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Dear Neighbors,
Transit operators across Marin and Sonoma implemented service changes this week in line with the Marin-Sonoma Coordinated Transit Service Plan. Nine transit agencies aim to grow ridership and improve service through the HWY 101 corridor. The benefits are more service, better-timed connections, and a simpler network designed around how people travel, with stronger transfers and more options throughout the day. Service improvements include:
- SMART rail service has increased by 19%, expanding to 48 weekday trips and 24 weekend trips. Trains run earlier and later, closing midday gaps and improving first-and last-mile connections. SMART remains free for youth and seniors. Catch a Giants game or enjoy an evening in Petaluma by train.
- Golden Gate Transit Route 101 runs more frequently between the San Rafael Transit Center and San Francisco, with service every 30 minutes all day and every 15 minutes during weekday peak periods.
- Marin Transit has made service updates to better align with regional schedules and connections with other transit providers.
SMART continues to set record highs, with March 2026 ridership 32% higher than March 2025 at 125K riders, and is on the way to serve 1.4M riders in FY 2026. Bike ridership is on pace to carry 176K bikes in FY 2026.
Marin Transit is committed to making bus stops accessible for everyone. Marin Transit upgraded high ridership stops across Marin County, and construction is now largely complete:
- Two new bus stops serving the Marin Community Clinics Novato Campus
- The installation of new shelters at 14 Marin Transit bus stops across the county
- A new bus stop serving the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael at East Francisco Boulevard and Medway Road
Applications are open through May 8 for the County of Marin's Career Explorer Program, an eight-week paid summer internship for youth ages 15–21 who may face barriers to employment or career development. This program builds a diverse, skilled local youth workforce while expanding awareness of career opportunities in County government and the community. It helps youth connect their academic goals to public service careers and develop valuable skills through hands-on work experience.
A two-week orientation from June 15 through June 26 provides interns with a foundation for their site placements, including educational workshops on financial literacy and LinkedIn. Interns’ site placements begin on June 29 and conclude on August 7. Interns will be placed in various County departments and nonprofit organizations throughout the community. The application period closes at 11:59 PM on Friday, May 8. Questions? Email the Probation Department or call (415) 473-6599.
Additional Summer Internships: MCE Clean Energy Summer Internship; 350Marin Summer Internship
Marin County is now accepting applications for the Breathe/Respira Community Grant Program, offering up to $200,000 in Measure A funding to help community organizations connect residents to the outdoors. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to support programs that reduce barriers and create meaningful experiences in Marin’s parks and open spaces. For more than a decade, this program has helped thousands of residents access nature through wellness activities, education, and recreation. Community-based organizations are encouraged to apply by May 8. Projects should focus on serving underserved communities and expanding access to outdoor experiences. Details on eligibility criteria and the process are available here. Grant recommendations will be announced this fall following review by Marin County Parks and the Parks and Open Space Commission. Explore how Measure A is supporting Marin parks in the annual report.
PS: check out our program providing free group site access in our parks, and our Terrain Together program offering mobility devices to support outings to open space destinations across the county. For the Terrain Together program, after completing the form, our Parks Team will work directly with each person to customize an outing based on their interests and circumstances.
COMMUNITY GARDEN RESOURCES
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Marin Garden Resources
The Marin Garden Resource Hub Website and the Forum are now available. Gardeners shared the need for a dedicated space to connect, exchange ideas, and support one another. Use these resources to share extra garden supplies, ask questions, and more. These tools were developed by Sanzuma, funded by Marin County Health and Human Services, and shaped through collaboration with UC Cooperative Extension Marin, Marin Master Gardeners, and the Food, Agriculture, and Resilient Ecosystems (FARE) program.
35 nonprofit programs from across Marin were awarded a total of around $1.4M through the FARE grant program this week. These matching grants support sustainable food systems, climate-beneficial agriculture management, school and community gardens, and improvement of natural resource values on working lands.
