To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Elizabeth Tyree (707) 565-2575
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
Shiloh Ranch Regional Park Phase 4 Habitat Conservation Fund Grant
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Regional Parks to apply for the State Parks' Habitat Conservation Fund in the amount of $320,000 for Shiloh Ranch Regional Park Phase 4 construction and authorizing the Director of Regional Parks to execute all documents which may be necessary to carry out and administer the grant. (Fourth District)
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Executive Summary:
Regional Parks is seeking $320,000 to complete the 4-mile unpaved North Loop Trail at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park identified in the park master plan. This project will include a major trail bridge and will open a third of the park that is currently unreachable for public use. The total estimated cost is $640,000 and $320,000 in local matching funding the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation, Area 2 Park Mitigation Fees, Parks for All Measure M, along with the value of in-kind services is identified for this project.
Discussion:
Regional Parks is requesting this Board’s support to apply for $320,000 from State Parks’ Habitat Conservation Fund grant program to complete Shiloh Ranch Regional Park Phase 4. The total estimated project cost is $640,000, including design, permitting, and construction of four miles of trail including a trail bridge crossing a steep ravine.
Shiloh Ranch Regional Park in southeast Windsor features a rugged landscape in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains and currently offers nearly 8 miles of trails for hiking, bicycle, and horseback riding. The 850-acre park includes oak woodlands, forests of mixed evergreens, ridges with sweeping views of the Santa Rosa Plain, canyons, rolling hills, a shaded creek, and a pond. The parking area features a large lot for horse trailers, a flush restroom, and a drinking fountain.
The land was deeded to the County for a regional park in 1988 as a condition for development of the surrounding 100-lot residential subdivision. The Shiloh Ranch Regional Park Master Plan was completed and approved by the Board of Supervisors in 1990, which Plan includes the features intended for completion via the grant for which staff recommends authorizing the application. Some ranch roads and trails existed on the parkland and the Faught Road entry, picnic area, parking including horse trailer parking, and restroom were developed as funding was available. The North Loop Trail is the remaining significant trail corridor identified in the Master Plan. This unpaved multi-use trail and trail bridge will provide access to the northern third of parkland. Grant funding will be used to assist with detailed design of the proposed improvements, which will return to the Board for final review and approval prior to award of the contract for construction.
This area was impacted by the 2017 and 2019 wildfires, received some slope stabilization and restoration work funded by others, and is recovering. This additional trail work will be constructed with resilient materials and design methods to survive future disasters.
The Habitat Conservation Fund grant program is an annual competitive funding opportunity, offering $2 million statewide to local entities for project protecting threatened species, addressing wildlife corridors, and creating and improving trails. In prior rounds Regional Parks has received this funding for projects throughout the county including acquiring the Cooper Creek addition to Taylor Mountain, McCormick Ranch acquisition, Mark West Creek Park acquisition, West County Trail acquisition, Crane Creek Park restoration, and trails at Doran, Stillwater Cove, and Helen Putnam regional parks.
This grant program requires a dollar-for-dollar match. We have identified $20,000 from the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation, $50,000 from Area 2 Park Mitigation Fees, $230,000 from Parks for All Measure M, along with the $15,000 value of in-kind services and $5,000 value of volunteer labor to provide the required $320,000 local match.
Grant applications, including an authorizing resolution, are due June 15. This competitive grant could be awarded early 2024. If funded, Regional Parks will provide long-term operation and management of these trail improvements.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
June 13, 2022, accepted the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan 2022-2027 including subject Shiloh Ranch Regional Park Phase 4 project.
May 10, 1988, by Resolution No. 88-0734, authorized execution of a park dedication agreement and acceptance of deed from Shiloh Associates for dedication of real property.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
No impacts currently. If the grant application is approved, budgetary adjustments for revenue and expenditure appropriations for this project will be made to the FY23/24 adopted budget.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None