Park & Recreation Commission Receives Update on Citywide Parks and Recreation Master Plan Implementation
The City of San Rafael has released its annual update on the implementation of the Citywide Parks and Recreation Master Plan, a comprehensive roadmap adopted in 2023 to guide park improvements, recreation programming, and long-term investment in the City’s park and recreation facilities. Developed through extensive community input and infrastructure assessment, the plan outlines 162 recommendations ranging from park and playground upgrades to new policies and programs. City staff will present the latest progress report to the Park & Recreation Commission on November 20, 2025.
Since the plan’s adoption, the City has focused heavily on recommendations identified as near-term priorities. Several significant improvements are now fully or substantially complete, including upgrades at Albert Park, Boyd Park, Peacock Gap Park, and Pickleweed Park. These efforts span safety enhancements, new play structures, fields, sport courts, and fitness equipment, as well as pathway and landscaping improvements.
Projects to resurface the tennis courts at Peacock Gap and Freitas Parks are currently in development. While larger projects, such as updating Gerstle Park’s playgrounds and pathways, are included in the City Council’s three-year strategic plan and will move forward in the coming years.
Beyond capital improvements, the City has also made strides in operational and policy-focused goals. In 2025, the City completed a comprehensive enhancement plan for Terra Linda Park and Community Center. New initiatives include strengthened marketing for recreation programs and ongoing analysis to develop a comprehensive fee policy. Staff are also advancing efforts to improve restroom maintenance and develop a recommended schedule for park and recreation amenity replacement.
The report also highlights emerging priorities shaped by Master Plan criteria. Chief among them is the acquisition of 620 Canal Street, a site identified as a key future park location and a potential southern landing for a long-anticipated pedestrian bridge serving the Canal neighborhood. The purchase, completed in November 2025 and in partnership with several regional organizations, marks a significant step toward expanding public access and connectivity.
The Master Plan remains a crucial tool for guiding decisions, funding, and long-term strategy. As new opportunities and challenges arise, the plan helps ensure that improvements continue to reflect community and the City’s broader vision for a vibrant and accessible parks system. The annual update provided to the Park & Recreation Commission is part of the City’s ongoing accountability and progress-tracking efforts.