Benefits from Marin Parks' Measure A Start to Bear Fruit

The first disbursement of funds from the Measure A City, Town and Special District Program, worth a combined $982,288.76, got underway on Jan. 6 and may be used in the following ways:

* To maintain and renovate existing parks, preserves and recreational facilities

* To construct new parks and recreational facilities or acquire parklands

* To engage in vegetation management to reduce wildfire risk, promote biodiversity or control invasive non-native weeds on private, municipal or district lands

Some towns and cities are in the process of submitting work plans, according to Marin County Parks staff.

“We’re pleased that this funding has started to flow to our partners,” said Linda Dahl, Director and General Manager of Marin County Parks. “It fulfills our promise to voters that every community in Marin will reap the benefits of Measure A.” 

And there is more money on the way. The municipalities and special districts will receive such disbursements every six months over the next nine years thanks to the quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in November 2012. The first allotment was provided to the County of Marin’s Finance Division on Dec. 31, 2013, from the state Board of Equalization.

Here are some specific plans by the funding recipients:

* In San Rafael, plans call for turf replacement, basketball and tennis court repairs, and safety repairs and enhancements to playground equipment

* In the Strawberry Recreation District, the money will cover part of the cost of an ultraviolet disinfection system in a swimming pool and spa.

 * In the Tamalpais Community Services District, repairs will be made to the Tam Valley Community Center, a parking lot and park pathway, and improvements to the Rhubarb Trail

* In Bolinas, money will go toward maintenance of a youth baseball field and rehabilitation of a playground by the Firehouse Community Park Agency.

The majority of Measure A funds – 65 percent – will be used by Marin County Parks to restore natural resources, maintain County parks and open space preserves, restore and improve public access, and protect natural lands. Another 20 percent of funds will be dedicated to saving family farms and ranches through the purchase of agricultural conservation easements in voluntary transactions with landowners.

Marin County Parks is providing information about Measure A-funded projects through an annual reporting process. All participants are required to provide work plans and expenditure reports to Marin County Parks. Of all funds collected from the tax measure, 15 percent will be allocated to the City, Town and Special District Program.

For more information about Measure A allocations, check www.marincountyparks.org.