Hundreds of Sonoma Springs residents turned out Sunday to mark the return of a neighborhood anchor: Larson Park, transformed by a $4 million, year-long renovation that added the only public pickleball courts in Sonoma Valley.
Key Takeaways
- Sonoma County Regional Parks hosted the official Community Day on April 19 at Larson Park, 329 DeChene Ave. in the unincorporated Sonoma Springs area.
- The $4 million renovation, completed over roughly a year, added accessible restrooms, age-appropriate playgrounds, a renovated parking lot, baseball and soccer fields, three tennis courts, and four pickleball courts.
- The four pickleball courts are the only publicly accessible courts in Sonoma Valley.
- The park first reopened to the public on Feb. 13, 2026; Sunday’s event was the official dedication ceremony.
- Community organizations including La Luz Center and Sonoma Valley Teens Program staffed resource tables offering clothing, groceries, and supplies.
A neighborhood long overlooked
The celebration drew food vendors, youth activities, and representatives from county programs, reflecting what officials described as a deliberate investment in an area that has historically received less attention than incorporated cities nearby. District 1 Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, who represents the unincorporated Sonoma Springs area, called the park’s renewal a statement of intent. “This is a testament to helping a neighborhood often overlooked,” Hermosillo said at the dedication, according to the Sonoma Index-Tribune.
Former Supervisor Susan Gorin, who championed the project during her tenure, thanked residents for their patience during the closure. “It has been a long-time coming,” Gorin told the crowd. Regional Parks Director Bert Whitaker framed the park in broader terms: “This park belongs to all of us. It’s vital to community well-being.”
The investment reflects ongoing conversations at the county level about where public dollars flow. As Sonoma County navigates difficult budget decisions, including potential Medi-Cal cuts that could affect tens of thousands of residents, park infrastructure like Larson represents the kind of foundational community resource advocates say cannot be allowed to erode.
Pickleball fills a gap in the valley
Among the most buzzed-about additions are the four outdoor pickleball courts — the first publicly accessible courts in the Sonoma Valley. The sport has grown rapidly across age groups in California, and residents in the valley have previously had to travel outside the area to find open public courts. The courts are available free of charge, consistent with Sonoma County Regional Parks’ commitment to equitable access. Combined with the renovated tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, and newly installed age-specific playgrounds, the park is positioned as a multi-generational destination for the surrounding community.
La Luz Center, a Sonoma Valley nonprofit that serves the area’s Latino community, had a prominent presence at Sunday’s celebration, reinforcing how central the park is to a neighborhood with a large Spanish-speaking population. The county’s recent commitment of $1.5 million to immigrant-serving services has been welcomed by organizations like La Luz that operate in communities like Sonoma Springs. Sunday’s event drew on that same spirit — a park built for everyone, regardless of background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Larson Park, and who runs it?
Larson Park is located at 329 DeChene Ave. in the Sonoma Springs area, an unincorporated part of Sonoma County near the city of Sonoma. It is managed by Sonoma County Regional Parks, not the city of Sonoma. The surrounding neighborhood falls under the jurisdiction of District 1 Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo.
Are the new pickleball courts open to the public, and is there a fee?
Yes — the four pickleball courts are open to the public at no charge, consistent with Sonoma County Regional Parks’ general access policies. They are currently the only public pickleball courts in Sonoma Valley, making them a significant addition for residents who play or want to learn the sport.
How much did the renovation cost, and what was replaced or added?
The renovation cost approximately $4 million and took about a year to complete, with the park reopening to regular visitors on Feb. 13, 2026. Improvements include accessible restrooms, a renovated parking lot, age-specific playgrounds, picnic areas, baseball and soccer fields, three tennis courts, and four pickleball courts.
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