Howarth Park (officially Howarth Memorial Park) is a 152-acre municipal park and outdoor recreation center at 630 Summerfield Road in eastern Santa Rosa, California. Established in 1951 through a bequest from philanthropist Leonard Howarth in memory of his father, Eli Howarth, the park is widely recognized as the crown jewel of the Santa Rosa park system. Centered around the 26-acre Lake Ralphine reservoir and directly bordering Spring Lake Regional Park and Trione-Annadel State Park, it combines lakeside walking paths, wooded oak-and-redwood trails, athletic courts, and the classic K-Land children’s amusement zone.
What to Expect at Howarth Park
Entering from Summerfield Road, visitors encounter shaded picnic groves, a softball diamond, and tennis and pickleball courts before reaching the lower basin where the children’s attractions sit. The K-Land amusement zone is the focal point for families with young children. Operated seasonally by the City of Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks Department, K-Land features a miniature replica C.P. Huntington steam train that loops through the trees, a painted vintage carousel, an interactive animal barn with goats, pigs, and chickens, and weekend pony rides. Just past the amusement rides stands the Land of Imagination Playground, a multi-zone play complex complete with climbing walls, suspension bridges, and a prehistoric fossil-digging sand area.
Above the playground and train depot, a short incline leads to Lake Ralphine, a calm 26-acre reservoir originally created in the late 19th century to supply water to Santa Rosa. Today, the lake is stocked with rainbow trout, bass, and catfish, and only non-motorized watercraft are permitted on its surface. From the seasonal boathouse on the western shore, visitors can rent pedal boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and small sailboats. A flat, paved 0.8-mile loop trail encircles Lake Ralphine, attracting walkers, joggers, and wheelchair users, while dirt singletrack trails climb east into the hills to link directly with Spring Lake Regional Park and the 5,500-acre Trione-Annadel State Park trail network.
- Lake Ralphine & Boathouse: A 26-acre non-motorized reservoir surrounded by a flat paved walking path, offering seasonal rentals for pedal boats, kayaks, and paddleboards alongside shoreline trout and bass fishing.
- K-Land Miniature Train & Carousel: A nostalgic children’s amusement area where visitors ride a scale C.P. Huntington train through a wooded track and spin on a traditional painted horse carousel for a modest ticket fee.
- Animal Barn & Pony Rides: A seasonal farmyard enclosure where kids can meet and pet goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens, paired with guided weekend pony rides.
- Land of Imagination Playground: An expansive, themed play area separated into toddler and school-age zones, featuring climbing boulders, slides, swings, and shaded seating for parents.
- Tennis, Pickleball & Trail Connections: Multiple lighted public courts, a softball field, reservable group barbecue sites, and direct trailhead connections into Spring Lake and Trione-Annadel State Park.
Howarth Park at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 630 Summerfield Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 |
| Neighborhood / Area | East Santa Rosa / Montgomery Village Border |
| Operating Hours | Park grounds & trails: Daily sunrise to sunset; K-Land attractions & Boathouse: Saturday–Sunday 11:00 AM–5:00 PM (expanded Tuesday–Sunday hours in summer) |
| Admission / Price Range | Free park entry and parking ($); Ride and attraction tickets start at $2–$5 per ride |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Santa Rosa CityBus Route 8 (Summerfield Rd); free on-site surface parking lots |
| Official Website & Phone | srcity.org/1271/Howarth-Park | +1 707-543-3425 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
To avoid weekend congestion in the main parking lots along Summerfield Road, arrive before 10:30 AM on Saturdays and Sundays, especially between May and August when K-Land rides, pony rides, and the Lake Ralphine boathouse are in full swing. Parking and general park admission are free year-round, unlike neighboring county and state parks that charge day-use vehicle fees. Santa Rosa CityBus Route 8 stops along Summerfield Road right outside the main park entrance. If you are planning a birthday gathering or large picnic, reserve one of the designated group barbecue areas in advance through the city parks portal.
Howarth Park is well suited for strollers and wheelchairs: accessible parking stalls sit close to the lower playground, train depot, and upper lakeside path, and the paved perimeter trail around Lake Ralphine has gentle grades and accessible public restrooms. Dogs on leashes no longer than six feet are welcome on the paved lakeside loop and outer trails, though pets are not allowed inside the K-Land amusement area, animal barn, or playgrounds. After spending the morning at the park, head five minutes west to Montgomery Village, an open-air shopping and dining center at Sonoma Avenue and Farmers Lane featuring local cafes, bakeries, and casual lunch spots, or continue along the connecting trails into 320-acre Spring Lake Regional Park for swimming lagoon access and oak woodland hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours for Howarth Park and its rides?
The park grounds, hiking trails, playgrounds, and Lake Ralphine walking loop are open daily year-round from sunrise to sunset. The K-Land amusement rides, animal barn, and boathouse operate on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the spring and fall seasons, and expand to Tuesday through Sunday schedules during the summer school break, weather permitting.
How much does it cost to visit Howarth Park?
Entering Howarth Park, parking in the surface lots, using the Land of Imagination Playground, and walking around Lake Ralphine are completely free. Individual tickets for the miniature train, carousel, and animal barn cost just a few dollars per ride, while pony rides and non-motorized boat rentals are priced separately at the ticket booth and boathouse.
How much time should you budget for a visit?
Plan to spend 1.5 to 3 hours if visiting with children to ride the train and carousel, explore the playground, and rent a pedal boat on Lake Ralphine. Walkers and runners who only want to complete the paved loop around the lake typically need 30 to 45 minutes, while hikers linking into Spring Lake or Trione-Annadel State Park can easily spend half a day on the trails.
Is Howarth Park wheelchair and stroller accessible?
Yes, the lower amusement area, picnic pavilions, restrooms, and the 0.8-mile paved path circling Lake Ralphine are step-free and smooth for both wheelchairs and strollers. Dedicated accessible parking spaces are located in both the lower lot near the playground and the upper lot near the boathouse.
When planning your Santa Rosa travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Santa Rosa, pair this stop with standout local spots including Russian River Brewing Company, Stark's Steak & Seafood, Vintners Resort, and Flamingo Resort & Spa (1.7 km away).
