Plans to overhaul Maxwell Farms Regional Park inching forward

An overhaul of one of Sonoma Valley’s most popular parks is inching forward again, with new soccer and baseball fields at the heart of current plans.

Debate has long swirled over the future of Maxwell Farms Regional Park, an 85-acre facility at the juncture of Highway 12 and the northern gateway to the city of Sonoma.

Following a series of community meetings, county park officials have homed in on a $6.3 million draft plan for Maxwell Farms that emphasizes expanding its use for youth soccer and baseball.

The first phase of the work would include a new soccer field with artificial turf, a baseball field, restrooms and concession stands, expanded parking and improved access for vehicles and pedestrians.

But funding for the project remains a long-term goal. Planners have secured $1.1 million, and on Tuesday will go before the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors seeking authorization to pursue an additional $705,000 in grant money.

That’s still well shy of the $3.3 million projected cost for the first phase of work.

The draft master plan for the project is scheduled to go before supervisors this spring, more than a year behind schedule.

Supervisor Susan Gorin, whose district includes Maxwell Farms, credited the community for being “patient” with county planners.

But she said people are seeking “faith” that promised renovations and expansions for the park will come through.

The popular park has been beset in recent years with a number of vexing problems, including gang violence, public drinking and people sleeping out by the creek that runs through the park.

Gorin cited a number of reasons for delays in the park’s renovations, including a focus on getting Andy’s Unity Park built in Roseland.

Construction of that park, which honors Andy Lopez, a 13-year-old who was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy, is scheduled to start in the spring.

Gorin said The Springs area of Sonoma Valley, where Maxwell Farms is situated, has an “equally disadvantaged community” as Roseland.

Now that the Roseland park is breaking ground, Maxwell Farms “should be getting more attention,” Gorin said.

The Springs area encompasses Agua Caliente, Boyes Hot Springs, El Verano and Fetters Hot Springs. The grant money sought for Maxwell Farms is from the same source that provided nearly $500,000 in funding for Andy’s Unity Park.

The county has also applied for $1 million for Maxwell Farms from the California Youth Soccer and Recreation Development Program.

The draft master plan for Maxwell Farms Regional Park combines elements of three versions presented to the community during planning sessions, said Scott Wilkinson, who oversees the project for Sonoma County Regional Parks.

Wilkinson said planners may consider doing some of the work piecemeal, rather than wait for the entire amount of funding for the first phase of the project to come through.

Regardless, he said none of the work is expected to begin this year.

“We’re not to that point yet,” Wilkinson said.

“We’re trying to secure funding and simultaneously get the master plan and CEQA (environmental review) documents finalized.”