The Matching Grant Program offers grants to applicants from the county’s nine cities, local agencies and non-profit organizations in a unique partnership. It can provide funding for land acquisition and restoration and improvements for urban open space projects and recreation projects within or near incorporated areas. Creative proposals from the past have allowed the District to assist in enhancing areas such as the Prince Memorial Greenway in Santa Rosa, the West County Trail and the Windsor Town Green, a popular family gathering place for the community. The Matching Grant Program allows the District to work closely with the county’s nine cities, local agencies and non-profit organizations in a unique partnership. Through this innovative program, the District offers grants that allow our partners to enhance natural areas and to provide urban open spaces for public recreation. Matching Grant partnerships have resulted in beautiful open spaces in urban areas, such as the Windsor Town Green and the Prince Memorial Greenway.
Proposed Matching Grant recipients for 2007 are:
Castagnasso Farm: $2,500,000
Request by the City of Sonoma to protect a 2.72-acre heritage farm in the heart of downtown Sonoma, adjacent to the Mission San Francisco de Solano.
Crane Creek Regional Trail: $711,270
Request by the City of Rohnert Park to extend the Copeland Creek bicycle /pedestrian path from Sonoma State University to Crane Creek Regional Park.
East Washington Park Ballfields: $2,000,000
Request by the City of Petaluma to assist in the development of ballfields that will serve active recreational needs in the city and region.
West County Trail – Ross Station Rd. Trailhead: $88,000
Request by Sonoma County Regional Parks to develop a new trailhead on County-owned property to connect with the West County Trail.
Small Farm Purchase: $250,000
Request by FarmLink to assist in the purchase of an 8.66-acre agricultural property near Sebastopol to maintain local agricultural use.
Colgan Creek Park and Restoration: $2,000,000
Request by the City of Santa Rosa to assist in the purchase of properties in southwest Santa Rosa to create a 1.3-mile greenway including a restored creek, pathway and a community park.
Southwest Santa Rosa Park: $1,311,229
Request by the City of Santa Rosa and LandPaths to assist with the purchase of the Bayer property that will provide a community garden and outdoor recreation in the Roseland area.
Russian River Park: $50,000
Request by Russian RiverKeeper to enhance education, public access and trail use and vegetation management on a 5-acre parcel along the Russian River.
Laguna de Santa Rosa Acquisition and Improvements: $800,000
Request by the City of Sebastopol to assist in acquisition of property to enhance public access as an addition to the City’s Laguna Wetlands Preserve.
Sebastopol Recreation and Enhancement: $529,575
Request by the City of Sebastopol for development assistance on their Skate Park and Community Garden.
