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Corte Madera staff propose picnic‑area refresh and small berms at Town Park; commissioners ask for drainage and use study
Summary
Public works described a conceptual plan to replace picnic tables, add accessible paths, plant trees and create two low grassy mounds at Town Park picnic areas B and C; commissioners and residents raised concerns about drainage, tree survival and motorbike damage to mounds, and asked staff to refine the design.
Nick Cartagena, senior civil engineer for Corte Madera Public Works, presented conceptual plans on May 19 to refresh Picnic Areas B and C at Town Park, add ADA‑accessible tables and paths, plant trees and install two small grassy mounds intended as informal spectator seating.
Cartagena said the project would replace deteriorated picnic tables with recycled‑plastic benches (8‑foot tables and benches), repair or install ADA concrete access to Picnic Area C, relocate Picnic Area B slightly per the WRT conceptual plan, plant several larger trees and install two 2‑to‑3‑foot high grassy mounds. He estimated an approximate project cost of $75,000 for the mounds, picnic areas, trees and the path work.
Commissioners and members of the public questioned design details and potential impacts. Residents and a parent‑coach warned that motorbikes and e‑bikes already use the park's informal slopes and that adding mounds could invite riders to use them as play features, which has previously damaged turf. A resident also noted past tree die‑off in the area and asked staff to confirm whether the soil and drainage would support new plantings.
"If you put something there, they're going to ride over one hill, straight across the field, over another hill, into those little kids that are playing soccer," a public commenter said, urging care in the design to avoid creating an attractive shortcut for riders.
Commissioners asked staff to: check drainage and soil suitability before committing to the mounds, meet with existing small‑business vendors who use the space to ensure their activity won't be encroached upon, consider sight lines for spectator seating, and evaluate whether to add a third table if space and budget permit. Several commissioners said they favored some elevated spectator seating if drainage and safety concerns can be resolved.
Nick Cartagena said the mounds would reuse excess dirt from the prior pickleball and skate‑park projects where feasible; if the dirt is not used on site, it would be hauled off. No final design or funding appropriation was approved; commissioners asked staff to return with additional engineering analysis and design refinements that address drainage, tree selection and use conflicts so the commission can review a revised proposal.
