Petaluma River Trail Kayak Tour - California State Parks

1 Petaluma River Trail Kayak tour Tuesday, March 27, 2018 9 to 4 Early Bird Fee: $75 includes workshop, Kayak rental, lunch, & transportation Presenters: Greg Sabourin, Executive Director of Petaluma Small Craft Center & Founder of North Bay Rowing Club John FitzGerald, Civil Engineer (Retired), River Historian and Advocate Susan Starbird, Co-founder Petaluma Small Craft Center & Co-Founder River Town Racers Stephanie Bastianon, Executive Director, Friends of the Petaluma River Ben Botkin, Planner, San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail Description: Take a journey through time on the Petaluma River . Kayak with a team of River advocates to learn how the River is being transformed from an industrial lifeline into the City of Petaluma s longest park. Attendees will learn how local citizens have shaped the history and current use of the Petaluma River and how interactions between city government, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail , local non-profits, and recreational groups have helped shape a vision for the future.

2 Presentations will cover tactics and strategy, as well as public relations that help form a positive vision of a central waterway. Itinerary: 9:00 - Depart Rohnert Park 9:30 - Kayak up the Petaluma River ( miles) 11:00 - Disembark at the Petaluma River Turning Basin and walk to the River Heritage Center ( mile round trip) 12:15 - Lunch at the River Heritage Center 1:00 - Walk back to Turning Basin, board kayaks , and paddle to Petaluma Marina (2 miles) 2:45 - Brief walking tour of Schollenberger Park along the boardwalk, time permitting ( mile) 4:00 - Return to Rohnert Park How To Prepare: Participants should be prepared to Kayak approximately miles and walk one mile. Wear lose, comfortable clothing in layers. Bring water, hat, and sunscreen. A Kayak and appropriate safety gear will be provided. Weather: There will be no change to the itinerary in case of rain. Participants will be expected to bring rain gear if rain is in the forecast.

3 Minimum/Max attendance: Minimum 10 people. Maximum 20 people. Presenter Bios Greg Sabourin brings a broad range of experience in financial development, marketing strategies, organizational development, and project management to activate the Petaluma River for rowers and paddlers. John FitzGerald has served on numerous advisory committees beginning in 1986 when he was a founding member of the Petaluma River Festival. He has made the River the focus of his preservation and advocacy work for more than 25 years. Susan Starbird is a former US ( Kayak ) Marathon Team member and shares her passion for the Petaluma River with the community through the Petaluma Water Ways project, competitive rowing programs, and development of interpretive River signage. Stephanie Bastianon is Executive Director of Friends of the Petaluma River , which was formed to connect the community to the Petaluma Watershed through interpretive education, events at the River Heritage Center, and family programming around the Watershed.

4 Ben Botkin is the planner for the nine county San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail . The Water Trail is enhancing access for non-motorized small boaters, including providing grants and planning assistance for help activate waterways like the Petaluma River .