Sonoma County Regional Parks announced today that it has reopened the section of the Joe Rodota Trail in Santa Rosa that had been closed due to public safety concerns after numerous homeless encampments were established along the trail. The public will have access to the entire trail Saturday morning.

County officials worked with all of the homeless individuals in the encampment to move or be relocated to alternative shelter sites in the area. Some fencing will remain in place for the time being to prevent other encampments from forming along the trail.

A section of the trail was closed on Jan. 20 due to concerns about the camp’s impact on the safety of those using the 8.5-mile path that connects downtown Santa Rosa to Sebastopol. Working together, staff from the county’s Department of Health Services Homeless Division Team and Community Development Commission were able to place 29 individuals from the encampments at alternative shelters.

Sonoma County Regional Parks Department completed the clean-up process at the trail and removed the debris this week.

Individuals camped at the site who opted for the alternative shelters received assistance from county staff to relocate their belongings. Staff from the Homeless Division will continue working on housing plans for each individual to find appropriate, stable housing for all individuals.

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Contact Information:

Gilbert Martinez, Communication Specialist

publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org

575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

(707) 565-3040