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Corte Madera staff seek feedback on Town Park Plaza furniture upgrades, ADA review to follow
Summary
The Corte Madera Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 29 reviewed proposed furnishing upgrades for Town Park Plaza that would relocate six donor concrete tables to the plaza perimeter, refinish them, and add movable seating and a community table; staff said the project cost is estimated at about $28,000–$32,000 and that an ADA layout review and final site plan will precede any council action.
The Corte Madera Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 29 reviewed proposed furnishing upgrades for Town Park Plaza that would relocate six donor concrete tables to the plaza perimeter, refinish them, and add new movable bistro tables, dining chairs, a long community table and a bench to increase seating capacity. Staff said the total project cost is estimated at roughly $28,000 to $32,000 and would be funded from the 2025–26 capital projects budget and the town’s sales tax fund, with no additional Community Foundation funding requested at this time.
The town’s staff presentation said Ross Painting proposed a $7,200 on-site refinishing using a polyaspartic sealant for the existing concrete donor tables and that Tara Outdoor Living provided a representative quote of about $22,537 for the new movable furniture, including a live-edge teak community table. Staff described a plan to relocate two of the concrete tables near the bike rack and to place new furniture under the existing shade structure. The plaza would be closed for approximately five days for refinishing and installation work if the project proceeds.
Why this matters: Town Park Plaza sits adjacent to Cafe Verde and the community center and is town-controlled parkland. Commissioners and several emailed residents raised concerns about usability, visibility and accessibility — including whether moving the concrete tables to the perimeter could reduce shade for families with small children, make parts of the plaza feel private to restaurant patrons, or obstruct travel paths for people using wheelchairs or people with limited vision.
Staff flagged two steps before any purchase or relocation: an ADA clearance review led by the town’s ADA-certified staff and a detailed site plan with dimensions for both the existing and proposed furnishings. Staff said that additional site evaluation is needed; because of that they expect to present a final site plan for potential town council consideration at the council’s second October meeting currently planned for Oct. 21.
Public input: The commission heard three emailed comments read into the record by staff. David McPherson (email) urged the town to remeasure proposed table locations using tabletop diameters and to confirm accessible paths before moving the concrete tables; Meredith Iliopoulos suggested the plaza feels disconnected from Town Park and recommended adding a paved walkway to improve access; and Ashley Grama said she frequently uses the shaded round tables with her children and questioned whether moving the round tables out of the shade is the best layout for families.
Commissioner and staff discussion: Commissioners and staff discussed theft and storage (staff reported no history of theft for Cafe Verde’s current movable furniture and said Cafe Verde staff had offered to help lock furniture at night if the town wished, but staff also noted the town could take a "wait-and-see" approach). Commissioners emphasized the need to make clear the plaza is public space (several commissioners reported informal polls of parents who often assumed the plaza belonged to the restaurant), to preserve shade for families with small children, and to ensure any relocation would maintain required ADA clearance and safe sightlines away from the adjacent parking lot.
Staff said design decisions under consideration include whether two tables should be placed near the bike rack, whether a ramp or other permanent surface changes would be required to meet ADA circulation standards, and whether to preserve bike parking in the proposed layout. Staff also noted teak surfaces will gray over time and can be restored every three to four years if desired, and that chairs under consideration are stackable and can be locked overnight.
Next steps and cost: Staff said the project will proceed only after a detailed dimensions-based site plan, ADA assessment and final furniture selection. Staff estimated the project could cost about $28,000–$32,000 and would be proposed from the 2025–26 capital projects budget and sales tax fund; no Community Foundation funding is being requested at this time. Because staff said further site evaluation is required, the presentation to the town council is likely to be scheduled for the council meeting currently planned for Oct. 21.
Commissioners asked staff to (1) incorporate the specific community feedback heard tonight into the staff report, (2) confirm ADA clearances using tabletop diameters and final furniture dimensions, (3) consider improved signage or a walkway to clarify the plaza’s public status, and (4) return with a detailed site plan and final cost estimate before council consideration.
