Healdsburg Veterans Beach Visioning
Why Perform A Healdsburg Veterans Beach Envisioning
The purpose of this project is to conduct a community-based planning process in partnership with the City of Healdsburg, to consider new park facilities and programs based on the current and future needs of the community, which will be included in the Master Plan. Ideas for new park features, including recreational and infrastructure improvements, will be balanced with natural resource values and conservation objectives, to create a Master Plan that is sensitive to the unique river environment.
This project will improve Russian River access, especially for paddle craft launching and take-out, provide a destination playground or other family-centered amenities, and address new regulatory river setback for septic system.
What’s Next?
Regional Parks has hired Design Workshop, Inc. to facilitate the community engagement process and develop the Master Plan and related documents for the Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach project.
We are in the process of performing user surveys and interviewing stakeholders prior to the first public meeting to gather information on community use, vision and desires as they relate to the park. The user surveys will be provided and performed at the park over the spring and summer, as well as at the Music on the Plaza event in Healdsburg on May 29, 2018. Please stop by to say hello and fill out the short survey.
We are planning a series of three community meetings to explore expanded uses, amenities, and revenue generation opportunities for the facility. These meetings are in addition to public meetings to be held at the Healdsburg City Council and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.
The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday June 7, 2018 at the park from 6 – 8pm. Refer to the Project Detail page for additional information and upcoming meeting dates.
Historic Information
Healdsburg Veteran’s Memorial Beach (HVMB) has been used by visitors and residents for community events and access to the Russian River for over a century. The historic bridge along the northeast corner of the property is near the location where settlers created a ford crossing in the 1850’s to navigate across the river during low flow periods. The bridge was originally built in 1921 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and forms the backdrop for views from the facility. The bridge has recently been renovated to meet seismic standards and restore many of the original features.
As early as 1905, log and earthen dams were constructed at this location on the Russian River to create a swimming and boating area for the general 
public. The dams evolved over time to the construction of a summer dam by the County in 1955 using post World War 2 funds budgeted for the construction of Veteran’s buildings and facilities. In 1957 the California State Water Rights Board issued a water rights license to the County of Sonoma to install the dam and impound water for recreational uses along the Russian River.
Background
The dam has gone through several renovations over the years, including the construction of a fish ladder by the Sonoma County Water Agency to provide fish passage during the months the dam is in place. Regulatory issues surrounding the dam and fish ladder continue to be a part of the annual installation of the dam and the operation and maintenance of the facility. However, resolving engineering and environmental conditions directly related to the dam and fish ladder is not part of this master plan process.
Regulatory requirements and current conditions will need to be identified in the master plan, the environmental document, and resource management plan, but regulatory agencies, through the permit process, will continue to update and place conditions on the installation of the dam and the beach grading. While the dam and fish ladder are not part of this specific Master Plan process, portage around the dam and fish ladder for kayaks, canoes, small boats, and other flotation devices will need to be identified and evaluated as part of the master plan, environmental document, and resource management plan.
There are 5 parcels, totaling approximately 11.53 acres, that were acquired by the County over a period of years between 1948 and 1964 to create the park. Two of the parcels extend into the Russian River which impacts the usable land base, especially when the dam is installed. The majority of the upland area is above the 100 year flood plain.