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Community Webinar and Site Overview
In this issue, we’re excited to share the latest updates on the San Geronimo Commons project, including how to join the upcoming community webinar and a look at the Marin County Parks lands that help shape the surrounding area.
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Join Us Next Week for a Community Webinar
We invite you to join us next Tuesday, April 21, for an important community webinar on the San Geronimo Commons project. This is a valuable opportunity to hear the latest updates, better understand the project timeline, and learn what to expect in the months ahead as planning continues.
Community input has played a meaningful role in shaping the project. During the webinar, we’ll share how feedback received to date has influenced key elements from community access to safety and environmental priorities. We’ll also outline how ongoing input will continue to inform the project as it moves forward.
Fire Chief Jason Weber and Marin County Parks Director Chris Chamberlain will provide updates and answer questions directly from the community.
Your participation is an important part of this process, and we encourage you to join the conversation.
Date: Tuesday, April 21 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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San Geronimo Commons: History and Stewardship
The Commons has a strong foundation in conservation and community input. In 2017, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) purchased the 157-acre property with the goal of transferring it into public ownership. A year later, TPL led a community engagement process that continues to guide planning today.
In 2024, the property transitioned to public stewardship under the County of Marin. Since then, these lands have remained open for community use, allowing the public to recreate and benefit from the space while preserving its natural character. Most of the site, including creeks, trails, and open space, is protected under a conservation easement and will remain publicly accessible. The remaining area, located north of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near Nicasio Valley Road, will serve as the Fire Department’s Headquarters Facility, designed to meet the community’s growing emergency response and medical needs, now and into the future.
Marin County Parks manages the surrounding open space, helping care for the land and keeping trails and natural areas accessible. This work complements the San Geronimo Commons and reflects a shared effort with Marin County Fire to support a connected landscape where public access, environmental stewardship, and community safety come together.
Marin County Parks: Protecting the Surrounding Landscape
Building on this legacy of stewardship, Marin County Parks plays an important role in caring for the surrounding Commons and ensuring these lands continue to serve the community. While the Fire Headquarters will be located within a specific part of the land, it exists in a broader, connected landscape where open space, recreation, and public safety come together. Ongoing coordination between Marin County Fire and Marin County Parks helps maintain trail access, protect natural resources, and support a shared vision for the Commons.
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This ongoing stewardship is reflected in the day-to-day care and management of the site. Marin County Parks Rangers conduct inspections of the San Geronimo and Larsen Meadows twice a week. These include general site checks and servicing amenities such as dog waste stations. The Parks team also coordinates special use permits, including the recent Lagunitas School 5K. Recent maintenance work has included removing a derelict fuel tank from the maintenance yard and completing temporary repairs to the bridge decking at Larsen Meadow. |
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Seasonal stewardship focuses on habitat health, wildfire resilience, and public access. This includes annual fuel reduction work such as mowing along pathways, around structures, and across meadow areas to support pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian access, and manage invasive plants. Wildlife biologists conduct bird monitoring prior to fuel reduction activities to help minimize impacts on wildlife.
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Marin County Parks partners with organizations to support restoration efforts.
- Trout Unlimited is advancing planning for habitat restoration along San Geronimo Creek, with a key design milestone expected in 2026.
- At San Geronimo Meadow, volunteers with the People’s Watershed Collaborative support habitat improvements, including maintenance of a pollinator garden.
- The Marin County Flood Control District also maintains mitigation sites in the meadow, with recent work focused on weed removal in planted areas.
Shaping the Future of the Commons Together
As the San Geronimo Commons project continues to move forward, our focus remains on balancing community priorities with the long-term needs of public safety, environmental stewardship, and access to open space. We encourage you to stay informed, participate in the upcoming webinar, and continue sharing your input. Together, we are working to create a space that reflects the values of the San Geronimo Valley and serves the community for generations to come.
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Stay Connected
Thank you for staying engaged with this project! We look forward to sharing more updates in future newsletters. Please feel free to share this with your neighbors so they can stay informed and sign up for future updates.
You can also follow us on your favorite social media platforms.
  
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