDING 13 ALTERNATIVE SMALL CRAFT CENTER LOCATION W 14 WAREHOUSE DIST. BOARDWALK/ D ST. UNDERCROSSING W, L 15 STEAMER LANDING PARK L 16 RIVER HERITAGE CENTER 17 THOMPSON CREEK OVERLOOK 18 G STREET LANDING 19 H STREET LANDING 20 FOUNDRY WHARF TROLLEY KIOSK 21 SMALL CRAFT LANDINGS 22 MCNEAR PENINSULA WIND SCULPTURE W 23 MOUNTAIN VIEW TRAIL CONNECTOR 24 MCNEAR LANDING PARK 25 PROPOSED SEVEN-ACRE PARK 25A ALTERNATIVE SMALL CRAFT CENTER SITE W 26 ALTERNATIVE SMALL CRAFT CENTER SITE W, L 27 SOUTHERN CROSSING W, L 28 SWINGBRIDGE UNDERCROSSING 29 SWINGBRIDGE OVERLOOK 29A MARINA BOAT RAMP W, L 30 MARINA POINT OVERLOOK 30A ALMAN MARSH ENTRANCE 31 ITALIAN GARDEN SLOUGH 32 ALMAN MARSH OVERLOOK 33 ADOBE CREEK INTERPRETIVE AREA 34 SHOLLENBERGER OVERLOOK W, L Updated March 8, 2012