Rohnert Park

History

Originally home of the Coast Miwok native people, the Mexican government granted Rancho Cotate to Captain Juan Castaneda 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." In 1849, Dr. Thomas S. Page, of Cotati, bought Rancho Cotate. Over time, the property was broken up and sold off piecemeal to incoming settlers. The Graton Resort & Casino opened on November 5, 2013.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Rohnert Park has a total area of , 99.93% of it land and 0.07% of it water. K Section is also referred to as the "University District" and is the residential development of the city's University Specific Plan Area; W Section is also referred to as "Willowglen" and is the residential development of the city's Southeast Specific Plan Area. 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. 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 willow (Salix spp.) and alder (Alnus spp.) trees. Sudden oak death fungus risks are present in the Rohnert Park area. Research is ongoing at the nearby Fairfield Osborn Preserve. The Rodgers Creek Fault is an active fault influencing earthquake activity in the Rohnert Park area. The city also experiences earthquakes from the San Andreas Fault.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• California Towhee

  Melozone crissalis (Vigors, 1839) · Aves
  24,888
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  24,819
• House Finch

  Haemorhous mexicanus (P.L.Statius Müller, 1776) · Aves
  24,332
• Turkey Vulture

  Cathartes aura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  22,658
• Anna's Hummingbird

  Calypte anna (R.Lesson, 1829) · Aves
  22,578
• California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

  Aphelocoma californica (Vigors, 1839) · Aves
  21,185
• Oak Titmouse

  Baeolophus inornatus (Gambel, 1845) · Aves
  19,882
• Black Phoebe

  Sayornis nigricans (Swainson, 1827) · Aves
  18,264

Largest nearby schools

• Casa Grande High
  High · Petaluma · 1,710 students · 22.5:1 ratio
• Santa Rosa High
  High · Santa Rosa · 1,682 students · 19.1:1 ratio
• Rancho Cotate High
  High · Rohnert Park · 1,611 students · 21.8:1 ratio
• Maria Carrillo High
  High · Santa Rosa · 1,591 students · 23.4:1 ratio
• Montgomery High
  High · Santa Rosa · 1,572 students · 20.4:1 ratio
• Analy High
  High · Sebastopol · 1,466 students · 19.3:1 ratio
• Piner High
  High · Santa Rosa · 1,361 students · 20.3:1 ratio
• Roseland Charter
  Other · Santa Rosa · 1,293 students · 20.2:1 ratio