Kotate Park
Rate this placeNearby: Burton Mini Park Helen Putnam Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
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Summary
Kotate Park is a public park located in the city of Santa Rosa, California. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a wide range of activities and attractions.
One of the main reasons to visit Kotate Park is its beautiful natural scenery. The park is situated on a hill, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also enjoy strolling through the park's lush gardens, which are filled with a variety of native California plants and trees.
Another popular attraction at Kotate Park is the Japanese Tea Garden. This tranquil oasis features a traditional tea house, a koi pond, and a variety of Japanese-inspired landscaping and architecture.
For those seeking more active pursuits, Kotate Park offers a range of recreational opportunities. The park has several tennis courts, basketball courts, and a large playground for children. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the park's hills and valleys.
Interesting facts about Kotate Park include the fact that it was originally developed in the 1930s as part of the Works Progress Administration. The park has also been used as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, including the popular drama series "Parenthood."
The best time of year to visit Kotate Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the park's gardens are in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers something to see and do no matter what time of year you visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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