Sausalito marks full reopening of Marinship Park
The amenities at Marinship Park in Sausalito are officially open to the public again following a $373,000 rehabilitation project.
The project replaced the asphalt play surface of the tennis courts and resurfaced the parking lot. One of the three tennis courts was reconfigured as two pickleball courts.
The area has been partially closed since the removal of a camp for homeless people more than two years ago. The camp caused some damage to the courts, according to the city.
“This is really a dual win for Sausalito and its community,” Mayor Joan Cox said at the City Council meeting on Jan. 21. “Through lots of hard work and collaboration with our partners in the state and county, we were able to close the encampment and provide housing the homeless.”
“The second victory is the refurbishment of the Marinship tennis court,” she said. “I am delighted to see the pickleball courts in great use.”
The city allotted up to $416,000 for the contractor but completed the project under budget by managing the work through its public works department, according to a staff report.
“We are delighted to bring this lovely park back online with tennis courts and the addition of pickleball courts,” said Councilmember Jill Hoffman. “Our parks and recreation facilities are important to our small community and a priority for us on the City Council.”
Councilmember Ian Sobieski said, “As a tennis player and resident I am happy as anyone to see the tennis courts back better than ever and adapted for pickleball as well.”
About 30 homeless residents lived at the encampment at its peak. The camp was vacated following an approximately $500,000 settlement between city and the California Homeless Union that provided housing assistance.
The city declared a state of emergency over the camp following a fire on the tennis courts in February 2022.
“I think it’s shameful the city is scapegoating the camp for the need for the remediation. People’s presence there never caused damage that would warrant almost three years of repairs,” said Robbie Powelson, an advocate for the homeless population.
The city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month to mark the reopening of the courts.