Envisioning a Future for Sonoma's Developmental Center

By Bruce Robinson • Apr 29, 2015
  • Seen from the hillside above, the Sonoma Developmental Center's 200 acre cluster of buildings is overshadowed by the surrounding greenery.
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    Seen from the hillside above, the Sonoma Developmental Center's 200 acre cluster of buildings is overshadowed by the surrounding greenery.
    Sonoma Land Trust
  • Existing trails, such as this, already connect portions of the Development Center property to the adjacent Jack London State Park.
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    Existing trails, such as this, already connect portions of the Development Center property to the adjacent Jack London State Park.
    Sonoma Land Trust
  • Fren Lake is among the hidden attractions on the land
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    Fren Lake is among the hidden attractions on the land
    Sonoma Land Trust
  • An alternate perspective: from the Sonoma Valley floor looking upward toward the ridgetop
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    An alternate perspective: from the Sonoma Valley floor looking upward toward the ridgetop
    Sonoma Land Trust
  • Hiker such as these would become officialy sanctioned, if the undeveloped portions of the Developmental Center property eventually become public parklands.
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    Hiker such as these would become officialy sanctioned, if the undeveloped portions of the Developmental Center property eventually become public parklands.
    Sonoma Land Trust

Shown in yellow, the Sonoma Developmental Center property represents a key potential link among other public and protected lands nearby.
Credit Sonoma Ecology Center

For more than a century, the state Developmental Center has been a large and complex presence in the Sonoma Valley. But what will become of it in the future is a wide open question.

The Sonoma Land Trust's John McCaull shows off a corner of the unspoiled lands at the Developmental Center.
Credit Bruce Robinson, KRCB

  It’s become clear to everyone involved that the future of the Sonoma Developmental Center will be quite different from its past or present. So how will that new path be determined?  John McCaull, a land acquisitions manager for the Sonoma Land Trust, explains the process being initiated this weekend to explore answers.

That first community workshop on the future of the Sonoma Developmental Center will be held Saturday, May 2, from 9 to 1 at the Vintage House in Sonoma.  Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to reserve a place in advance by calling 526-6930, ext. 123 or by email here or here.

Kathleen Miller, president of the Parent Hospital Association, says the process is designed to incorporate as many interested voices as possible.

Tags: 
open space
disability
planning
Sonoma
public meeting