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Corte Madera weighs Mankey Park accessibility redesign; Community Foundation pledges $150,000
Summary
Staff asked council whether to proceed with detailed design for Mankey Park improvements to add ADA access and more usable lawn seating. The Corte Madera Community Foundation pledged $150,000 toward the project; staff estimates construction around $350,000 and remaining design work about $54,000.
Town staff asked the council Tuesday for direction to proceed with detailed design for Mankey Park Accessibility Improvements, a project that would add ADA access to the upper lawn, regrade sections for more usable seating, refresh landscaping and create defined seating opportunities.
The consulting team BKF with landscape designer WRT prepared early concepts, and staff recommended proceeding to complete plans and specifications to be ready to bid. The council heard that the Corte Madera Community Foundation has pledged $150,000 toward construction; project proponents said the foundation will provide the funds when the design is complete.
Public comment and council discussion emphasized preserving the park’s green character while improving accessibility for seniors, people with mobility limitations and families. "The idea is to clean it up ... get new trees in there for the next generation ... to plant new trees that will not die in the next 10 years," said Peter, a representative of the Community Foundation.
Staff provided a current cost estimate of about $343,500 for construction alone and said the outstanding consultant work to reach 75–80% design would be approximately $54,000. About $25,000 has been spent to date on concept work. Councilmembers asked for a visible design review before finalizing materials and suggested additional outreach. Several councilmembers expressed support for moving to the next design stage; others asked for a field visit and asked staff to return with a detailed design at 75–80% completion for public review.
Council direction: staff should proceed with the consultant scope to complete detailed documents and return with a 75–80% design for additional council and public feedback. Staff also said it will prepare a donor agreement with the Community Foundation to document the $150,000 contribution and coordinate fundraising outreach now that the council has signaled tentative support for further design work.
No final construction award was sought at the meeting; the council’s direction allows staff to complete design and then return with project costs and a construction schedule.
