Fitch Mountain Trails, Villa Dog Park to Reopen in May

We have an end in sight, at last, for the renovation project that has kept the Fitch Mountain trails closed since last summer. The city is planning a big reopening party for the trail system and dog park next to the Villa Chanticleer on Saturday, May 4 — and our state senator, Mike “Energizer Bunny” McGuire, reportedly plans to attend. So you know it’ll be lit. “Please join the City of Healdsburg and California Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire in celebrating the completion of the Fitch Mountain Public Access Improvement Project and the Villa Dog Park renovation,” the city invite says. “Celebration will include an opening ceremony, guided hikes of Fitch Mountain Park and Open Space Preserve, kids activities, live music, and a tail waggin’ good time! More details coming soon!” While the dog park was closed, the city opened a temporary one at Badger Park — so that will close this May as the original one reopens, city officials say. The Villa dog park makeover included “ADA upgrades, new walkways and shade structure, replacing the dog water stations, and installing site amenities like benches and picnic tables,” according to the city. It was the final leg of a larger effort to upgrade trails and other public spaces on Fitch Mountain — a project that saw months of delays, thanks to difficult weather and “non-native soils” reportedly found near the trailhead. So there’s a lot to celebrate this May. (Source: Healdsburg Community Services via Facebook & City of Healdsburg)