Tucked away on the westernmost edge of Fairfield near Green Valley and across the street from the Rockville Hills Park, lies the soon to be purchased Rockville Trails, a Bay Area gem of open space, natural habitat and wonderful views. This 1,500 acre site located between Rockville and Suisun Valley Roads in Fairfield was once slated to have yet more mega estate homes, new roads and congestion, hardly needed in Green Valley. Instead, the fundraising efforts are nearing completion on an epic rescue. Led by the Solano Land Trust with assistance from a consortium of non-profit agencies, government entities, local businesses and individual donors—today Rockville Trails is closer than ever to becoming an open space park and preserve that will benefit the entire region in perpetuity. The Rockville Trails fundraising effort has been happening for some time, but the process is expected to wrap up this summer.
The total purchase price for the area is $13.5 million, with an additional $2 million for ongoing maintenance. Of the $15.5 million total, $13.5 million has already been raised. The largest contributors to date have been: the California State Coastal Conservancy, Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, Resources Legacy Fund, Syar Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Board, the City of Fairfield Community Facilities District and Solano County Mello-Roos, along with smaller foundations and private donations. The Solano Land Trust Board is confident the remaining funds needed can be raised through further donations and naming opportunities. For instance, the Syar Foundation, a local (Fairfield/Vacaville) philanthropy, has donated $75,000 to “name” the future park’s parking and staging areas. One local business came up with a creative way to help the cause. Wooden Valley Winery, located close to Rockville Trails has unveiled an exclusive limited edition wine, the 2009 Rockville Trails Cabernet Sauvignon, with 50% of the wine’s proceeds going directly to the to Rockville Trails fundraising efforts.
Rich in flora and fauna, covered by ancient oak trees and rocky outcroppings, Rockville Trails occupies the southern border of the Blueridge Berryessa Natural Area (BRBNA). When completed and ready for public use, this area this will include six miles of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and superb new hiking, biking and equestrian trails. The Solano Land Trust staff is working on a management plan for the future park. This large, open space park and preserve will benefit all residents of Solano County, as well as those throughout the Bay Area seeking a bucolic local retreat that complements our hectic, urban lives.
