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Council reviews pedestrian-trail alternative and floating easement for Sorge Park; cemetery easement remains key next step
Summary
Staff showed a draft pedestrian-only trail alignment and proposed 20-foot "floating" easement to allow alignment flexibility; county open-space partners are ready to proceed on a nearby multimodal project and the town is seeking cemetery permission for a triangular easement area. Staff estimated about $50,000 in initial costs, combining volunteer labor and contractor cleanup.
Council received an informational update on a proposed pedestrian-only trail alternative for Sorge Park and a request to pursue easements, including a floating easement that would allow the town flexibility to adjust the alignment within a 20-foot corridor.
Staff described three options: option A (surveyed pedestrian trail in orange on the map), option B (connector to the cemetery fire road) and option C (a larger triangular floating easement across the cemetery parcel that would allow future alignment adjustments). County Open Space has indicated readiness to implement a multimodal trail conversion nearby this spring or summer and has offered the town a right-of-entry for approximately a 100-foot section to allow construction coordination.
Staff noted prior fuel-break and tree-thinning work conducted by Marin wildfire partners that reduced upfront clearing cost and argued the draft trail could be completed largely with a combination of volunteers and modest contractor assistance. The staff report included a $50,000 order-of-magnitude estimate that combines volunteer labor with contractor cleanup and trail finishing. Staff also cautioned that CEQA review and final easement documents remain to be completed once the cemetery owner agrees to an easement.
Public commenters and volunteers praised the trail concept as increasing pedestrian access but urged better public engagement, protection of preserved shrubs and trees and designing the route to reduce steep stairs and improve accessibility for older residents and families. Staff said they are close to obtaining cemetery agreement and, if granted, would proceed with detailed design and limited construction in coordination with county partners.
Council direction: Council supported continued negotiations on easement language and alignment refinements with an emphasis on accessibility and tree protection, and staff will return with final easement drafts and estimated implementation steps.
