Residents of Boyes Hot Springs can look forward to enjoying revamped spaces for play, picnics, and sports soon as Sonoma County Regional Parks gears up to break ground on extensive renovations at Larson Park. The project, which officially begins next Monday, involves a $4 million makeover that will update and add new amenities to the 7.6-acre neighborhood park, turning it into a more inclusive and better-equipped hub for community activities.
As reported, the overhaul will touch practically every park corner, from the existing tennis and pickleball courts to the sports fields, play areas, and picnic sites. A new permanent bathroom and drinking fountains will be installed, along with improvements to a parking lot and playground equipment that will include a specialty play area designed for toddlers. Community feedback played a pivotal role in shaping this revamp, as expressed by Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, who highlighted the years of advocacy leading up to this development. "Former Supervisor Susan Gorin was a true champion for these improvements and was instrumental in making this a reality. Thanks to her leadership and the strong support and feedback from the community, we’re now able to bring much needed new life to Larson Park and create a space that truly reflects the needs and spirit of the Springs," Hermosillo told Sonoma County Regional Parks.
Funding sources for the construction are diverse and substantial, coming from a mixture of local and state coffers. The county’s District 1 Community Infrastructure Funds are kicking in $2 million, California State Parks are donating $1 million, and the local Parks for All – Measure M sales tax funds are contributing $565,000. Additional funds come from donations to the Sonoma County Parks Foundation, the Saba Foundation, and local park mitigation fees. "We’re excited to finally break ground on this long-envisioned project," Bert Whitaker, Director of Sonoma County Regional Parks, explained. The project's support comes courtesy of the Board of Supervisors, local sales tax funds, state grants, and the Parks Foundation, bringing to fruition a large-scale renovation to bolster Larson Park's status as a significant local recreation area, as per the Sonoma County Regional Parks.
