LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Resiliencyis something that Town of San Anselmo Recreation department knows about firsthand, especially when it comes to balancing health and safety, resources, and creativity to make a difference in the lives of our community members that we serve every day. This past year has been challenging for everyone, however, we made certain that open space, parks, sports, childcare and camps remained accessible to families and children who needed an outlet for restoring their physical and mental health.

As we close the book on 2020 and look forward to 2021, we would like to share the exciting Progresswe are making on the Memorial Park repairs and restoration. Memorial Park was initially developed as a baseball facility. Over the years, components were added such as, the picnic areas, the tennis courts, the playground, the Elder’s Garden and most recently the basketball court and skate plaza. The park is a beloved community hub for social gatherings, family activities, sports leagues, and many other activities, and has served the community well for many generations.

Playing Fields & Meadow

The largest component of Memorial Park is the playing fields. These facilities include three baseball/ softball fields with dirt infields and a large natural turf area that is used for the baseball, softball, soccer, and for the many camps, classes and activities offered by the Recreation Department. The playing fields and meadow receive by far the greatest usage in the park and need substantial improvements to protect the health and safety of our users.

The repairs to the fields and meadow will include improved drainage, a new irrigation system, and new turf with some grading. The new irrigation system will improve the maintenance of the turf and soil and will have a life expectancy of 30 to 50 years. The new turf will also make the fields and meadow safer for a wide variety of activities. This project has been approved by Town Council and will begin mid-August 2021 and is scheduled to be completed at the end of March 2022. The Recreation Department will continue to offer our annual fall camps, soccer league, and other sports by relocating all activities to local fields.

Due to its constant use and the fact that many of the playground elements are made of wood, the playground needs repair. Town Council approved the formation of a Millennium Playground Community Advisory Committee (MPCAC). This committee will include two Town Council liaisons, three Parks and Recreation Commissioners and up to seven (7) residents.

Staff is currently working with a playground safety inspector and any repairs needing immediate attention will be fixed. In addition to making the repairs, the Town is exploring potential opportunities to make improvements within the playground footprint with the intent of improving the playground for use by the community for the next twenty years. It our intention is to preserve the existing playground structures and layout. Any suggested improvements would be designed to enhance and complement the existing playground.

Skate Park

Lastly, we are excited to announce that there will be a rehabilitation and rebuild of the Skate Park at Memorial Park. Skateparks foster a strong sense of community, build camaraderie among kids and families, and help keep our children active and healthy in a safe, secure environment. The project will meet the safety and standards for the latest skatepark design principles for skateboarders and scooters to develop their skills. The design will integrate with the existing skate park elements and will be designed for all age groups and ability levels.

Thank you for all your support over the past year. We are looking forward to reopening many of our programs as the State and County COVID guidelines allow. San Anselmo has so many great things to offer, and you don’t want to miss out. Visit us at www.sananselmorecreation.org to create some great memories.

Stay Safe and Healthy –Your team at the San Anselmo Recreation Department