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DONATE TO TAYLOR MOUNTAIN

New Trails Coming to Taylor Mountain 

​Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve is home to a mosaic of grassland, wetland, riparian, scrub and oak woodland plant communities. The park supports an abundance of wildlife species, and it links the stream corridors, parks and backyards of Santa Rosa to the Sonoma Mountains. It is also a hub for outdoor recreation in Sonoma County.

Providing a picturesque backdrop to Santa Rosa, Taylor Mountain offers ample public recreation on the urban edge. Over half the county's population lives within just 20 minutes of the park. Park visitors take in a sweeping view of the Santa Rosa Plain, while disc golf enthusiasts enjoy the 18-hole course. The park offers a vital reprieve from the urban landscape for families who live on nearby Santa Rosa Avenue.

Currently, the park offers 8 miles of trails, mostly old ranch roads that deliver access to this outstanding playground for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders alike. Construction has been underway that will double the trail mileage at the park. The Park Master Plan calls for 18 miles of primarily multi-use trails. 

Sonoma County’s largest trail construction project in over a decade is underway at Taylor Mountain Park & Preserve. The new trails will give hikers, cyclists and equestrians access to an additional 450 acres and eight miles of new multi-use trails, doubling the park’s existing trail network.

Much of the new trail system is complete but needs additional touch-up work to ensure ideal trail performance. Finishing work will include improving drainage and adding gravel to mitigate clay sections of the trail, removing downed trees, and trimming back vegetation.

The Parks Foundation has commmitted $20,000 to cover these improvements. Following this winter’s rains, Regional Parks will assess the performance of the new trails, and the Parks Foundation is likely to fund additional trail refinements in the future.

This project includes trails on the north and eastern sides of Taylor Mountain, several bridges across seasonal wetlands, and three new walk-in/bike-in entrances for neighborhood use. New trails will cover a variety of topography, from steeper grades leading to the top of 1,120-foot Cogan Peak, to more gradual traverses, including an ADA-accessible trail through Colgan Peak Canyon. Upon completion of the new trails, 75% of the 1,100-acre park will be available for public access.


 
Funding from the Parks Foundation is key to making this expanded trail system possible. The project is funded by a $1.83 million Recreational Trails Program grant through California State Parks, with local matching funds from the Sonoma County Parks Foundation and other sources. 
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New multi-purpose trails for hikers, cyclists and equestrians are being completed on the north and eastern sides of Taylor Mountain. These new trails will include several bridges across seasonal wetlands and creeks and new walk-in/bike-in entrances for neighborhood use. New trails range from steeper grades to the top of 1,120-foot Colgan Peak to an ADA-accessible trail through Colgan Creek Canyon for those with mobility challenges.
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In addition to new trails, Taylor Mountain will benefit from habitat restoration projects in 2024-25. Regional Parks will undertake restoration at multiple sites in the park, including a highly visible wetland by the Kawana Terrace entrance.

Benefits of habitat restoration include:
  • Controlling invasive plants and benefiting native plant species, such as chain ferns and wildflowers, and native animal species, including California red-legged frog (a special status species) butterflies, birds and mammals
  • Reducing fire risk by managing vegetation
  • Enhancing the watershed function of Colgan Creek and Todd Creek, reducing sediment pollution and downstream flooding

 For more information, please contact Parks Foundation Executive Director Melissa Kelley.
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Our Tax ID: 68-0421813
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EN ESPAÑOL
OUR MISSION
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation raises funds, fosters partnerships and advocates on behalf of Sonoma County Regional Parks. We are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports programs and projects at 60+ Sonoma County parks and trails, including popular destinations like Spring Lake, Doran Beach, Sonoma Valley, Ragle Ranch, Foothill Regional Park, Tolay Lake Regional Park and more.
OUR ADDRESS (as of 9/13/24)
Sonoma County Parks Foundation
400 Aviation Blvd, Suite 100
Santa Rosa, California 95403
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Copyright 2025 Sonoma County Parks Foundation
  • Home
  • OUR WORK
    • Parks & Trails
    • Parks Programs
  • EVENTS
    • Top Dog Photo Contest 2025
    • Water Bark
    • Bill & Dave Legacy Hikes
  • MAKE A DONATION
    • Ways to Give >
      • Giving Levels & Benefits
      • Park Pals
      • Bench & Picnic Table Sponsorship
      • Sponsor a Sheep
      • Tree Fund
      • Sponsorships
      • Corporate Matching Programs
      • Legacy Society
    • SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
  • MEDIA
    • VIDEOS >
      • VIDEO: Celebrate the Good Stuff
      • VIDEO: Pinnacle Gulch
      • VIDEO: The Trails You Love
      • VIDEO: Working Together at Helen Putnam Regional Park
      • VIDEO: YOUTH PROGRAMS
      • VIDEO: CAMPERSHIPS
      • VIDEO: MEET THE SNOWY PLOVER
    • BLOG: FOR THE LOVE OF PARKS
    • MEDIA ARCHIVE >
      • Archive: Hood Mountain
      • Archive: Foothill Regional Park
    • E-News
  • ABOUT US
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
  • GIFT IDEAS