Rohnert Park, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Rohnert Park
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
settlement_type = City
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption =


flag_size =
image_

seal_size =
image_shield =
shield_size =
image_blank_emblem = RohnertParkLogoEd2662.jpg
blank_emblem_type = Logo
blank_emblem_size = 155x119px

---

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in Sonoma County and the state of California


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
image_dot_

dot_mapsize =
dot_map_caption =
dot_x =
dot_y =
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =
pushpin_mapsize =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = California
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Sonoma
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_footnotes =
government_type = Council-manager
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Vicki Vidak-Martinez
leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
leader_name1 = Jake Mackenzie
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
leader_title4 =
leader_name4 =
established_title =
established_date =
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 = Incorporated
established_date3 = August 28, 1962cite web|url=http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc|title=Dates of incorporation|accessdate=2008-07-11]
area_magnitude =
unit_pref =
area_footnotes = GR|2
area_total_km2 = 16.7
area_land_km2 = 16.7
area_water_km2 = 0
area_total_sq_mi = 6.43
area_land_sq_mi = 6.43
area_water_sq_mi = 0
area_water_percent = 0
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_blank1_title =
area_blank1_km2 =
area_blank1_sq_mi =
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes = GR|2
population_note =
population_total = 42236
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi = 6564.5
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
population_density_urban_km2 =
population_density_urban_sq_mi =
population_blank1_title =
population_blank1 =
population_density_blank1_km2 =
population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 38 |latm = 20 |lats = 50 |latNS = N
longd = 122 |longm = 41 |longs = 43 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes = [gnis|1656263|Rohnert Park]
elevation_m = 32
elevation_ft = 105
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 94926-94928
area_code = 707
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-62546
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1656263
website = http://www.ci.rohnert-park.ca.us/
footnotes =

Rohnert Park is a city in Sonoma County, California, United States, located approximately convert|50|mi|km|-1 north of San Francisco. The estimated 2006 population was 41,083. [cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&_cityTown=Rohnert+Park+city&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=population_0|title=Rohnert Park city, California|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2007-12-06] It is an early planned city modeled directly after Levittown, New York and Levittown, Pennsylvania. Rohnert Park is the sister city of Hashimoto in Japan.

Geography

Rohnert Park is located at coor dms|38|20|50|N|122|41|43|W|city (38.347174, -122.695378)GR|1. According to the United States Census Bureau, it has a total area of 6.43 square miles (16.7 km²).

Hydrology

According to the Census Bureau, the city is entirely land. In actuality, there is a small reservoir called Roberts Lake at the north end of the city and a number of creeks. Important creeks include the Laguna de Santa Rosa (which forms part of the border with the City of Cotati), Copeland Creek, Hinebaugh Creek, Crane Creek and Five Creek.

All creeks within the city limits have been channelized. Spivock Creek, Coleman Creek, Wilfred Channel, and Labath Channel are artificial channels designed to convey runoff.

Geology

The Rodgers Creek Fault is an active Fault (geology) influencing earthquake activity in the Rohnert Park area. [ [http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/rupture/?id=20010706-0807 USGS, Seismicity in the Rohnert Park, California vicinity] ] The city also experiences earthquakes from the San Andreas Fault.

Biology

Riparian communities within the city are limited by channelization of creekbeds. Vegetation alongside the City's streams primarily consists of grass and sedge species. The Laguna de Santa Rosa contains bands of thick native riparian vegetation, including various willow ("Salix" spp.) and alder ("Alnus" spp.) trees. [Earth Metrics, "Environmental Impact Report for the City of Rohnert Park General Plan", C Michael Hogan, Marc Papineau, Ballard George et al., published by the city of Rohnert Park, California and the State of California Environmental Clearinghouse, Sacramento, Ca., Report Number 10351, March 9, 1990]

Sudden oak death fungus risks are present in the Rohnert Park area. Research is ongoing at the nearby Fairfield Osborn Preserve. [ [http://www.sonoma.edu/pubs/release/2000/053A.html Sonoma State University research study on Sudden Oak Death Fungus at Fairfield Osborn Preserve (2000)] ]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 42,236 people, 15,503 households, and 9,797 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,564.5 people per square mile (2,534.6/km²). There were 15,808 housing units at an average density of 2,457/sq mi (949/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.28% White, 1.97% African American, 0.78% Native American, 5.58% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 5.72% from other races, and 5.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.57% of the population.

