Politics & Government

National Park Service to Host 2nd Meeting With Alternatives For Muir Woods Site Improvements

The Muir Woods site improvement project, specifically a 180-vehicle parking lot on Panoramic Highway, has been an area of contention among residents. Comments are being accepted through Oct. 4, second meeting planned Nov. 20.

From the City of Mill Valley
The City of Mill Valley would like to inform residents about the National Park Service’s proposal for a range of possible operational and physical improvements to mitigate parking congestion in Muir Woods and their current process of soliciting input. 

National Park Service representatives held a Public Scoping Meeting on September 18, 2013 in which they introduced two projects: a Reservation and Shuttle System (2014-15 Implementation) and Transportation and Access Site Improvements (2016 + Implementation). 

Under the Reservation and Shuttle System project, National Park Service planners propose a reservation system with a website and call center, reserved parking and/or shuttle time slots, and reservations offered at rate that matches available capacity. Planners propose parking management solutions such as improvements to existing Muir Woods parking lots, and along the shoulders of lower Muir Woods Road and Panoramic Highway. Proposed shuttle systems would include a Sausalito Ferry Connection, Highway 101/1 Shuttle, and a Panoramic Highway loop. 

Under the Transportation and Access Site Improvements project, National Park Service planners are exploring options for improvements to Muir Woods Road and existing parking lots, trail extensions, a parking lot on the Panoramic Highway, and a new arrival plaza and other facilities. 

Please see 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). The meeting will take place from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

According to a National Park Service press release, at this second meeting, the project team will summarize the comments received during the scoping period, update participants on plans for the parking reservation system, and present a range of alternatives for site improvements at Muir Woods.

Participants will be invited to discuss and refine the concept alternatives in a workshop format. 

Comments on the Muir Woods parking plan will be accepted through October 4, 2013 in writing to: GGNRA, Attn: Muir Woods Transportation Projects, Fort Mason, Building 201, San Francisco 94123. Online comments are not currently being accepted due to the Federal government shutdown. When it becomes available, City staff will provide a link. 

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. 

While the City of Mill Valley has no regulatory authority over the land use and decision-making process in National Park Service lands, City officials are monitoring the project and communicating with the National Park Service regarding our concerns related to potential traffic and environmental impacts of the proposed options. The City will also encourage National Park Service representatives to extend and enhance their public communication efforts and to ensure that the decision-making process includes all viewpoints. 

Further information is not available at this time, due to the Federal government shutdown. When it becomes available, City staff will provide a link. 

Further questions and comments may be directed to Linn Walsh, Assistant to the City Manager, atlwalsh@cityofmillvalley.org or (415) 388-4033. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here