We were thrilled to hear the news on April 22nd that the Wildlife Conservation Board approved funding for the San Geronimo Conservation Easement and Flow Enhancement project for the San Geronimo Commons!
Marin Open Space Trust will acquire a conservation easement of 135 acres of the former San Geronimo Golf Course property, and permanent dedication of the 20 acre-feet per year instream flow to Larsen Creek to support special-status salmonids that will permanently prevent removal of those flows in Larsen and San Geronimo creeks.
This funding protects the San Geronimo and Larsen meadows (formerly known as the front and back nine). The land use will be restricted to open space and passive recreation in perpetuity, preventing conversion or subdivision that could diminish or impair the natural resource values, and enable comprehensive restoration. The property will provide publicly accessible natural open space to support compatible community and recreational uses and allow for adaption of the existing network of golf course paths into a public multi-use trail system with connection to surrounding open space areas, like Roy's Redwoods.
Trust for Public Land E-Newsletter Comments:
Marin Open Space Trust is committed to protecting Marin County’s remaining open space lands which have significant habitat, aesthetic, and linkage values for the benefit of current and future residents. The Trust for Public Land works with local partners across the country to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.
Protection of the land as natural open space has emerged as a central goal of the community-based vision for the Commons, developed through an expansive engagement process in 2019 and 2020. The resulting vision framework reflects the community’s strong support for preserving these parcels for restoration, conservation, and conservation-compatible public access and recreation.
Protection of the land as natural open space has emerged as a central goal of the community-based vision for the Commons, developed through an expansive engagement process in 2019 and 2020. The resulting vision framework reflects the community’s strong support for preserving these parcels for restoration, conservation, and conservation-compatible public access and recreation.
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL FOR A NEW FIRE STATION AT THE SAN GERONIMO COMMONS 22-ACRE CLUBHOUSE PARCEL:
Marin County Fire has been utilizing the old clubhouse building as a Department Operations Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the August and September 2020, the clubhouse parcel was used as a basecamp during the Woodward Fire in Point Reyes National Seashore.
The clubhouse has helped to provide essential services for the community during the pandemic including hosting the weekly food pantry, community blood drives, and COVID-19 and vaccination pop-ups.
The County of Marin has recently expressed new interest in acquiring the clubhouse parcel for a new fire station. The community visioning framework identified several community goals for the clubhouse parcel, including a new fire station, trails, trailheads, parking, and community and recreational uses. The County met in a publicly noticed closed session on May 4, 2021 to discuss future conversations with the Trust for Public Land about a potential purchase.
We are grateful for the all of the dedicated community organizers, individuals, and organizations who worked tirelessly to support this effort to protect this important habitat!
April 22, 2021 Wildlife Conservation Board, Staff Report Images
