Skyhawk Park and Open Space Area

UPDATE - 3/1/21

The Fawn Drive Pathway will Open for public access to Skyhawk Open Space tomorrow (3/2/21) as repairs to the pedestrian bridge are complete.

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UPDATE - 2/26/21

SKYHAWK OPEN SPACE IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The Fawn Drive pathway remains closed as repairs are made to the pedestrian bridge.

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UPDATE - 2/23/21

Today, city crews began replacing the wood pathway steps damaged during the Glass Fire located in the northern section of Skyhawk Open Space. Installation of the pathway steps is anticipated to be completed by the end of the week. Once the steps are installed, city crews will walk the area to determine if the Open Space is safe to reopen.  The pathway from Fawn Drive will remain closed until the wood decking on the pedestrian bridge can be replaced. Materials for the pedestrian bridge decking have arrived, so when work is completed on the replacement steps, crews can begin restoring the bridge. The bridge decking project will not delay the re-opening of the open space.

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UPDATE - 2/17/21

The northern section of Skyhawk Open Space remains closed to the public while city crews work to replace damaged infrastructure and mitigate potential hazards. Last week, best management practices for erosion control were installed along the sloping terrain of the Open Space area. Yesterday, city crews replaced a 20-foot length of damaged outfall pipe that diverts storm water from the slopes into the nearby creek. 

The wooden pathway steps damaged in the Glass Fire are scheduled to be replaced next week. Once the steps are replaced, city crews will walk the area to determine if the open space is safe to re-open, however the pathway from Fawn Drive will remain closed until the pedestrian bridge decking can be replaced. 

Additionally, the city storm water team is working on a contract to replace a 160-foot section of underground storm drain pipe damaged in the Open Space south of Skyhawk Park

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Skyhawk Park and Skyhawk Open Space in northeast Santa Rosa sustained extensive damage during the October 2020 Glass Fire. The northern section of Skyhawk Open Space remains closed to the public while city staff evaluate the extent of damage and mitigate potential hazards. 

The first significant rainfall of the new year revealed previously undetected burned underground High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) storm drain pipes in the Skyhawk Open Space area. During the wildfire, sections of the plastic pipes caught fire and were destroyed or melted resulting in underground voids and cavities that could cause the unstable surface to collapse and if stepped on could cause injury. The City is making plans for repairs to the destroyed storm drain pipes as well as other fire-damaged areas presenting safety concerns in the Open Space. In the meantime, snow fencing has been installed at access points to Skyhawk Open Space to further secure the area and keep the community safe. The northern section of Skyhawk Open Space does remain closed to the public until further notice.

Skyhawk Open Space also sustained damage to the pedestrian bridge wood decking. The bridge will remain closed until repairs are complete. Over 140 wooden all-weather steps were damaged and will require replacement as well as various sign poles. Felled trees have been removed and standing trees with fire-damage have been assessed to evaluate the level of damage and risk to public safety. Fire-damaged trees that presented an imminent threat have been removed.

Damage to Skyhawk Park includes burned fencing, damaged drain inlet covers, fire-damaged trees and street lights. Over 350 feet of wooden double-rail fencing and metal fencing around the park also burned. More than a dozen small trees and plants were damaged or destroyed, and the park irrigation system was burned beyond repair and will need to be replaced. 

Tree Assessment and Removal

City crews have assessed the standing fire-damaged trees within the public right-of-way and in open space areas within the City limits to evaluate their level of damage and risk to public safety and the right of way. Burned trees that presented an “imminent” risk to public safety or roadways have been removed. Right-of-way trees categorized as presenting a “moderate” risk have been left at this time. Cal-Trans and the County of Sonoma are also assessing/removing hazardous right-of-way trees located within their respective jurisdictions. 

For more information about how the City is handling tree removal, go here.

Guard Rails

Damaged guardrail sections located along Fawn Drive and Stow Circle have been removed and replaced. 

Pavement Asphalt Damage

In fire-damaged areas of Oakmont and Rincon Valley, over 1,200 feet of pavement asphalt and curb gutter sustained damage and repairs are under evaluation. 

Street Lights

Several street lights in Rincon Valley and Skyhawk neighborhoods were damaged or destroyed. Crews are assessing the extent of damage to the poles, fixtures and wiring. Wooden street light poles burned in the wildfire have been removed for safety. Once the damage assessment is complete, poles will be replaced or repaired with new wiring and fixtures as needed. Wood pole street lights will be replaced with more fire-resilient metal poles.