Park etiquette
I drive by Shiloh Ranch Regional Park on a near-daily basis and for years it has chapped my hide to see how many people can’t be bothered to pay the measly $7 in fees to park there, choosing instead to park outside the park and walk in for free. Perhaps a few of them truly can’t afford it, but judging by the makes and models of vehicles I see parked along Faught Road just outside the entrance, it feels unlikely.
It make me grumble every time I drive by.
However, my irritation with the lack of care for our parks grew even more this week when I noticed that despite that fact that they had closed the park due to the recent storms, people were still parking on the road, hopping the fence and going into the park, strolling right past the chained gates and closed signs.
I even saw people playing Frisbee.
People, don’t be gross. The park is closed during inclement weather for a reason. Yes, in part to keep you safe (at the rate giant trees have been falling this winter, I wouldn’t be so glib about a tree-lined stroll) but also to protect the soft and fragile ground from human impact. Everything is saturated and every footfall is damaging.
So come on, suck it up and be a reasonable member of society and stop ignoring the closed signs.
And for heaven’s sake, pay your $7 and do it with gratitude in your heart that we have such natural beauty to enjoy.
River recovery
If you’ve been in Sonoma County a long time, you know that this winter is very reminiscent of the winters from decades ago. As a child in the ’80s and ’90s, Guerneville flooding, the river rising and long periods of rain and darkness were a normal winter.
As a region we may have forgotten all that after years and years of drought, but this winter and the one two years ago are a strong reminder of what a “real” Sonoma County looks like.
According to a statement from the county, “once the floodwaters receded, county staff began conducting damage assessments on the estimated 2,600 properties that were inundated by flooding. Emergency response staff and elected officials also conducted a flyover assessment, documenting preliminary widespread damage across the county.
“These initial assessments estimate approximately $155 million in damages countywide, including approximately 1,900 homes (1,760 with major damage) and 578 businesses.
“On Feb. 26, the Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency proclamation and requested assistance from the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom responded to this request and declared a state of emergency on Feb. 28, which allows Sonoma County to access state resources and mutual aid to assist in recovery efforts.”
Winter isn’t over yet, and just like the fires from two years ago, it’s time to prove just how Sonoma County Strong we are.
You can see current emergency information at socoemergency.org.
Heather Bailey is the editor of The Windsor Times.
