There is a buzz about the urban creeks in Santa Rosa. Since 1989, when a small group of citizens organized to restore Santa Rosa Creek, the City of Santa Rosa, California, has revolutionized its relationship to creeks.

In the 1960s, the creeks were channelized for flood control, which destroyed valuable habitat. In addition, development turned its back on the creek. The result was a ditch devoid of vegetation and wildlife. The area was filled with graffiti and litter and became a place for the homeless and drug users where no one felt safe. Steelhead trout and chinook salmon were listed by the federal government as threatened species of fish.

The residents, the city, and the county changed all that. In the late 1980s, a grassroots group of citizens involved the whole community in visioning workshops. They received major community support resulting in a plan adopted by both the City of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County.

Ever since then, the city has been restoring its creeks. Starting with an unanticipated $3 million bequest from the Prince family, the city has found $23 million for creek restoration, largely from a county open space district as well as state and federal funds.

Today, a major section of the creek in downtown Santa Rosa has been excavated and rebuilt as the Prince Memorial Greenway. Otter have been seen, and steelhead and chinook have begun to appear in greater numbers. A major hotel and parks have been built next to the creek. New bike paths link downtown to a nature preserve six miles away, and soon the bike path will be linked to another 15-mile bikeway.

One major benefit has been public art, including numerous artistically designed benches, sculptures, and murals that have appeared each year. Most of the art has been designed and constructed by young artists, aged 14-19, as part of a major effort to include the dreams and visions of the city's youth.

Visitors to the Santa Rosa Creek enjoy the beautifully vibrant and richly colored park benches that capture the artistry and creativity of youthful artists. This year the group plans to paint more murals and install mosaic art as a vital part of the Civic Artwalk that meanders through the Prince Memorial Greenway.

Young people also participate in the city's creek stewardship program, which organizes nature walks and creek cleanups. Schools have begun using the creek as a laboratory for hands-on environmental and conservation studies. Other community events continue to spring up around the creek, as the spirit of renewal sparks citizens of all ages in the city. Santa Rosa Creek has become a model of urban creek restoration that has united the community.

Contact Steve Rabinowitsh, Councilmember, City of Santa Rosa, at 707-535-0407 or e-mail srabinowitsh[at]ci.santa-rosa.ca.us.