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San Rafael council accepts draft Terralinda Park and Community Center enhancement plan after months of outreach
Summary
Council accepted a draft enhancement plan for Terralinda Park and the community center, endorsing a preferred two-story concept that includes expanded playgrounds, a flexible indoor/outdoor plaza and an optional second‑floor library pending funding. The plan followed outreach with roughly 900 participants and will move to cost estimates and phasing.
The San Rafael City Council voted 5-0 March 17 to accept the draft Terralinda Park and Community Center enhancement plan, concluding a year-long outreach and design process led by Gates & Associates and Group 4 Architecture.
Library and recreation director Catherine Kufa introduced the project and Melanie Reynolds of Gates & Associates presented outreach findings, noting approximately 900 participants in round-one and round-two engagement. "Play, shade and the indoor-outdoor relationship of a building are what we hear from everyone," Reynolds said when summarizing community priorities.
Consultants presented three design concepts and said Concept C
(the two-story option) was the overall community preference. The preferred draft includes an ~11,500-square-foot two-story community center, a central plaza with an adjacent half basketball court, an expanded shaded playground, a reservable picnic area under trees, an indoor/outdoor arts yard and flexible community rooms; architects described a 3,000-square-foot divisible community room with catering support and dedicated fine-arts/ceramics space.
Council discussion focused on funding and phasing. Staff said cost estimates, funding sources (Measure A, development impact fees and other options) and a phasing plan will be developed in the next design steps. Council and residents raised questions about lawn water use (reclaimed water exists on site), rental fees, parking, inclusive-play design and whether the library should be a required second floor or an optional element depending on budget.
Councilmember Kurtz moved to accept the draft report; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Staff will return with refined cost estimates, a funding strategy and further public engagement on phasing and program details.
