Groundbreaking celebrates project connecting SSU to Crane Creek Regional Park
Sonoma State University, the city of Rohnert Park, Sonoma County Parks, and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District joined forces on Wednesday, May 28 in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Trail to Crane Creek Regional Park.
The groundbreaking, held at the park’s main entrance off Pressley Road, heralded a project that’s been in the works since 2007: connecting the park trail to the Sonoma State campus. Some 7,500 feet of 8-foot-wide multi-use trail will be built, along with a 90-foot steel pedestrian bridge over Copeland Creek; two 16-foot metal pedestrian bridges; drainage improvements, retaining walls, and fencing; and a new pedestrian traffic signal at Petaluma Hill Road and Laurel Drive, which is an eastern access point for the SSU campus.
The trail, scheduled for completion by spring 2026, is intended to expand access to outdoor recreation through direct connection to Crane Creek, encourage use of the park spaces, provide safe, car-free access to the park for students and residents, and foster a deeper understanding of Sonoma County’s natural and cultural landscape.
About 40 people attended the groundbreaking, including Rohnert Park and Cotati city officials, Sonoma County Parks and Ag & Open Space staff, and Sonoma State representatives. Rohnert Park Mayor Gerard Giudice led the proceedings, which concluded with a traditional “gold shovels in the dirt” ceremony.
SSU Interim President Emily Cutrer, one of several speakers, praised the project for “connecting communities,” and urged all those who will use the trail to “come be part of our campus.”