Corte Madera Embarks on Master Planning for the Town Park and Recreation Center

Master Plan Links:

Community Opinion Survey Report

Needs Assessment Summary Report

Buildling Evaluation for the Corte Madera Recreation Center 9-25-06

Preliminary Concept Alternatives - 10/16/06

Consultant Presentation Community Workshop #1 - 6/05/06

Consultant Presentation, Community Workshop #2, 10/16/06

Consultant Presentation, Community Workshop #3, 1/29/07

Consultant Presentation, 2/26/07

Summary Report - Community Workshop #2 - 10/16/06

Neighborhood Workshop Summary - 12/06/06

Revised Concept Alternatives - 1/29/07

Summary of Public Workshop #3, 1/29/07

Minutes of Public Workshop #4, 2/26/07
Agenda Master Plan Public Workshop #5 - 5/21/07

Minutes of Public Workshop #5 - 5/21/07
Agenda Steering Committee Meeting, 8/22/07

Draft Community Center Cost Recovery Analysis
Plans of the Community Center Building and the Park, 8/07
Plans of the Community Center Building and the Park 9/18/07

Frequently Asked Questions

The Town of Corte Madera has engaged the services of Harris Design, Noll & Tam Architects, and The Sports Management Group to assist in the preparation of a master plan for the Corte Madera Town Park and the Recreation Center. The purpose of the plan is to define a community-based vision for improving the recreational facilities, and to establish a foundation for funding and future implementation of the improvements on a phased priority basis. The consultants will be working with a steering committee consisting of Town Council members, Recreation Commission members, Larkspur School District administrators, Town staff, and the community over the next 10 months to craft the plan.

Why Prepare a Master Plan? Town Park and the Corte Madera Recreation Center play a critical role in enhancing Town residents’ quality of life. Facilities for sports, classes, picnics, cultural activities, social events, and a host of other functions are provided here. Over time, such facilities may become outdated, or may decline in their physical condition, and therefore may not provide as great a benefit to the community as is desired. The Recreation Center building in particular is in need of being upgraded, repaired, or rebuilt to better serve the community. A short- and long-term plan for improvements is critical to the best utilization of a community’s limited open space and to the successful delivery of current and future recreational services. It is very important that any changes or improvements made will serve the highest priorities for community recreation, so that the best use of limited financial resources may be made.

What are the Steps in the Planning Process?
The planning process will unfold in four phases. Ample opportunity for public involvement will be maintained throughout each phase.

Phase 1: Data Gathering and Needs Assessment (May – June 2006)
In the initial phase, a baseline of existing conditions will be established. The Park and the Recreation Center will be inventoried and analyzed. The condition of the building will be assessed by the project architects and engineers. Opportunities and constraints for improvements will be identified. The first phase will also involve significant public outreach, and a “needs assessment” will be prepared that identifies the community’s recreation needs over the next 20 year time frame. This assessment will include a study of demographic trends, the first community workshop, three separate focus groups, and an opinion survey. Don’t be surprised if you receive a phone call asking for your opinions!

Phase 2: Design Options (July – Sep 2006)
Phase 2 will be devoted to development of several alternative design concepts for the park and recreation center. These options will respond to the community’s issues, goals, and priorities defined during Phase 1. For example, one option may show the Recreation Center to be improved or expanded, and another option may show the Recreation Center to be torn down and a new building constructed in its place or elsewhere within the Park site. The design team will be “thinking outside the box” to ensure that many possibilities are identified for review by the public. These ideas will be presented to the public at the second public workshop in September.

Phase 3: Preferred Plan (Oct – Dec 2006)
Phase 3 will involve defining a design program, or list of improvements to be incorporated into the design. For example, the program will define the type, sizes, and amenities of the spaces inside the Recreation Center building, or the type of recreational facilities to be deleted, modified, or added to the Park. Based on this program, and based on the feedback received during public review of the design options, a single “preferred plan” will be prepared. This plan will be brought before the public in a third workshop in December.

Phase 4: Recommendations and City Approvals (Jan – Feb 2007)
In the final phase, a phasing plan will be developed to identify a logical sequence of implementation phases based on the community’s priorities. A funding plan will also be developed, and the preferred plan brought before the Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Town Council for review and approval.

What Happens after the Master Plan is Approved?
The Town will move ahead with securing adequate funding for the design and construction of the project, most likely in two or more phases. A number of different funding sources will be necessary to achieve plan implementation.

How Can I Get More Information and Stay Involved?
Please contact the Town of Corte Madera Department of Recreation and Leisure Services (415) 927-5072 for more information or to request to be put on the project mailing list.

We Need Your Support!
We hope you will help to spread the word and build public support for this exciting quality-of-life improvement project.!