Petaluma Brown Fields Project

The City of Petaluma Economic Development and Redevelopment Department has recently been awarded two grants from the U.S. EPA for environmental assessments of Brownfields properties within the City where the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The Petaluma Brownfields project provides an exciting opportunity to “jump start” additional redevelopment in Petaluma’s core areas.

ECON, a Petaluma based consulting firm, is the project manager for the Petaluma Brownfields assessment opportunity. Learn more about ECON at http://www.econ-inc.net/

Click on the link below to learn more about Brownfields and the Petaluma Brownfields project.

http://petalumabrownfields.org/

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/05grants/petaluma.htm

http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/cities/petaluma.htm

For more information about upcoming Brownfields meetings, contact the Healthy Community Consortium 778-4951.

Petaluma Green Lane

Petaluma Green Lane Mission and Charter
Mission: to promote, enable and support walking and bicycling
around Petaluma.

Promote…

Advocate on behalf of pedestrian and bicycling interests before local government agencies and school boards.
Publicize ped-bike activities, including bike to work and safe routes to school.
Educate the community about the benefits of non-motorized travel: health, financial, ecological, and social.

Enable…

Assist in the creation of ped-bike facilities, including paths, trails, signs, benches, and fountains, by organizing fund-raising and volunteers.

Support…

Provide volunteers for patrol and maintenance of the City’s ped-bike trails, lanes, and routes.
Organize and administer bicycle and pedestrian safety programs
Develop and maintain a map of the City’s pedestrian and bicycle paths and routes.
Promote/enable/support the connections between walking / cycling and rowing / paddling in the Petaluma River.

Green Lane Maps
Petaluma Green Lane has produced two versions of their Petaluma
Pedestrian and Bicycle Routes map. You can buy a high quality large print at your local bike shop for $2.

Petaluma Green Lane Trailside Map Kiosk Project
This was one of PGL’s first projects. The Map kiosks containing the PGL
trail map and destination distance guides, to go along Petaluma’s
growing network of multi-use paths (over 20 potential locations have
been identified.)

The kiosks are built by Petaluma High School woodshop students from long-lived sustainable Trex wood (recycled plastic and sawdust). Funding for materials will be donated by businesses, individuals (roughly $250 per unit.) Units will bear a plaque identifying the sponsor. In time, we hope to include artwork, poetry, and writing from local school children on the opposite side of the kiosks from the map.

Contact Petaluma Green Lane
If you would like to support this project by making a tax-deductible
donation of cash or materials, if you would like to get on the Petaluma
Green Lane email list, or if you have any questions, please contact
Bruce Hagen at bhagen@sonic.net.

The South County Senior Forum

The South County Senior Forum
A place to learn, give, and make a difference

The South County Senior Forum was formed in 2003 to promote collaboration about services, advocacy, and support for the elders of our community. The work of the forum has focused on transportation, housing, and services that support independence.

People can apply for Para Transit services at the Petaluma Senior Center 707- 778-4399 or Petaluma People Services Center (PPSC) 707-765-8488 and get help to complete the application.

People can learn how to use the Petaluma Transit system by getting involved with bus trips offered through the Petaluma Senior Center .

Seniors can use the Independence Guide, an individualized laminated poster with names, phone numbers, and emergency information that goes on your refrigerator.
Seniors who face a rent increase that might jeopardize staying in their own home can apply for a “Bridge the Gap” grant to cover their rent shortfall by contacting PPSC at 707-765-8488.
How the Senior Forum Works

Project teams are focused on one of the three areas for this year.

1. Transportation
2. Housing
3. Services in Support of Independence

People will also have an opportunity to sign up to write an article for the Senior Life Page or to do research about resources that support making this a great place to grow older. Anyone in the community is welcome to join or drop in at the Senior Forum.

What members say about the Senior Forum

“What is unique about the Senior Forum is that we really get work done when we meet. We don’t just meet and talk like so many groups. Although some of us represent organizations, there is no hierarchy. In a way, we are all community volunteers,” Kira Reginato, Lifeline, Petaluma Health Care District.

“I feel so welcomed and accepted! I was looking for a way to transition from my years in the work force into retirement. I have not been a volunteer before but participating in the Forum has shown me how easy it is to contribute to the community.” Kay Basque, community volunteer.

“Because my job with HICAP requires that I am on the road, giving presentations all over the county, I can not attend many meetings but I am connected here and people know they can count on me. If you need me you can call me and tell me what you need. I am part of this community,” Julie Bennett , Senior Advocacy Services, HICAP Program.

“I don’t attend Forum meetings. But I get the notes and read the articles in the Argus Courier. That is the right level of participation for me. I want to know what is happening and who to go to if I have something to contribute or something I need,” Doralyn, retired, 50 year Petaluma resident.