Root and Reboot Program
Do you help run a school or community garden in Marin that could use extra hands for a project like weeding, cleanup, or fence repair? If so, please complete this short form by April 17 to tell Marin County Parks about your needs (Note: You will need to log in or create an account with Submittable.com to access the form). Selected gardens will be notified by May 1 and will be contacted to schedule help from a professional work crew. We know that school and community gardens in Marin rely heavily on volunteers, which means maintenance support can be inconsistent. Gardens also face seasonal peaks in labor needs. To help address this, the Marin County Parks' FARE Program has partnered with Conservation Corps North Bay, a local workforce development organization. Your survey responses will help us understand the scope of need and assign crews to as many gardens as possible.
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CIVIC CENTER LIBRARY - TEMPORARY CLOSURE
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The Civic Center Library will be temporarily closed from April 20 through June 10, with a planned reopening on June 11, as the branch undergoes exciting upgrades to enhance the visitor experience. Planned improvements include:
- Children’s Area Enhancements: New shelving, a more flexible layout, and vibrant, kid-friendly carpeting to support reading, learning, and play
- Updated Furniture: Comfortable, modern seating and tables throughout the library
- Teen Area Upgrades: Expanded space with new furnishings designed for teens
- Interior Refresh: Fresh paint in key areas for a brighter, updated look
- California Room Updates: Reorganization of select collections in the Anne T. Kent California Room to improve accessibility and exploration
During the closure, library services will continue to be available:
VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM UPDATE
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The Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (VMA), the largest indoor entertainment venue in Marin County, is scheduled to reopen in January 2027 following a three-and-a-half-year closure for seismic, code, and aesthetic upgrades. Early on in the closure, additional structural issues beyond seismic issues were identified, requiring critical repairs to the foundation, drainage, and sewer systems to ensure the facility can safely reopen. While renovations continue inside, the public is invited to explore commemorative fence panels installed outside the building. The panels trace the venue's history from its founding through decades of landmark performances by recording artists such as Jerry Garcia, Willie Nelson, the Doobie Brothers, and Ella Fitzgerald. Visitors can scan a QR code on the panels to access a curated playlist of music performed at the VMA over the decades.
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The County is also inviting the community to submit their VMA memories, which will be featured on this webpage and across Marin Center's social media channels in the lead-up to the reopening. When it reopens, the VMA will continue its legacy as a premier venue for performances and community events. Programming announcements for the 2027 season are forthcoming, subscribe for updates.
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Battery and Bulb Collection
Zero Waste Marin coordinates the Bulb & Battery collection program, which has locations throughout Marin to safely dispose of old batteries. Find a drop-off option near you here. Putting batteries in curbside bins can cause fires. Keep waste workers safe by disposing of batteries correctly.
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Safely Dispose of Prescription Drugs
Medicine take-back options are the safest way to dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications. There are physical locations where medications can be dropped off into a secure receptacle. Find your nearest disposal or mail-back site here.
Knowing where to find and how to administer the life-saving medication, naloxone, can reverse an opioid overdose.
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Eyeglass Recycling
The Las Gallinas Lions Club supports the Lions Recycle for Sight program by collecting eyeglass donations throughout our community. They collect the donated glasses and deliver them to the Lions in Sight warehouse in Vallejo. Help support this wonderful program by donating your used or unwanted eyeglasses at any donation box location.
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Denim Day - Denim Drive at Civic Center
National Denim Day is Wednesday, April 29. That day, the District Attorney’s (DA) Victim Services Unit will collect jeans from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Civic Center Cafeteria and provide information and resources. Additionally, community members may donate new and gently used denim clothing all month long in the marked donation box in the lobby of the DA’s Office, in Civic Center Suite 145. All donations will be distributed to local community shelters or organizations that help families with clothing needs. No receipts will be given for donations.
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From youth-led events to diving into playground design or Marin's history, there is something for everyone!
