In west Petaluma, the one-acre Cherry Valley Park is at the center of a new controversy. While many assumed the park was city property, it’s actually owned by the Petaluma City Schools district, which is now planning to build a new two-story classroom building for the adjacent Mary Collins at Cherry Valley School.
According to the Petaluma Argus-Courier, while the school community is enthusiastic about the new facility, some residents say they were left out of the planning process and are concerned about the loss of their green space.
The district says it held community meetings, but some neighbors claim they were never notified. The City of Petaluma, which has long maintained the park, is now exploring a formal agreement to ensure continued public access.
Construction is set to begin in early 2026.