City Voices Their Concerns on the Proposed 180-Vehicle Parking Lot at Muir Woods

With frustrations building around the National Park Service plan to build a 180-car parking lot at four-corners, concerned residents of Mill Valley are reaching out for places to be heard. 

The City of Mill Valley wants residents to know that they are concerned with the impact the project will have on the community as well, and they are not sitting by idling.

Mill Valley City Assistant, Linn Walsh, explained, "We have been getting several phone calls and emails with concerns from resident's, unfortunately, we this is not our project. We are doing our best to express our concerns to the project managers, and we are sending on the concerns we receive to the proper NPS department."

Walsh emphasized that it is important for residents to send their concerns directly to the project  online by clicking here or in writing to: GGNRA, Attn: Muir Woods Transportation Projects, Fort Mason, Building 201, San Francisco 94123.

The City Manager, Jim McCann recently wrote this letter to the Muir Woods Transportation Project, urging the NPS to hear your comments:

GGNRA

Attn: Muir Woods Transportation Projects 

Fort Mason, Building 201

San Francisco CA, 94123

October 2, 2013

The City of Mill Valley would like to communicate our concerns and the concerns of Mill Valley residents regarding the National Park Service's proposals for a range of possible operational and physical improvements to mitigate parking congestion in Muir Woods.

Guided by their Core Values of healthy natural environment with emphasis on conservation, open space, climate protection and sustainability, the Mill Valley City Council has established environmental conservation, traffic mitigation, and effective communication as key issues. The City of Mill Valley has a long-standing commitment when it comes to environmental protection and other sustainability related initiatives, and has a history of encouraging thoughtful transportation planning and multi-modal transportation options .

City officials are monitoring the project and would like to communicate with National Park Service representatives regarding our concerns and the concerns of our residents related to potential traffic and environmental impacts of the proposed options. We would also like to encourage National Park Service representatives to extend and enhance public communication efforts to ensure that the decision-making process includes all viewpoints.

We have received the attached comments from community members expressing concerns regarding the proposals. I urge you to consider these concerns in your design and review process. Further, please note that the City of Mill Valley greatly appreciates the beauty of Muir Woods and the greater natural environment of Mount Tamalpais and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We recognize the attractiveness of these national treasures and we understand the need to better address access, circulation, and parking facilities (and applaud a proactive approach to problem solving). We request that any programs or improvements do no damage or impact the very special nature and appearance of the Panoramic Highway and not increase traffic or congestion on the streets within Mill Valley or our immediate vicinity .

We would be happy to meet with National Park Service staff to discuss this matter at your earliest convenience. Kindly send your response to my assistant, Linn Walsh, at lwalsh@cityofmillvalley.org or (415) 388-4033.

Sincerely,

Jim McCann

City Manager of Mill Valley 

You can view the National Park Service PowerPoint Presentation for more details about the proposed projects discussed at the Scoping Meeting.

National Park Service representatives have scheduled a second meeting for November 20, 2013 at Tamalpais Valley Elementary School (350 Bell Lane; Mill Valley, CA 94941). Please note that due to the federal government shutdown, this meeting may be canceled and rescheduled, however, the date is still being tentatively held.