On Saturday, May 11, 2024, Tubbs fire survivors and the greater Mark West Area community celebrated the purchase of a property to become the unincorporated community’s new “downtown” community park.  The Mark West Area Community Fund, a non-profit 501(c3), with the assistance of Sonoma Land Trust, has purchased the property located at 4614 Old Redwood Highway in the unincorporated community in Sonoma County.   The property is the site of a former preschool that was destroyed by the Tubbs fire. Funding for the $1.8 million purchase was provided by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, and several local businesses and private citizens.   

It is the goal of the Mark West Area Community Fund to start construction on the property this year that will include a playground for youth, a gazebo to host community gatherings, picnic tables, fitness stations, open grass area to recreate on, and a walking path through a drought tolerant/butterfly garden. 

About us:

The Mark West Area Community Fund’s board of directors is comprised of local neighbors and community leaders, including Karen Fies (a Mark West Estates neighbor), Brad Sherwood and Westin Miller (both live in Larkfield Estates), Dmitri Menzel (lives in Berry Brook), Ron Calloway and Heidi Would (both live in the Wikiup area), Roni Berg (Fulton area neighbor) and Steve Plamann of the local chamber of commerce.  Many on the board lost their homes in the Tubbs fire.  The Mark West Area formed this non-profit to continue community rebuild efforts and serve as a community resource for improving community infrastructure.