Educational Wetlands Project

The Project
Environmental Artist Patricia Johanson is part of the design team for Petaluma's new Wastewater Treatment Plant. She is currently designing an educational wetland near Shollenberger Park in conjunction with the Treatment Plant where people would be able to watch birds, hike along trails, look out over the land and have a close experience inside a wetland ecosystem. A place like this will improve the "gateway" to Petaluma, benefit business, tourism, education, and the residents of Petaluma. But this will not happen unless the city owns the piece of land.

Recently, thanks to lots of public support, the city voted to create a wetlands water treatment facility and the educational park! The city purchased the land in early 2004. Continued public support for the project is still needed to follow it through to its completion.

To become involved, contact David Yearsley, the Petaluma Riverkeeper and director of the Petaluma Wetlands Park Alliance.

The Early Layout plans according to Johanson:
The Water Recycling Facility Tour and Wetlands Walk (bus access) begins at the Administration Building (formal orientation/film/roof overlook), then proceeds along the Oxidation Ponds Berm to the densely-vegetated Treatment Wetlands.

Buses exit the fenced Treatment Plant via a small bridge over Ellis Creek, driving past a Restored Riparian Coridor (native trees and shrubs chosen for wildlife food and habitat). Enhancement Wetlands (bus turnout) using fully treated recycled water are managed for wildlife habitat (freshwater pond species).

Pedestrian Paths along Berms combined with an existing Vehicular Access Road offer close-up views of various wetlands ecosystems (littoral zone, open water, habitat islands, tidal marsh, and mudflat). As the berm path approaches Ellis Creek, several Small Alternate Trails loop through the heavily-shaded riparian zone before returning to the enhancement wetlands and bus.

Driving west on the existing road a small building retrofitted as an Interpretive Center places the Treatment Plant within its larger context— the Petaluma River Watershed. Steps leading up to a parapeted roof-overlook reveal the larger landscape, including mountains and river, breached levee, mudflat meanders, feeding birds, and saltwater and brackish tidal marsh. Inside the building, windows focus on specific habitat restorations, such as Refugia for the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse.

A pedestrian Path Between Marsh and Mudflat leads to the Petaluma River Nature Trail and a Bridge over the Levee Breach. This trail reveals the intricacies of the tidal cycle: the ever-changing patterns of land and water and complex relationships between ecosystems, as well as close-up views of passing boats and river traffic.

The Levee Trail connects to Schollenberger Park, the Petaluma Marina, and Sharaton Hotel (the "gateway" to the city), offering an unparalleled opportunity for recreation and education within the context of urban infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and economic benefit.

A second pedestrian path, moving through Restored Upland Habitat, links the Water Recycling Facility to Shollenberger Park along the southern edge of the business park.

Bus tours exit along the east side of the business park, past a heavily-buffered Parking Lot (85 cars) with plantings selected as food and habitat for wildlife.

For more information about this project, call 707-765-0580

All content © Copyright 2001 Sustainable Petaluma Network.

An early drawing of Johanson's showing the Educational Wetlands project in Petaluma that would double the size of Schollenberger Park. For more information on Johanson's work, visit her website:
http://www.patriciajohanson.com/