Creek Week 2011

Get out your waders and your tadpole catchers, we’re coming up on Creek Week! All through the Russian River and Santa Rosa Creek areas will be educational and adventurous events that celebrate our local waterways and offer ways to restore the creeks and enhance the habitat of our fish and wildlife.

The week kicks off with the 27th Annual Sonoma County Coast and Creek Clean Up. On Saturday, September 17th, volunteers will meet at Doyle Park at the Doyle Park Drive entrance at 9am, and work towards cleaning up debris and trash until noon. Gloves, tools, and snacks will be provided. (For more beach clean ups, contact Coastwalk at 829-6689). Contact: Alistair Bleifuss at 543-3845 or ableifuss@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us.

Also on Saturday, Santa Rosa Creek will be host to the Whitewater Rodeo from 10:30am – noon. The whole family is invited out to race homebuilt toy boats down the raging shallow waters of the creek. Bring your own creation, or create a boat on the spot with materials (and assistance!) that will be available to the public. During the event, Boy Scouts and lifeguards will be demonstrating water safety skills. Meet up at the Pierson St bridge (between w. 3rd St. And W. 6th St.).Contact: Alistair Bleifuss at 543-3845 or ableifuss@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us.

Sunday, September 18th will be a 10-mile hike to explore the headwaters of Santa Rosa Creek. Hike through Hood Mountain Regional Park and Sugarloaf State Park, peruse the steelhead trout spawning grounds in the upper creek areas, dip your feet in the creek, and enjoy your picnic lunch under the largest coast live oak in Sonoma County – the “Grandmother Oak” tree. Hike goes from 9:10am – 4pm. For location, please register at http://www.landpaths.org, email outings@LandPaths.org, or call 524-9318.

Monday, September 19th will be an exciting Downtown Underground exploration of the culverts and fish ladders below downtown Santa Rosa. Flashlights and sturdy shoes will be required for this interesting look at our city from underneath, and is not recommended for kids under age 10. But be prepared to get a brand new perspective of our town and its waterway. Meet at Gateway Park at Santa Rosa Ave and Sonoma Ave at 6pm, and hike till 7:30pm.Contact: Jill Scott at 543-4246 or jscott@srcity.org.

More exciting than the Tour de France, the Tour de Santa Rosa Creek will be underway on Tuesday, September 20th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Families and individuals are welcome to join in on the 12-mile round-trip bike ride on the flat and paved path alongside the creek trail between Olive Park Footbridge (1698 Hazel St) and Willowside Road. Contact: Sean McNeil at 543-4225 or smcneil@srcity.org.

Finish the week with a clean up of Sierra Park Creek on Bennett Valley Clean Up Day. Saturday, September 24th, volunteers will meet up at Strawberry School (2311 Horseshoe Dr) at 9am and join neighbors, scouts, and Strawberry School in caring for this creek area until 11am. Contact: Alistair Bleifuss at 543-3845 or ableifuss@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us.

More exciting events throughout the week:

“Turtle Talk” with Dr. Nick Geist on Sunday, September 18th from 3-4pm.
“Santa Rosa Creek Family Insect Exploration” on Sunday, September 18th, 4-5-ish pm.
“Santa Rosa Creek Trail Walk” for ages 8 and up on Wednesday, September 21st from 5:30-7:30pm.
“Are there fish in Santa Rosa Creek?” on Thursday, September 22nd, 5:30-7:30pm.

For a full listing of all the fun events and activities going on throughout the week, visit srcity.org/creekweek.