Health & Fitness
Mayor's Weekly (June 16 – June 22)
Novato's Mayor Eric Lucan shares city news, events and meetings on the horizon, and on occasion a few spontaneous thoughts.
On my Mind
Prior to getting involved in government, I often heard that I should prepare for the speed at which projects move. While some projects do seem to take an inordinate amount of time, many actually move fairly quickly when considering the scale of a project, level of resources available, and the number of impacted parties. The Grand Opening of the Bay Trail at Hamilton is a great example of a project which was many years in the making, but also an incredible accomplishment.
Back in 1999, Novato received a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy to address the relocation of the trail as a result of the wetlands restoration projects at Hamilton. In 2002, the council adopted the Hamilton Public Access Plan which showed the new trail on top of the City’s levee. However, with feedback from the Hamilton neighbors, a new location was identified that put the trail at a lower elevation just outside the levee. Back in 2008, shortly after I had joined the Recreation, Cultural, and Community Services Commission, we recommended that the council provide easements for the lower elevation so the path could be constructed. Now, 6 years later, it is time for the Grand Opening.
It is always exciting to see a project of this magnitude come to fruition. I have only been involved for the past 6 years, but many other individuals have given their time for even longer. Also, a special thank you goes to the residents who live along Todd Road. While the impact of all the work trucks driving near their homes during construction was often an inconvenience, hopefully the combined benefit of the wetland restoration and now the Bay Trail will leave those memories in the dust.
I have walked out on the new trail a couple of times now, but am looking forward to the official Grand Opening this Thursday at 4PM. Hope you can join as well. The MC for the event is TV journalist and Marin local, Doug McConnell who will lead a guided walk of the new Bay Trail segment. Details are below under “The Week Ahead”
Around Town
North Marin Breakfast Club – Thanks to the club members for inviting to me speak this past Friday morning. Always a pleasure to have breakfast with the group, share what’s going on, but also to just listen and learn.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday (June 24):
City Council Meeting – 6:30PM (City Hall)
Thursday (June 26):
Bay Trail at Hamilton Field Opening Celebration – 4:00PM (Parking Lot Area at 5 Hamilton Landing)
For more info, please visit:
http://www.cityofnovato.org/Index.aspx?page=637&recordid=1705