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4th Annual Marin Youth Town Hall
Sunday, April 26, 2026
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Marin County Civic Center: 3501 Civic Center Dr., San Rafael (Board of Supervisors' Chambers - Suite 330)
The student-led event invites young people ages 12–25 to ask questions, share their perspectives, and engage in an open conversation with mayors, vice mayors, and councilmembers from across Marin County. Registration is open online. The event is free and open to Marin students ages 12–25 and their families.
The Youth Town Hall is organized by students in the Student Elections Ambassador Program (SEAP), a youth-led civic engagement initiative supported by the Marin County Elections Department, the League of Women Voters of Marin County, and the Marin County Office of Education. Learn more about SEAP and how to apply at marincounty.gov/SEAP.
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Marin Open Studios Weekends:
May 2-3 and May 9-10
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sausalito Center for the Arts: 750 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Once a year, Marin Open Studios artists across the county open their creative spaces to the public. Explore hidden studios in your neighborhood, meet the creators behind the work, and support the local arts by purchasing original pieces directly from the source. Plan your route here.
Can’t decide where to go first? Visit the Showcase Gallery in Sausalito to view the work of all participating artists in one curated space and plan your self-guided tour.
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Help Design an Inclusive Playground and Outdoor Classroom for McInnis Park!
Saturday, May 2, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Pioneer Park Playground: 1007 Simmons Ln, Novato
Marin County Parks and the City of Novato invite you to come out and play at Pioneer Park, share your ideas, and help design a future inclusive playground and outdoor classroom at McInnis Park in San Rafael. Meet other families and talk with County Parks about playground features, colors, textures, safety, and more.
Play at Novato’s new inclusive playground and speak with Marin County Parks staff to shape the North Bay’s largest future inclusive playground and outdoor classroom. The first 30 visitors will receive Marin County Parks hats.
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Marin County Youth Commission Wellness Festival
Saturday, May 2, 2026
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Terra Linda High School: 320 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael
Join for a free community event focused on health, creativity, and connection for youth and adults. This year’s festival features art and film workshops and interactive wellness activities.
Open to middle and high school students, as well as adults of all ages, the Wellness Festival is a great opportunity to explore ways to support mental, physical, and emotional well-being in a welcoming, community-centered environment.
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Marin Community History Day
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Boyd House Gardens: 1125 B Street, San Rafael
Celebrate the inaugural Marin Community History Day with a lively, family-friendly gathering featuring 16 local historical organizations. Enjoy interactive booths, hands-on heritage crafts, and bilingual tours of the Museum’s newest exhibit, Rancho Roots: The Californio Legacy of Marin, which explores the region’s early Spanish and Mexican history and its lasting impact today.
The event is free and open to all, with free Mexican lunch for the first 100 attendees. Come early and join the celebration!
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Marin’s Iconic Dipsea Race, and Its Pioneering Women
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
College of Marin, Kentfield Campus: 835 College Ave, Kentfield (Center for Student Success - Room 200)
Join renowned historian Barry Spitz for an engaging presentation on the legendary Dipsea Race, highlighting its colorful history and the trailblazing women who helped shape it.
The evening includes a reception from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM, followed by welcome remarks and the presentation from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event is free and open to all.
Parking is available on campus ($4 fee; Lot 6 is closest). Advanced RSVP is encouraged as space is limited.
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Chatting with resident Susan Clark at office hours at the Thursday farmers market
Helix School open house presentation about the importance of movement integrated into learning and the day overall
Litter clean-up by kayak, thanks to San Rafael business 101 Surf Sports under the HWY-101 in San Rafael, with Marin School of Environmental Leadership students
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Riding a Redwood Bikeshare e-bike near the Civic Center lagoon for our County Employees' Nooner Lagooner wellness event
College of Marin Centennial Gala and Endowment Fundraiser, with Heather McPhail Sridharan and Sumant Sridharan
District 1 Youth Commissioner and Marin School of Environmental Leadership student Anna Wallen’s green business booth: AloeHa at the Green Business Fair
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 Recognizing National Library Week and National Library Workers' Day
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 May is Mental Health Month resolution adopted
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