San Rafael, CA – The County of Marin’s protected public land along San Pablo Bay will grow by 33.1 acres with the acquisition of Bucks Landing, a move approved February 25 by the Marin County Board of Supervisors.
The Bucks Landing property has a dock on Gallinas Creek and was one of 10 targeted conservation areas identified in Marin County Parks' 2008 Strategic Plan.The property is 2.3 miles northeast of the Marin County Civic Center along North San Pedro Road and about a quarter-mile from China Camp State Park’s western boundary. It is on the south side of Gallinas Creek, providing a prime opportunity to ensure public access to the bay. The property is within the “San Pablo Bayfront” area, one of 10 targeted conservation areas identified in Marin County Parks’ 2008 Strategic Plan.
The purchase price is $1.59 million, but the acquisition will have no impact on the County’s General Fund. The Board approval allows for Marin County Parks to accept a $500,000 grant from the State Coastal Conservancy’s Climate Ready Program, originating from the State of California’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The grant brings the County’s acquisition price down to $1.09 million, a balance that will be funded by Measure A, a quarter-cent countywide sales tax that supports parks, open space, and agricultural lands across Marin. Thirteen percent of Measure A funds are set aside for land acquisitions and easements.
Parks staff has negotiated since 2016 with the owners of Bucks Landing, known as Gallinas Landing LLC. The property, which straddles North San Pedro Road, contains wetlands, forest and has provided boat access to the bay under private ownership for approximately the past 70 years. In past decades, the property was used as a roadside bar, a brickyard, and a boat storage area.
“The County has long sought to protect this site and ensure coastal access for all members of the public into the future,” said Director Max Korten. “Protection and preservation of tidal marshes and wetlands like these on the San Pablo Bay are so important for habitat and sensitive wildlife populations, and for sea level rise resilience.”
Bucks Landing is adjacent to the 14.8-acre Heron Hill section of the San Pedro Mountain Open Space Preserve, which is also managed by Marin County Parks. Heron Hill was acquired by the County with Measure A support in 2014.