Santa Rosa Launched Southeast Greenway Planning Process
The city has initiated public workshops to develop a masterplan for the 49-acre park site.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Santa Rosa officials have begun the masterplanning phase for the 49-acre Southeast Greenway. The project aims to shape the park's long-term design to accommodate diverse needs within the community.
Why it matters
The planning process is intended to define the long-term vision for this 2.2-mile corridor. Input gathered during the workshops will help ensure the final space meets the specific requirements of local residents.
The 49-acre project site is 2.2 miles long and 300 feet wide, with $1.2 million sourced from park impact fees and $750,000 from grant funding. The planning contract with CMG Landscape Architecture is valued at $2.67 million.
The players
Santa Rosa
This is the city government responsible for overseeing the development and maintenance of public infrastructure and parks.
CMG Landscape Architecture
This is the firm contracted by the city to lead the design and masterplanning of the park.
California Department of Transportation
This is the state agency that originally owned the property before transferring it to the city.
The details
The city acquired the property from the California Department of Transportation after reserving 9 acres for future housing. Consultants are currently analyzing site conditions and prior outreach to inform the masterplan development, with a draft expected by summer 2027.
Timeline
October 2024: City finalized the purchase of the site.
June 2026: Contract awarded to CMG Landscape Architecture.
October 10, 2026: Community walk event held on the greenway.
November 4, 2026: Public workshop held in English.
November 5, 2026: Public workshop held in Spanish.
Market Landscape
This project reflects a broader trend of repurposing state-owned transportation land into local community assets. It mirrors current urban development strategies that prioritize integrating public recreational zones with planned high-density housing.
Residents can influence the design of the park by participating in the upcoming workshops or completing the city's online survey. This input process determines the final utility and accessibility of the new park space in their neighborhood.
The takeaway
Early public participation ensures that the greenway design aligns with the specific needs of local residents. Stakeholders should leverage the provided online survey to contribute feedback if they are unable to attend the in-person sessions.
What happens next
The city will host community workshops at Montgomery Junior Senior High School on November 4 and November 5, 2026, to gather public input for the draft masterplan.
Further reading
For more information on local development efforts, visit the Philanthropy section.
More information
Review the latest project documents on the Southeast Greenway project update portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
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