San Rafael, CA – In pursuit of making its open spaces more accessible to all users, Marin County Parks is developing its first Inclusive Access Plan and holding a public workshop July 21 in Corte Madera.
Marin is taking historical steps to create more recreational opportunities in for people with physical challenges. Marin County Parks is developing the plan to increase the equitability of access to County open space preserves and give visitors increased flexibility to plan their visits according to their own physical abilities.
In a follow-up to its first public workshop in May, Marin County Parks will continue its public outreach at 6 p.m. July 21 at the Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, 770 Tamalpais Drive, Suite 201 (at the south end of the property near the Barnes & Noble bookstore).
Considerations included within the scope of the plan include:
1) the incorporation of appropriate accessible design features in open space preserves
2) guidelines for communicating preserve accessibility information to users
3) basic design and location selection for a system of destination-oriented trails that would provide access exceeding federal, state, or local guidelines and requirements
4) updates to policies and procedures that make it possible for Marin County Parks to proactively manage issues presented by rapid technological change — for example, other power-driven mobility devices that are capable of navigating steep and uneven terrain.
Staff will present a set of proposed policies for the destination-oriented trail system, tools for communication, protocol for monitoring trail accessibility, and the destination-oriented trails system.
“Most of the roads and trails in Marin’s open space preserves were originally built to be logging and ranch roads,” said Craig Richardson, an open space planner for Marin County Parks. “We want everyone to feel welcome in our preserves regardless of physical ability. Making some of these roads accessible means that more people will be able to explore Marin County’s incredible natural resources.”
Development of the plan will include review and analysis of current state, federal, and county requirements, standards, and best-practice guidelines relating to accessibility in open space areas. Additionally, plan development will include extensive outreach to organizations and stakeholders who have a primary interest in access issues.
The Inclusive Access Plan has been made possible through Measure A funding.