The Novato City Council has approved a long-awaited parks master plan to guide its project priorities.
Katie Gauntlett, the parks and recreation director, called the document’s approval a milestone in city history.
“Throughout the process, the community shared with us that maintaining and improving our existing parks and outdoor recreation amenities is their top priority,” Gauntlett said. “This feedback will support how we utilize our limited funding and resources to deliver community identified wants and needs.”
The council unanimously approved the plan as part of the consent calendar at its meeting on April 9.
The document includes 48 possible projects over the next decade, though each one will be reviewed on its merits and financial factors, Gauntlett said.
“Identified projects within the parks master plan will still be required to follow the city’s process for review and approval by the City Council once the appropriate funding is identified,” Gauntlett said.
The city has acknowledged that the project list will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as funds become available. The city’s precarious finances might result in a delay or the inability to implement the programs, and the document does not commit funding.
The city projects a deficit of approximately $2.6 million for the current fiscal year, an increase from the adopted budget in July, which projected a $1.7 million shortfall. The city expects $47.9 million in revenue and $50.6 million in expenses.
The projects include turf reseeding projects at the Bahia Mini Parks for an estimated cost of $700,000; drainage repair at Arroyo Avichi Park for $300,000; long-term improvements at the Hill Recreation Area for nearly $9.2 million; and a new playground structure at Slade Park for $270,000.
The parks plan also includes a focus on improving recreation access and opportunities for residents of all abilities and socioeconomic status.
“We believe that parks make life better, and our city parks and recreation facilities are intended to create healthy spaces where our community can play, gather and have fun together,” Gauntlett said.
The city manages 38 facilities and parks, including Lee Gerner Park, the Hill Recreation Area and Marin Highlands Park. The 28 parks cover 316.5 acres and feature hiking trails, 14 playgrounds, playing fields, outdoor courts and picnic areas, among other amenities.
The City Council allocated $250,000 to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department to develop the planning document. City staff selected BerryDunn as the firm to prepare it. BerryDunn and RRC Associates, a national survey firm, developed a community survey that guided the goals set forth in the document.
The survey, which received 1,342 responses, called on the city to better maintain the parks it has before adding more. Aside from the maintenance issue, the survey also called for greater safety for youths and older park users, and updates for potential deficiencies under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The document was further guided by public engagement with groups such as the Novato Youth Soccer Association and the Novato Tennis Club. The public engagement process included community meetings, focus groups, tabling at community events, surveys and hearings before the Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Advisory Commission.
In November, the city revealed the survey results in public meetings, leading to a draft master plan. The draft was presented to the City Council on March 12 and approved for adoption.
During the process, the city led a $1.1 million construction project for a fully accessible and inclusive playground for children with disabilities at Pioneer Park at 1007 Simmons Lane.
“We are grateful for the community’s input throughout this yearlong process and look forward to continuing to engage with our community as we work toward delivering the projects and goals identified in the plan,” said Mayor Mark Milberg.
