Article published in the Napa Register on 7/20/26 by Barry Eberling
Napa County’s Open Space District still blazing trails after 20 years
BOTHE-NAPA VALLEY STATE PARK — “I think I can, I think I can, I know I can …”
The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District has made this its unofficial motto during its 20-year history. It bills itself as a version of “The Little Engine That Could.”
That’s “little” as in little money. In 2006, voters passed Measure I to form the district without a new tax to fund its ambitions.
Napa County filled the void by providing a share of its lodging tax, which remains the backbone of the district’s operational budget. Over two decades, the annual amount has increased from $350,000 to about $1.2 million.
Using grants to bolster the county contribution, the district has achieved milestones it can point to on its two-decade anniversary.
“I think I can” – open Moore Creek Park near Lake Hennessey, with frequently expanding trail mileage.
“I think I can” – acquire The Cove and Amy’s Grove properties on redwood-studded Mount Veeder, with plans to someday turn them into parks.
“I think I can” – open Suscol Headwaters Park in the south county hills, with views of wetlands and the Carneros region.
“I think I can” – run 1,900-acre Bothe-Napa Valley State Park in the Mayacamas Mountains north of St. Helena to save it from California’s park closure list.
That’s a sampling. The district says it has protected more than 6,000 acres and created or operated more than 217 miles of trails.