There were 15,503 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 14.8% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $51,942, and the median income for a family was $61,420. Males had a median income of $41,757 versus $31,149 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,035. About 3.2% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those over age 64.

Politics

In the state legislature Rohnert Park is located in the 3rd Senate District, represented by Democrat Carole Migden, and in the 6th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman. Federally, Rohnert Park is located in California's 6th congressional district.

History

Originally home of the Coast Miwok native people [Access Genealogy] , the Mexican government granted "Rancho Cotate" to Captain Juan Castenada in July 1844 for his military services in the region. The grant encompassed present-day Penngrove, Cotati and Rohnert Park. "Cotate Rancho is a part of the Vallejo Township which is the plain between Sonoma Mountain and Petaluma Creek San Pablo Bay, and an east and west line dividing the tract from Santa Rosa Township." DeClercq, 1977.] Harris, 1980.]

"Rancho Cotate" was sold in 1849 to Dr. Thomas S. Page, of Cotati, and eventually broken up and sold off piecemeal to incoming settlers. The town of Rohnert Park was named after the Rohnert family who owned the "Rohnert Seed Farm". In 1929, a successful businessman, Waldo Emerson Rohnert, (born 1869 - died 1933), a native of Detroit, Michigan, purchased a large ranch here and minimized flooding in the fields with a crude drainage system but died shortly after. His son, Fred Rohnert, a graduate of Stanford Law School took over the ranch and developed a seed growing business, the "Rohnert Seed Farm", which turned into a major horticultural success for the county.

In the year 1956, only four adult residents lived within the district boundaries, but in 1957 with the 101 Freeway newly completed at the Cotati bypass, Rohnert Park began to be built and laid out as a planned city. In a summer election of 1962, Rohnert Park was incorporated, comprising convert|1325|acre|ha, housing an estimated 2,775 persons, the first town in Sonoma County to incorporate since 1905. The historic neighboring town of Cotati, California voted to incorporate the following year.

Education

The Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District serves the city, which is also home to Sonoma State University.

High schools

Rancho Cotate High School is the main comprehensive high school for both Rohnert Park and Cotati. Technology High School is a small public high school located on the Sonoma State University campus.

Alternative education consists of:
* Community Day School
* El Camino High School
* Phoenix High School, and
* Independent study.

External links

* [http://www.rpcity.org City of Rohnert Park]
* [http://www.crpusd.org/ Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District]
* [http://www.sonoma.edu/ Sonoma State University]
* [http://www.pressdemocrat.com/ The Press Democrat Online: News for Rohnert Park and the Surrounding Sonoma Region]
* [http://thecommunityvoice.com/ The Community Voice: Rohnert Park, Cotati and Penngrove]
* [http://thefriendlycity.blogspot.com/ The Friendly City: A blog about life in Rohnert Park, CA.]

Notable natives and residents

*Brande RoderickRohnert Park was the home of Brande Nicole Roderick (born June 13, 1974), who is an American model and actress. She is perhaps best known for her appearances in Baywatch and Playboy.

ee also

*Film locations in Sonoma County, California

Notes

References

* [http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/california/miwokindianhist.htm "Access Genealogy: Indian Tribal records, Miwok Indian Tribe.] Retrieved on 2006-08-06. A list of all verified Coastal Miwok villages in the area.
* [http://library.sonoma.edu/regional/subject/rohnert.html DeClercq, John H. "A History of Rohnert Park "from seed to city" ", 1977.] Retrieved on 2006-08-06.
* Harris, Ellen. "Penngrove: A Jigsaw Puzzle of its Past and Present." Penngrove, CA: n.p. [Private Publication] , 1980.

Geographic Location
Centre = Rohnert Park
North = Santa Rosa
Northeast = Taylor Mountain
East = Sonoma Mountain
Southeast = Penngrove
South = Cotati
Southwest = Two Rock
West = Bloomfield
Northwest = Sebastopol