Corte Madera moves forward with Menke Park improvements

Corte Madera is preparing to seek bids for a $435,000 revitalization of Menke Park.

The Town Council voted Tuesday night to authorize the public works director to advertise the project, approve the plans and award a contract. The town aims for construction to begin in the middle of March and last about five months.

The park is one of the older public spaces in the town and the venue for its summer concert series. The town might move the concerts to Town Park during the construction period.

The project will include upgrades such as new shingles and paint and a removable railing at Piccolo Pavilion; a new retaining wall; irrigation system replacements; new benches; and fresh plants and sod. It also will include a path between the lower and upper park areas that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The town will pay for the project through various public and private sources, including $100,000 from the capital project fund, $100,000 in Measure A parks revenue, $60,000 from the sales tax fund and $150,000 from the Corte Madera Community Foundation.

“I think that this proposal that’s going out to bid is something that’s going to make this park the great gem in the heart of our town for the next century,” Bob Bundy, a foundation officer, said at the council meeting.

The town will remove seven trees that are in poor condition and replace them with three native trees: a coast live oak, a cucumber magnolia and a California sycamore. The park will also get 40 new agapanthus plants, and existing ones will be preserved or relocated.

“Glad to see that there’s a good amount of native planting,” Councilmember Eli Beckman said. “Can we push it further?”

Beckman suggested partnering with the nonprofit organization Refugia Marin to add more native plants. Councilmember Pat Ravasio said the town had unofficial conversations with Refugia Marin to inform plant selection for the park.

The town held a community meeting about the project in early 2025. Staff incorporated public comments to create the construction plan with the goal of fostering a more welcoming environment for concerts and activities, according to Adam Wolff, town manager.

During the comment period, some people expressed a desire for better parking, traffic circulation and event opportunities. These requests were not within the scope of the project, according to town staff.

Ravasio asked about additional infrastructure updates for the project, like a bathroom.

“For this project in particular, we’re focused specifically on the park,” said Chris Good, the director of public works. “This could be phase one and then additional phases could come later to make improvements further out.”