City of Sonoma Parks Partially Open Following County Health Officer’s Amended Park Closure Order

The Sonoma County health officer has issued an updated amended parks closure order that allows limited access to parks for outdoor recreational activities beginning May 13, 2020, and until further notice. The order replaces the total parks closure order of March 23, 2020 and the amended parks closure order of April 28, 2020.

Please read the full order No. C19-11 “Amended parks closure order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, allowing limited, socially distanced access to some park, for outdoor recreational activities ” carefully and refer to the County of Sonoma’s FAQ’s (following the order) on socoemergency.org for more information.

General restrictions and requirements for all City of Sonoma parks as per the Sonoma County Public Health Officer Order:

• You can walk, bike or drive from your home to parks in Sonoma.
• Park use is primarily focused on walking, hiking, jogging and bicycling (where allowed).
• Pathways, grass and field areas, sport fields, basketball courts, Bocce courts and Petanque courts are open only for use by individuals or members of the same household.
• Players who are not members of the same household cannot share sports facilities at the same time.
• Playgrounds, picnic areas, barbecue areas, drinking fountains, dog parks and other gathering or high-touch areas remain closed.
• Every potential park user must conduct a self-assessment of their health and shall not enter a Park if they have any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or if they had direct contact with a COVID-19 positive individual(s) in the past 14 days.
• Carry facial coverings at all times and wear them when unable to maintain a six-foot distance from persons who are not part of the same household.
• All park users must practice social distancing and hygiene protocols.
• Vulnerable populations should use particular discretion and caution.
• In the event of crowding or non-compliance with the amended park closure order, parks may be closed again.

Specific Updates for Sonoma Parks and Facilities

• Overlook Trail and Montini Preserve
• • Open for hiking, jogging and walking.
  • Bicycling is not allowed.

• Bike Paths
  • Open for walking, jogging, and cycling.

• Plaza Park
  • Pedestrian walkways and grass areas are open.
  • Play in grass areas is only for individuals or members of the same household.
  • High-touch and gathering areas are closed including:
    • Drinking Fountains
    • Picnic Tables
    • Playgrounds
  • Restrooms are closed; opening protocols are being evaluated

• Depot Park
  • Open only for use by individuals or members of the same household:
    • Pathways
    • Grass and Field Areas
    • Bocce Courts
    • Petanque Courts
  • High-touch and gathering areas are closed including:
    • Drinking Fountains
    • Barbeque Pits
    • Picnic Areas
    • Playgrounds
  • Restrooms are closed; opening protocols are being evaluated

• Neighborhood Parks including Armstrong Park, Herenstein Park, Juan Vineyard, K.T. Carter Park, MacArthur Park, Madera Park (Fryer Creek), Nathanson Creek Park and Preserve, Olsen Park, Pinelli Park, and Sonoma Valley Oaks
  • Open only for use by individuals or members of the same household:
    • Pathways
    • Grass and Field Areas
    • Sport Fields
    • Basketball Courts
    • Bocce Courts
    • Petanque Courts
  • High-touch and gathering areas are closed including:
    • Drinking Fountains
    • Barbeque Pits
    • Picnic Areas
    • Playgrounds

• Sonoma Garden Park is open as an agricultural operation providing food for participants, in compliance with the following additional social-distancing and hygiene protocols:
  • Operated only for the purpose of food growth/production;
  • Soap and running water available;
  • No more than one person in a garden at a time, unless it is sufficiently large to accommodate more than one person while maintaining at least six feet of distance at all times;
  • All garden entry and use subject to the health and exposure self-assessment limitations set out in section “8.c” and “8.d”of the Amended Park Closure Order;
  • Facial coverings are worn in order to allow more than one person at a time in a garden, in addition to maintaining the six feet of distance between gardeners;
  • Gardeners strongly encouraged to bring their own tools;
  • All tools used will be cleaned with a CDC recommended disinfected after each use and will not be shared throughout the day;
  • Gardeners must use their own gloves;
  • Benches and other communal spaces are off-limits for the duration of this Order.

• Sonoma Dog Park
  • Closed per section 7.b of the updated Amended Park Closure Order

• Cemeteries – Mountain, Valley and Veterans
  • Open for visiting gravesites.
  • Open for funerals with no more than 10 people.
  • Open for hiking and walking.
  • Social distancing and facial coverings are required.

• Public Schools are closed except for pathway through Sonoma Valley High School along Nathanson Creek.

• State Park Properties are closed except for Sonoma Bike Path through Vallejo Home and pedestrian path near Barracks.