Article published - March 21, 2005
When it comes to public access to public land, the history of recent
acquisitions is not always reassuring. As Sonoma County officials move closer to
acquiring a long-sought, south county park - $18 million Tolay Lake Ranch - the
first priority should be to advance the day that visitors, whenever they want,
can enjoy a picnic and take a walk around the lake.
Supervisor Mike
Kerns, who has championed this acquisition, said he is determined to make that
happen: "I appreciate there must be certain limits, at least in the beginning...
but it's got to be available to the public... if we spend this much money,
people are going to want to go out and use the property."
Mary Burns,
director of regional parks, says her agency has set aside $1 million to perform
necessary improvements. This reserve responds to a common problem for parks -
money can be found for acquisition, but not for development and day-to-day
operations.
Kerns hopes operating costs can be paid, in part, by revenue
from grazing leases, the existing vineyard and even the fall pumpkin harvest
which attracts 20,000 visitors to this private ranch each fall.
Still,
obstacles remain: (1) Officials must negotiate a public easement with a
neighboring property owner, resolving concerns about noise and traffic; (2)
Environmental and engineering studies will take a year to 18 months; (3) Future
studies of Native American sites and wildlife habitat will influence decisions
on the extent of public access.
These are necessary preparations that
inevitably must wait until the property is purchased.
At the same time,
government - buffeted by budget shortfalls, bureaucracy and the demands of
neighbors and interest groups - too often finds reasons to
procrastinate.
Three years from now - if Sonoma County spends $18 million
for a regional park - residents of the south county should expect to see a
welcome sign at the front gate of Tolay Lake Ranch.
If the sign says, "Visitors by appointment only," this will be public land in name only - and a
major disappointment.
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050321/NEWS/503210339/1043/OPINION01
© The Press Democrat. For copyright information view our User Agreement