New trail, parking and more at Helen Putnam

Helen Putnam Regional Park’s many fans have more to celebrate with the opening of a new entrance and trail on the north side of this Petaluma park. On Windsor Drive, a much-anticipated 31-space parking lot leads to the new West Wind Trail, which connects visitors conveniently to the park interior (see below for more on the new trail).
 
The lot and trail are the latest of several improvements to this 40-year-old park, made possible by community donations. On the park’s southern slope, Panorama Trail has been reconfigured into two improved routes: one a meandering traverse of the hillside, the other a 121-step staircase, both leading to the same fabulous view. As this video shows, improvements also include new trail signs, equestrian parking, native plants and more throughout Helen Putnam’s 256 acres.