[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6102741,"mediaKeyId","2803504-40ea571dcc069fcc7dd1598a17f64c6d","parentId",2803504,"title","Commission directs staff to pursue Towne Park playground replacement, seeks community input","audioSeconds",779,"startMs",2827000,"endMs",3606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803504-40ea571dcc069fcc7dd1598a17f64c6d&start=2827&end=3606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803504-40ea571dcc069fcc7dd1598a17f64c6d/thumbnail_2827000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6102741/California/Commission-directs-staff-to-pursue-Towne-Park-playground-replacement-seeks-community-input","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102741-810eae19843ed77928948c84250d25fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158044&Signature=lSKunWmYo~RlwDpiW62G3gMqy~gRi~HT4f4jCB7PrLQobFvGvPSCgyASHF69YWV4enLrsqauYVjE-xsH6oVXg72sfnyxirhUBguS5DEtCtQhTplivM8xC2xHs0679krTAhbVJIddTGSwyAMyaeWmm1Y-Gn1-hao9bo1TJqD2voF1VKTuxNZD3giM034n5sNuPLBLsQtkVUMQiIlWJV~dAhIk5ZL8Iy7TU~Kn3Y9wtN6-GDWGgmV068M3ebGkuNJok2UpG~2Hhqya3PuCAaGUL8fpHLrY-V8B~9IEok41zqaRony53sLhb2cKu8YvLYFTPdkenIXSwsNsKEVwdmlWzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Corte Madera, California","date","2025-03-28T03:38:05.663Z","article","Town recreation staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 24 that a recent safety inspection and the age of the playground equipment at Towne Park support replacing the primary play structure for school-age children rather than continuing piecemeal repairs.

Staff said the current 5–12 structure dates from the early 2000s, was installed in phases and has reached the end of its useful life. After consulting manufacturers and public procurement, staff recommended replacing the entire structure and said an initial $50,000 set-aside in the budget would cover the basic cost of removing the old structure and installing a new primary play structure. \"For the playground alone, yes,\" staff said when asked whether $50,000 would cover replacement of the structure itself.

Commissioners discussed outreach and design. Staff described typical procurement steps: gathering feature-based input from the community (for example, slides, climbing elements, inclusive or nature-themed features), asking manufacturers to produce several renderings that match the town’s square footage, and then returning to the commission with options and cost estimates. Staff said playground manufacturers can supply full structures or sell pieces; staff recommended narrowing options by surveying residents and holding community workshops and suggested soliciting direct feedback from children as part of outreach.

The commission directed staff to form an ad hoc subcommittee to work with staff, designers and manufacturers on design options, public outreach and cost estimates. Recreation Supervisor Sydney Bliss will be a staff point of contact for the project; staff also said they will consult manufacturers and public procurement on the procurement timeline and options for surfaces (for example, resilient surfacing versus wood chips). Commissioners emphasized incorporating all-ability/inclusive elements into the design and advised the subcommittee to avoid piecemeal fixes for a structure that is at the end of its useful life.

Staff said more costly scope additions (for example, replacing surfacing across a larger area or adding separate toddler-and-school-age structures) could require additional council review and supplemental funding. The subcommittee will return to the commission with recommended designs, cost estimates and a recommended procurement path.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Corte Madera Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town recreation staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 24 that a recent safety inspection and the age of the equipment at Towne Park support replacing the primary play structure for children 5–12, and staff said about $50,000 is currently set aside to cover a basic replacement.","taxTitle","Corte Madera Town, Marin County, California","taxId",72211,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6102745,"Corte Madera parks staff outline budget, urge sinking fund for childcare buildings",1099,125000,1224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803504-40ea571dcc069fcc7dd1598a17f64c6d&start=125&end=1224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803504-40ea571dcc069fcc7dd1598a17f64c6d/thumbnail_125000.jpg","/articles/6102745/California/Corte-Madera-parks-staff-outline-budget-urge-sinking-fund-for-childcare-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102745-7e1560467faadcd14bccef7aac563461/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158044&Signature=UguYCU4Fx8xLKQES6e8BomwX0rngG4qPW-1ituUT7AHVt47K9hvuW0ZHFWhyUgoGXarl1ilU2N30yVPdokDdtgG0T3-hMx4c7sb06vcjZL26K~nQrArUzLuaGMVMUzeqNv-MCcgxufBaXjXDbBG7T5ZIQHM4frvYEe-~U3Zy-JxjJdydiE8aTpoBZgETFTHq0-dqTNt~JDxxkuPrSYVRItaAAHEFVU4as7tCVD3aDlnH3VzDH~Q5YNA71F3GjGd~d9aJJpYclcDdPTNhFDGjn7KcPAz6AVYYwnkiRmyqCdb3wXTdY1a5zm~-7EmGi6yUzxUiRAnDYVFxGW2MXOKHnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rochelle, a parks and recreation staff member, presented an overview of the Corte Madera Parks and Recreation Department budget at the commission’s March 24 meeting and recommended creating a sinking fund to cover replacement or major repairs of aging childcare buildings.

Rochelle told commissioners the department’s childcare program has grown rapidly: “They have 70 kids a day right now,” she said, and added that childcare “has already made the amount of money I thought they'd make for the whole year last month.” She said that growth and the age of the existing childcare buildings prompted the sinking-fund recommendation so the department would have money “in our back pocket” if it needs to buy or replace facilities.

The presentation said staff have moved facility rental revenue into its own account to improve tracking and accountability and that the department launched a new registration and accounting software on Jan. 2. Rochelle said the new system lets staff track scholarship usage, free-and-reduced rates and program-level revenues and expenses more precisely than before.

