Russian River Multi-Use Trail

On hot summer days the traffic on Highway 116 and River Road grinds to a crawl through Guerneville.  The only way to maintain the charm and beauty for a multi-use trail roughly following the Russian River from Cloverdale in Northern Sonoma County to Jenner by the Sea on the Sonoma Coast. The Planned SMART trail from Healdsburg to Cloverdale would service part of that route.

Several years ago a Riverfront Trail from Healdsburg to Jenner by the Sea was included in the County General Plan. Funding was still lacking and the exact route was never specified. Now Sonoma County Parks is seeking a $350,00 Sustainable Communities Grant from the State to do a feasibility study specifically on the segment from Korbel Winery to Duncans Mills. The study would define feasible routes and estimate costs.. There is one catch. The grant will require local $47,000 in matching funds. The Supervisors have allotted $10,000 of the Transit Occupancy Tax (the tax tourists pay) toward the matching funds. It is unclear where the remaining funds will come from.

When built this trail will connect Jenner by the Sea, Duncans Mills (where it will connect with the Heritage Trail), Monte Rio, Guerneville, Sunset Beach Regional Park, Steelhead Beach Regional Park (where it will connect with the P&SR Railroad Trail), Forestville, Riverfront Regional Park and Healdsburg.  From Healdsburg the SMART trail will eventually connect to three wineries, Geyserville, Asti and Cloverdale.