Marin County Parks

MORE FUN PLANNED FOR THE PARKS Picture a bouldering course and swimming lagoon at Stafford Lake Park. A new pool with a water play area and splash pads at McNears Beach Park. Kayaking facilities at Paradise Beach Park. A new playground at McInnis Park. The landscape architecture team is doing just that for Marin County's four regional parks. The Master Plans for McNears Beach, Paradise Beach, and Stafford Lake parks are likely to be finalized this spring 2016. The McInnis Park Master Plan Update was completed in 2009 and, thanks to Measure A, the Phase I design process has begun. Phase I includes the realignment of the main drive and improvements to the sports fields. A PLACE TO SHRED Phase I of the Stafford Lake Bike Park in Novato opened in August 2015 amidst much fanfare. The key features of the Phase I bike park include a progression jump course, dual slalom track, perimeter trail, and volunteer-built kids-learn-to-ride area and beginner pump track. Marin County Parks received vital assistance from the Friends of Stafford Lake Bike Park, a nonprofit formed to support both construction and long-term maintenance of the bike park. Phase I of the bike park project received $732,000 in donations and sponsorships in the form of more than 200 contributions, from large corporations to local kids. Fundraising continues for Phase II of the bike park. Want to donate? Visit the Friends of Stafford Lake Bike Park website at staffordlakebikepark.com. THE MORE THE MERRIER More public land is being protected. In August 2015, after years of collaboration Marin County Parks closed escrow on Sky Ranch near Fairfax and San Anselmo. Partially funded by Measure A, this 16.2-acre acquisition of residentially zoned land has become part of the Bald Hill Open Space Preserve, which connects to more than 100,000 acres of additional public lands. The Newsroom MARIN COUNTY PARKS EXPLORE YOUR PARKS | SPRING 2016 | PAGE 3 Only two natural populations of the endangered Tiburon jewelflower exist, and one of them is at Old St. Hilary's Preserve. Do your part to protect rare plants by sticking to official trails. Zumba in McInnis Park Bald Hill grows to 46 acres Streptanthus glandulosus ssp. niger Catching some air PHOTO © KEN VIALE #OnlyInMarin COMING SOON: IMPROVED ROADS AND TRAILS Marin County has acquired its 16,000 acres of open space over the past 40 years. These 34 preserves have 250 miles of roads and trails, most of which were already in operation when the lands were acquired. They often take the most direct route and few were built with slope stability, erosion potential, rare plants, recreation, or safety in mind. A new Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) was finalized in 2014 and implementation is underway. The goals of the RTMP are to establish and maintain a sustainable system of roads and trails that meet design standards while reducing the environmental impact of roads and trails on sensitive resources, and improving both the visitor experience and visitor safety for all users. The RTMP divides the system of 34 preserves into six regions to organize public outreach efforts. RTMP implementation is underway for both Region 1 in the southeast and Region 2 in the west. The System Designation Workshop for Region 3 in the middle of the county is anticipated sometime in late spring 2016. Stay tuned. Find out more about plans and projects by visiting marincountyparks.org. Public workshop and meeting details are available on the online events calendar, Facebook, Twitter, and by subscribing to our enewsletter. While Measure A is providing the resources to plan for the future of Marin County Parks and provide for a variety of backlogged and necessary projects, there is still a need for additional capital funding to develop the new regional park improvements and major shoreline restoration. Trail view

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