Rochelle told the commission that recent finance-department staffing changes delayed final staffing-cost numbers for the proposed budget, and she asked for patience while staff complete those calculations. She described other recent operational changes: contracting custodial services after a departure saved money and added scheduling flexibility; the department purchased a field-striping robot to improve field appearance; and staff have started fingerprinting and standard-contract procedures for seasonal coaches and instructors.

Commissioners pressed for more line-item detail. Rochelle said OpenGov and the new registration system can show revenue and expense totals for programs and that staff can produce a more detailed breakdown (for example, distinguishing supply cost from staffing) on request. She said she would provide program-by-program breakdowns and that staffing currently comprises a large share of most program budgets.

Rochelle flagged other items for future budgeting and planning: the challenge of staffing high-demand programs (noting it is difficult to hire staff who can cover afternoons when young children finish school), the difficulty of forecasting summer camp because it straddles fiscal years, and a suggestion to establish separate sinking funds for programs with variable revenues — childcare singled out as the immediate priority.

Commissioners and staff discussed soccer and other youth sports, with Rochelle and staff explaining that registration revenue reported in the department’s budget represents the town’s contracted percentage of a larger total collected by third-party or contract operators. Rochelle said coaches’ pay and certification levels are handled separately and make the budgeting for sports more complex.

Rochelle concluded by telling the commission she is confident the department will end the fiscal year in good shape but asked for more time to finalize staffing costs with finance.

The commission did not take a formal vote on budget policy at the meeting; staff will return with more detailed line-item information at a later date.","At the March 24 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, staff reviewed the department budget, reported a sharp rise in childcare enrollment, said a new registration system improved accounting and transparency, and recommended creating a sinking fund to pay for eventual replacement of aging childcare buildings.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6102736,"Corte Madera highlights new skatepark, pickleball courts and summer events guide",353,3631000,3984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803504-40ea571dcc069fcc7dd1598a17f64c6d&start=3631&end=3984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803504-40ea571dcc069fcc7dd1598a17f64c6d/thumbnail_3631000.jpg","/articles/6102736/California/Corte-Madera-highlights-new-skatepark-pickleball-courts-and-summer-events-guide","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102736-ab503527a66c0b8a2e0047b428998b2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158044&Signature=ZEzohQ-CjPVXsba7C5fC7h0Z7kdCgZWqFMoxHKn7l8ItlIzNhvi9EC6KHYCYdLIh1JDRju-mGDIRulghakOHPF1jHOSoK7xqXrIEdMvgAgQmpQ-4I6E8xW0ckiApzr6ol6q~f5BW6TA5yYRCGpGyEdJYWrLEUextgylkYPrf3OnNh~tpHEiW6dxh~ZRwY48YTAk5DqBy6JVir6BTR3DowtHZ-X0BaLkeIsDPGBOK2fCwNbKWxGelbnDlauCtttDhd6Hp2KqChPkueeIIM7yQL8JJzkwugTvOB8OuuswZsEDKAkXClF3QOXxqN0BwnhGlL8nDEaoJfR~Q13PY8mnX5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and recreation staff told the commission on March 24 about recent project openings and upcoming events.

Staff said the ScottAlab skatepark grand opening was well attended and praised collaboration among donors, public works and recreation staff. \"If you haven't been by, please go by,\" a staff member said, describing the site as “a beautiful part of the town park” and noting the expansion improved circulation and reduced noise concerns.

The department has launched an online reservation system for tennis and pickleball courts at Granada Park and Towne Park. Staff explained courts are released weekly (the Sunday before) and residents may reserve up to three times per week; permanent signage with a QR code will be installed to help users access the reservation system. Staff told commissioners the initial rollout went smoothly and that users have adapted to rotational play and reserved time slots.

Staff reviewed the summer activities guide. The guide lists community events including a summer concert series (scheduled to run from mid-June through late August), youth and adult classes, youth sport camps and two outdoor movies: one at Towne Park on Aug. 20 and another at The Cove on Sept. 20; staff said the earlier movie will likely start around 8:30 p.m. when evening light makes screening feasible. The guide also promotes a family campout tied to a movie night; staff said about 40 people had already signed up.

Staff described recent special events: a Bridal Ball in February with 105 attendees and plans to hold a similar fall event; and the department’s use of contracted custodial services and new equipment to improve operations. Staff also noted that the department began fingerprinting and formal contracting of seasonal instructors and coaches this year.

Rebecca (staff) told commissioners the town will hold a volunteer fair on Saturday, April 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the community center to connect residents with boards, commissions and community service organizations; staff said school-district and youth volunteer opportunities will be part of the fair and that the town will promote the event through social media, newsletters and partner outlets.

Staff also announced a Menke Park renovation and accessibility community outreach meeting scheduled the following day at 5 p.m.; the outreach meeting will collect input that staff and consultants will use to refine design options and return to the commission in a future meeting.

Consent item: the commission approved the Jan. 27 meeting minutes in a roll-call vote. Commissioner Bodeman abstained because she was not present at the Jan. 27 meeting; Commissioners Koenig, Rose, Stoller, Hitchcock, Vice Chair Charlie and Chair Miles voted to approve the minutes, and the motion carried.","Staff reported recent openings and program launches including the ScottAlab skatepark grand opening, an online reservation system for tennis/pickleball courts, a new summer activities guide with two outdoor movies and a family campout, a volunteer fair planned for April 19, and an upcoming Menke Park accessibility outreach meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission directs staff to pursue Towne Park playground replacement, seeks community input

Corte Madera parks staff outline budget, urge sinking fund for childcare buildings

Corte Madera highlights new skatepark, pickleball courts and summer events guide