FROM GOLF COURSE TO COMMONS: SAN GERONIMO’S RESTORATION JOURNEY
Background
The transformation of the former San Geronimo Golf Course into a vibrant public resource—now known as San Geronimo Commons—is well underway. What was once an 18-hole golf course is evolving into a multi-benefit landscape that supports ecological restoration, community access, and public safety infrastructure.
Originally built in the mid-1960s as part of a larger suburban development vision that never materialized, the golf course struggled financially for decades. By 2017, it was placed on the market. In 2018, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) stepped in to purchase the 157-acre property for approximately $8.8 million, initiating what many described as a “reverse-development” process—an effort to return the land to a more natural state while inviting the public into its future.
TPL led a broad and inclusive community visioning process, which culminated in a “Vision Framework” prioritizing creek restoration, public trails, and space for a new Marin County Fire Department headquarters. This effort involved dozens of community meetings and partnerships with conservation and restoration organizations, including the North Coast Coho Project, SPAWN, Marin Open Space Trust, and the Wildlife Conservation Board.
Restoration efforts have focused heavily on improving the health of San Geronimo and Larsen Creeks, which flow through the property. Both creeks were historically manipulated by golf course infrastructure—pipes, culverts, and ponds that disrupted natural hydrology. Restoration crews have worked to reestablish floodplains, remove invasive species, and construct side channels to support habitat for endangered Coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout. The San Geronimo Creek is particularly significant, as it supports roughly 40% of the spawning activity in the entire Lagunitas Creek watershed.
In spring 2024, the project reached a major milestone: Marin County completed the official acquisition of the property from TPL for $4.5 million. The transfer received unanimous approval from the Board of Supervisors and the property is now under public stewardship.
Implementation of NEW MARN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS is UNDErway
As part of the agreement to purchase the San Geronimo property, the County completed a review process pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that explored potential future uses of the property. The environmental review confirmed that relocating the County fire department headquarters to the property would be compatible with restoration goals.
The County Fire Department is planning to construct a station, training facility and administrative offices on the existing clubhouse parcel. The rest of the Commons will be shaped through continued ecological restoration and public engagement.
The future fire station, though still in the planning stage, is considered a critical investment in regional wildfire preparedness. Marin County Fire has been headquartered in Woodacre for the past century, but its outdated facilities and inaccessible location make it difficult to launch quick responses. The new facility is intended to improve response capacity across West Marin while being designed with environmental sensitivity in mind.
As this project progresses, the County and its partners continue to welcome community input and participation. Under the current planning timeline, it is expected that the new headquarters will be completed by 2028.
More information can be found here:
Marin County Ramps Up Work to Build Fire Headquarters, Marin IJ, Jan. 8, 2025
BLOG UPDATES
Former Golf Course Conservation Easement and Water Rights Secured!
Trust for Public Land Announces Plan for Future of Property
Limited Public Access Granted During Dispute
Golf Advocates Introduce Ballot Measure to Restrict Private Property Use
County Rescinds Purchase of Golf Course Property
We Support the Creation of a Public Preserve and Open Space that will have a Wide Range of Ecological and Community Benefits
EAC strongly supports the conservation and restoration of the former golf course property and its transition into a public preserve and open space that has a wide range of ecological and community benefits. Creation of public lands and support for maximum acquisition of public lands by federal, state, and county parks is a foundational element of EAC.
ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS
The conversion of the property to a public preserve and open space that restores and conserves habitat creates several ecological benefits for the upper watershed of Lagunitas Creek and Tomales Bay watershed that will improve endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout habitats and water quality; minimize and/or eliminate the use of fertilizers and pesticides; save water; protect migratory birds, threatened status species like the Northern Spotted Owl, and other native plants and animals; and result in additional tree plantings.
Restoration of creek and floodplain habitats will capture sediments, particles, and pollutants that will result in improved downstream water quality, thus improving habitat. Restoration to the riparian corridor by planting native species will improve the health and populations of migratory and nesting birds, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, and other native wildlife. These efforts will also result in the long-term sequestration of carbon.
public access
The creation of a public park within the heart of the San Geronimo Valley provides several new opportunities for community use and public safety. The property can be used for several community public access benefits like bicycling, walking, dog walking, picnicking, birdwatching, photography, and exploration.
The property is uniquely positioned and borders the San Geronimo Valley Community Center, middle school, and elementary schools. Utilizing the existing pathways on the property for pedestrian and bicycle traffic will remove children from the high traffic, small shoulder of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. In addition, the Community Center, middle school, and elementary schools could utilize the network of pathways for safe access for increased educational opportunities to access Roy’s Redwoods Marin County Open Space Preserve and other areas of San Geronimo Valley for activities including field trips and exercise.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR A PARK
More than 20 local organizations including environmental and community groups have supported the conversion of the property to a public preserve and open space.
public comments and support
August 2018 Letter to Board of Supervisors
October 2019 Letter to Board of Supervisors
Page last updated: June 23, 2025
