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Board approves $1.35 million Measure A grant to help buy Canal boat yard for neighborhood park and bridge connection
Summary
The board approved a $1,350,000 Measure A grant to help the City of San Rafael and the Trust for Public Land buy a 1.65-acre boat-yard site in the Canal neighborhood for a future park and a possible pedestrian bridge to San Rafael High School; the grant is part of a $3.355 million purchase plan with matching funds.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a Measure A grant of $1,350,000 to the City of San Rafael to support acquisition of a 1.65-acre former boat yard on Canal Street, a property community advocates have identified as suitable for a neighborhood park and for a future pedestrian bridge connecting the Canal neighborhood to San Rafael High School and downtown.
Marin County Parks staff described the site and the project's goals, including creating safe crossings, improving park access in the Canal (one of Marin's most underserved neighborhoods) and restoring creek-side open space. The Trust for Public Land is under contract to acquire the property from the seller and planned to convey it to the city; the city has pledged $500,000 toward the purchase.
Craig Richardson, senior planner with Marin County Parks, said the total purchase price is $3,355,000 and the city, Trust for Public Land and Canal Alliance were pursuing philanthropic and regional funds to fill the gap. Richardson noted an earlier Metropolitan Transportation Commission grant of about $1.6 million for a feasibility study and preliminary design for a possible bridge crossing.
Erica Williams of the Trust for Public Land urged the board to approve the Measure A allocation, saying the county contribution would catalyze private philanthropic support and help close a short fundraising window. San Rafael District 1 Councilmember Micah Gulati spoke in support, citing improved mobility, safer school access and an evacuation route for the Canal neighborhood.
Supervisor Rodoni moved the Measure A grant and Supervisor Milton Peters seconded; the motion passed unanimously. County staff said that if the city acquires the parcel they will work with the city on interim management and long-term stewardship discussions.
The Measure A funding stream used for the award is the reauthorized Measure A (2022), which expanded the county's ability to fund land acquisition and park access projects, Marin County Parks staff said.
