San Geronimo Property Acquisition Under Consideration

SAN RAFAEL, CA - From Marin County Parks, Recreation and Preservation: Marin County Parks is preparing a proposal for the Marin County Board of Supervisors that would allow the County to acquire a 157-acre property in West Marin. Marin County Parks’ goal is to restore the property’s extensive natural habitat into a greenbelt linking San Geronimo Valley’s rural villages.

The Board of Supervisors will address the possible land purchase at two upcoming meetings. On October 10, Parks Director Max Korten will ask the Supervisors to circulate a “notice of intent,” which formalizes the County’s interest in purchasing the land. The notice must be circulated before the Board can review a sale agreement at a public hearing scheduled for October 31.

On September 24, The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit, signed an agreement to purchase the San Geronimo Golf Course, with the intent of selling the property to the County. If sold to a private buyer, the property, which includes critical salmon habitat, could be developed into a resort or for other commercial recreational uses.

If the Supervisors approve the sales agreement October 31, Marin County Parks and TPL would work together to raise funds from the state and other nonprofit sources to support the County's purchase for $8.85 million. The County estimates $2.5 million of the purchase price would come from Parks’ Measure A funds and $1.41 million from the County’s general fund. The balance would come from the joint fundraising effort.

If the purchase is completed, County staff would engage the community in a collaborative discussion about restoration, preservation, and other compatible uses over the long term.

Parks has published more information about the San Geronimo property acquisition on its website.

The October 10 item is expected to be heard shortly after the Board convenes its meeting at 9:30 a.m. If the proposal moves forward that day, the October 31 session is expected to be a morning session as well. The Board chamber is in Suite 330 of the Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. All sessions of the Board of Supervisors may be watched live on Comcast Channel 27 or on the County’s webcast.

Image via Marin County Parks & Recreation