Riverkeeper Stewardship Park

Nowhere is the mission of the Russian Riverkeeper exemplified more than at Riverkeeper Demonstration Stewardship Park in downtown Guerneville. The five-acre park, which includes over 400 feet of shoreline along the Russian River, has transformed the former construction staging lot used by CalTrans when a new Highway 116 bridge was erected over the river.

Once rife with construction waste, litter and invasive plants, a target for vandals and hang-out for derelicts, the land, through the oversight of the Russian Riverkeeper and the hard work of two paid staff and hundreds of volunteers, has evolved into a real park. European and Bermuda grass, invasive blackberries and other weeds have been uprooted and replaced by native California grasses, shrubs and trees.

Volunteers from schools, businesses and the community have cleaned up the land, hauled out trash, built paths and planting beds, installed a water source and created biological zones compatible with the riparian habitat that once existed along the Russian River.

Just 14 miles east of the Russian River mouth at Jenner, the land was donated by the Horne Family of Guerneville to the Russian Riverkeeper organization in 2005. The Park is nestled between Highway 116 and the pedestrian bridge just off the town square at the eastern entrance to Guerneville. (Link to map)

The transformation taking place fits in with the Russian Riverkeeper’s mission to protect and restore areas within the Russian River watershed while providing education to the general public. If a park visitor happens by on Wednesday mornings he or she will encounter Park Manager Victoria Wikle and Noxious Weed Specialist Julie Cross along with a dedicated group of volunteers. Typically, they are planting, mulching, weeding and watering. On-going maintenance involves nurturing native plants, erosion control, keeping paths clear and level, picking up litter and holding undesirable plants at bay.  About 30 percent of the land has been restored.

Several times a year volunteer crews from Santa Rosa-based companies Marmot Mountain Ltd., Agilent Technologies, Medtronic Corporation and students such as those from the Sonoma Academy come out to Riverkeeper Park where they give a boost to the restoration progress. The park also serves as a de facto nature lab for elementary school students and a work site for young adults in Sonoma Youth Ecology crews.

There is still much to do. Future plans include enhancing the six distinct ecological zones within the park:

• Redwood forest, near the existing trees with appropriate understory plantings.
• Upper Riparian plain habitat, a zone of shrubs and meadow grasses.
• Native meadow, another type of plain marked with lower-growing plants interspersed with trees.
• Bioswale, planted to prevent erosion and clean runoff draining from parking lot.
• Shoreline habitat, the steep banks along the river, marked by soil-holding plants.
• Lower shoreline habitat, the beach and bank zone subject to periodic inundation.

With the infusion of a recent $281,000 Rivers and Parkways state grant, Riverkeeper Park over the next few years will be adding to its hardscape with a new entrance kiosk, a hard surface pathway for handicapped access, a picnic area, a community circle, a river overlook, a young stewards’ play area, a fish-ladder demonstration, a floating classroom, a naturally tiered outdoor classroom, a willow overlook area, a secure storage shed, trash facilities, permanent irrigation lines, and several rain gardens and bioswales.

So if you want to wander among native trees and grasses, watch birds or gaze at the river, Riverkeeper Park welcomes you. Further, the park welcomes volunteers, experience not necessary. The address is 16153 Main Street, Guerneville, although the park is not visible from the street. Access is down a driveway located between Sonoma Nesting Co. and the town plaza. Parking is available near the entrance to the park.

Volunteer

When: Every Wednesday. Event cancelled when there is enough rain to need a raincoat.

Time: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM, please join us for all or part.

Bring: Water and gloves—wear sturdy shoes.

Where: 16153 Main St. Guerneville, located on the north bank of the Russian River directly upstream of the pedestrian bridge. Access is down a driveway west of Sonoma Nesting Co. At the bottom of the driveway look for the blue and white sign that says, “Russian Riverkeeper Demonstration Riparian Restoration Project Future Community Park.”  Parking is available near the sign.

Managers and crew are there on Wednesdays 8:30-11:30 a.m. Look for Victoria Wikle or Julie Cross. You can also email Victoria at VictoriaWikle@usa.net or call her at 707 865-2474.