Tiburon to hold bayfront tour in parks planning effort

Tiburon officials are planning a community walking tour at Blackie’s Pasture on Sunday as they gather public comments for developing the town’s parks and recreation master plan.

The plan, part of the town’s general plan, involves a framework for priority projects, identifying what facilities need to be built and where safety needs can be improved. The town plans to study public spaces and the possibility of new community amenities, including play areas, restrooms, events and a kayak launch.

The town does not have a comprehensive planning document guiding the use, development and management of parks facilities. The plan’s development coincides with town preparations to acquire new park property, which might include former wastewater treatment ponds near McKegney Green.

More workshops are scheduled for January, with final drafts to be reviewed by the Parks, Open Space & Trails Commission and the Town Council in May and June.

The master plan process is in the needs assessment phase. The Town Council will be updated on the process later this year.

The tour at Blackie’s Pasture is scheduled for 1 p.m. to about 3:30 p.m. It follows other public forums that were held on Sept. 11 and 12.

The town has also mailed residents a survey on the master plan and posted a version online at tiburonsurvey.org.

Councilmember Isaac Nikfar, a former member of the commission, said public input is key to the process.

“We like more engagement, that’s part of why we are doing all these events and the survey,” Nikfar said. “It’s a way of really driving outreach. We are really hoping to get as much participation as possible.”

Nikfar was a member of a commission subcommittee that spearheaded the development of the master plan. He said it would guide how parks will be shaped over the next 20 years.

“Whether it’s facilities, or safety on the path, or making sure something stays the way that it is, I really would like to see activities the public would love doing,” Nikfar said.

The town has more than 70 acres of park sites. The walking tour on Sunday will include discussions about the Richardson Bay Sanitary District site, the Old Rail Trail, South of the Knoll Park, McKegney Green, Blackie’s Pasture and Greenwood Beach.

Mayor Jack Ryan said he plans to attend.

“The process is going well,” he said. “You can never have enough public participation, but, so far, those who have engaged have really added to the dialogue. And it’s hardly too late to add to the conversation. We hope to keep adding voices.”