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Commission discusses multiple options for public paddleboard/kayak launches; forms subcommittee to explore sites and partnerships
Summary
Commissioners discussed several candidate launch points and legal and parking constraints at their Sept. 30 meeting and directed staff and a standing subcommittee to continue exploring coordinated, multi-option strategies for public paddleboard and kayak access.
The Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission discussed options on Sept. 30 for increasing public paddleboard and kayak launch access around the Tiburon Peninsula and reviewed regulatory, ownership and parking barriers.
Commissioners and staff said there is not one obvious, uncontested public launch site. Candidates discussed included the Harbor Cove Way launch near Strawberry Elementary (staff noted an existing seasonal dock), the Main Street/Bridal area (which would require coordination with the City of Belvedere and private-property owners), Blackie’s Pasture and nearby shoreline points, and Paradise Park (a county park). Commissioners and members of the public also noted informal existing launch spots that local users currently employ.
Staff and commissioners flagged four recurring issues: (1) ownership and jurisdiction (town vs. Belvedere vs. private property vs. county); (2) parking and neighborhood impacts if a launch attracts nonresident driving and on-street parking; (3) shoreline and environmental permitting, including Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) requirements for shoreline work; and (4) safety concerns (mudflats at low tide in some Richardson Bay locations) that can strand inexperienced users.
Commissioners described a range of possible approaches: pursue an arrangement with private clubs (for example, discounted access or limited launch agreements with the Corinthian Yacht Club or other private entities), pursue coordinated action with the City of Belvedere for Main Street/Bridal access if Belvedere will cooperate, or invest in a town-owned launch at a location that staff and the design consultants could study as part of park or shoreline projects. Several commissioners said the town should ask the consultants working on the Richardson Bay site to evaluate possible launch access points that could be folded into the parks work.
Public commenters urged the commission to pursue multiple options and to consider education and signage about tides and safe launching; one frequent user suggested signage or apps to warn users about mudflat risks. A public commenter also urged the commission to involve the town attorney early to confirm title and permit conditions before relying on presumed private or public access.
Staff said the town will explore multiple paths — coordinated agreements with Belvedere, discussions with private property owners, and inquiry into permitting and design costs — and that the commission’s paddleboard subcommittee will continue to meet and report back with options and recommended next steps.
No formal motion to award a launch project was taken at the meeting.
