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Regional Parks presents Measure M annual report; supervisors praise Maxwell Farms, trails and restoration work
Summary
Regional Parks presented its first comprehensive annual Measure M report highlighting Maxwell Farms, Taylor Mountain Trails, habitat restoration projects and partnerships; the board unanimously received the report and discussed outreach and potential future ballot timing.
Sonoma County Regional Parks on March 11 presented its first comprehensive Parks for All Measure M annual report to the Board of Supervisors, showcasing capital projects, habitat restoration and community programs funded by Measure M.
Director Bert Whitaker and Deputy Director Melanie Parker framed the report around leverage and partnerships, noting Maxwell Farms Regional Park as the largest capital project in the agency’s history, new sections of Taylor Mountain trails, and habitat restoration at Shiloh Ranch, Hood Mountain and Doran Beach. Staff said Measure M has helped stabilize park operations, increase collaboration with the county’s nine cities and leverage matching grants to multiply local dollars.
Supervisors praised the report’s financial transparency and the parks’ ability to leverage funds. Supervisor Gore asked about city outreach and whether Measure M reauthorization should be staggered with related local measures; staff said reauthorization timing is under discussion and will be subject to polling. Board members also urged bilingual outreach for report summaries; staff said one-page bilingual highlights will be distributed.
Community members and oversight committee members — including Cindy Bagley (Rohnert Park community services director), Sylvia Lemus (Regional Parks Foundation board director), Meredith Rennie and Chris Borer (Measure M oversight committee members) — spoke in support of the report and noted the program’s broad countywide benefits. The board moved to receive the report; the motion carried unanimously with all four supervisors present.
