Open Space

Throughout this beautiful property you’ll find breathtaking views of the Mayacamas, Fitch Mountain, Lake Sonoma Basin, coastal range, and the Russian River at Digger’s Bend. Situated right on the urban edge of Healdsburg, trails wander through oak woodland, serpentine chaparral, and mixed hardwood forests. This lovely, natural preserve abounds with wildlife and opportunities for hiking and walking.

CLICK HERE to download a Trail Map of the Healdsburg Ridge

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (District) and the City of Healdsburg  had the Grand Opening of the new Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve on November 15, 2008. The District and the City will jointly manage this spectacular wildland right on the urban edge northeast side of Healdsburg.

“This new preserve represents such an excellent example of the District working with the City to offer public access to the lands protected for the people of Sonoma County,” said Paul Kelley, 4th District Supervisor. “It illustrates the unique partnerships the District now is pursuing, largely made possible by voter-approval of Measure F in November 2006.”

The District began its efforts to protect these lands from development in 1996 in an effort to protect the scenic hillsides of Healdsburg through conservation easements across several of the key parcels. In 2003, the District was given the opportunity to purchase these lands outright and thus allowing for the creation of the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve. The Preserve consists of a wide array of plants and animals including wetlands and oak woodlands, rocky serpentine chaparral and open grasslands. Deer and rabbits are scattered throughout drawing top predators like bobcats and mountain lions. For an area of only 155 acres, the diversity it supports is quite impressive including over 40 bird species and rare plants like serpentine rye grass and a species of Ceanothus that has yet to be described by scientists.

Since July 1996, the District has been preserving open space along the prominent ridgeline north of Healdsburg near Parkland Farms. With voter approval of Measure F in November 2006, limited sales tax funding is now available for management and public access on District purchased recreational land. The Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve includes oak woodlands, serpentine chaparral, rare plants, wetlands, forests, and a local water feature, Fox Pond. The management plan for the property recommends low-intensity public recreational uses, which will allow the public to enjoy the land while avoiding impacts to sensitive natural resources. Existing trails will be improved and new trails constructed. Trail maintenance and local volunteer patrols will be provided through a partnership with LandPaths: www.landpaths.org a non-profit that works to connect local communities to protected open space lands. After an initial start-up period of 5 years for trail construction and improvements to the preserve, title will be transferred to the City and the District will hold a conservation easement on the property.

 About the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Since its first acquisition in 1992, the District has protected 152 agricultural, natural resource and recreational properties totaling over 72,000 acres, through conservation easement and outright purchase. Land purchases are funded through a 1/4-cent sales tax approved by Sonoma County voters in 1990 and extended to 2031 in November 2006. To learn more about the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, log on to www.sonomaopenspace.org