Petaluma Trestle Promenade Now!

Picture of the Trestle on the Petaluma Riverfront with many people standing on the boat docks holding up single letters spelling This Place Matters. The Great Petaluma Mill is in the background and boats are in the foreground. Photo by Scott Hess.

Join Us in Revitalizing Petaluma’s Riverfront

Be part of the movement to transform the deteriorating and unsafe trestle into a stunning Trestle Promenade that enhances our community and environment. Together, we can advocate for a safer, more beautiful riverfront for all Petaluma residents.

Join Our Coalition →

Role of Petaluma Trestle Promenade Now

Black and white picture of the Trestle as seen from above looking towards Western Ave and the Balshaw bridge, with many people strolling along the Trestle back when that was possible. There is a sailboat in the river.

The “Petaluma Trestle Promenade Now” Steering Committee will provide the sustained civic leadership required for our community and city to collaboratively dream, define, and complete the Project. Its volunteer members will serve as project advocates, stewards, resource gatherers, and community liaisons. Mayor Kevin McDonnell will co-chair.

Our Vision

Petaluma will create a beautiful and iconic riverfront promenade that invites everyone to enjoy our downtown river district.

Let’s pull together to realize the vision and get the project done!

Picture taken in olden times with train on trestle and barge up against trestle loaded with bags of feed. Mc Near Feed Company in background.

Our Mission

The mission of Petaluma Trestle Promenade Now is to realize the Vision.

Our guiding value is to benefit our entire community. We will steer the action and investment required to renovate the trestle and create a public promenade. This asset will stimulate a revitalized riverfront and turning basin district that boost civic pride and our local economy.

Let’s DO SOMETHING NOW!

Trestle Promenade Benefits All

Community Benefits

The project will provide a beautiful, wide promenade where people can gather and stroll as they connect with nature and the river, attend special events, enjoy outdoor dining, and access our river-area amenities and attractions. It will:

Wide drawing of the turning basin with the trestle midway in the picture and the Petaluma buildings in the background, including the Great Petaluma Mill and the Masonic building with the clock tower.

Spur private investment that elevates our downtown riverfront district.
Encourage people to walk, visit, shop and recreate in our downtown.
Stimulate investment that delivers measurable economic returns.
Bring in tourism dollars and other revenue streams that fund city services.
Honor and preserve the authentic sense of place that connects Petaluma’s river history to its present.
Remove blight and turn a deteriorating liability into an asset.
Create an urban oasis with multiple benefits.
Address climate and environmental issues related to our tidal slough.
Foster understanding of Petaluma’s river and rail history.

The Trestle Promenade Project meets all of the City of Petaluma’s Five Main Goals

Picture of Petaluma Trestle and Balshaw Bridge on Turning Basin.

A City that Works for Everyone

Arial picture of the turning basin with the trestle on the left and Taps on the right with Balshaw Bridge at the back. Picture spans up into the Petaluma hills.

An Environmental Legacy We Can be Proud Of

Deteriorating trestle in foreground with green chain link fence separating the trestle from the wharf walkway. Bicyclist on the wharf walkway. In the background is the Great Petaluma Mill.

A Safe Community that Thrives

Picture of Kentucky Street shops in front of the Lanmart building on a sunny day.

An Economy that Prospers

Picture of the last fun River Fest event held on the trestle with people almost shoulder to shoulder enjoying the event.

Spaces and Places that Inspire

Thank you to Scott Hess and the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum for photographs, and Alan Butler for the sketch.