Corte Madera commission begins narrowing Facilities Master Plan for 2026 work plan

The Corte Madera Parks and Recreation Commission opened its Oct. 27 meeting by directing staff to develop a prioritized list of park projects from the Facilities Master Plan for elevation to the town's 2026 work plan.

Staff reviewed projects completed in 2025 and a long candidate list for 2026, including Cove Park picnic and path work, the East Field renovation (now in design), the Town Park playground replacement (design work tied to a grant), Menke Park landscape improvements, a Town Park knoll and tree-planting proposal, and accessibility repairs at the Community Center. Tim, a town staff member leading the presentation, said the wheelchair lift to the community center has failed and a bid is out to replace it; staff also said the building's fire-alarm support system needs replacement to meet code.

Commissioners emphasized setting a practical scope that both matches the town's public-works bandwidth and produces visible results for residents. Tim told the commission that Finance Director Chris Petlock had identified roughly $300,000 to $400,000 that might be directed toward capital projects, but commissioners repeatedly asked staff to return in December with firm cost estimates and Public Works capacity information before recommendations go to the council.

The commission also discussed how to prioritize projects. Members proposed documenting shared values as a filter for choices'for example: increasing outdoor activity, building community, improving accessibility and safety, balancing east and west side needs, and serving multiple age cohorts. Commissioners said staff should score potential projects against those priorities and the results of the town's community survey before the commission's December meeting.

Staff outlined the schedule: tonight's discussion to identify possible projects; a Dec. 10 commission meeting to finalize the list to send to the council's strategic-planning workshop (typically held in January); and a staff report back to the commission in February 2026 on what the council has elevated to the work plan. Tim said the East Field renovation design is expected to go out to bid in November with construction targeted for January'February 2026; commissioners asked that at least one commissioner sit on a stakeholder meeting for that field work.

The commission approved the Sept. 29 meeting minutes by roll-call vote before beginning the master-plan discussion.