Susan Ives
Open space advocates cheered the Marin County Supervisors’ decision on November 14th to buy the San Geronimo Golf Course for public open space. The 157-acre property near Nicasio has operated as a private golf course for more than 50 years. As golf’s popularity waned, the 18-hole links have been on and off the market. Zoned for commercial recreation, the land was eyed for private development and nearly sold last summer. That’s when the County decided to take a shot.
The Trust for Public Land agreed to option the property, keeping it off the market to give the County time to find funding for the $8.5-million purchase, while vetting the idea with the community.
The San Geronimo Golf Course is part of a wounded watershed where a dwindling population of endangered coho salmon arrives each winter to spawn. The County learned that the two creeks that wend through the property would be eligible for state grants for habitat restoration, bringing the purchase price within the reach. Measure A, an existing County sales tax for parks and open space, brought the County within sight of its acquisition goal.
Nearly 250 people crowded into the Supervisors’ hearing. Opponents to the County’s plan argued that the golf course should stay. Proponents from more than 20 local organizations, including the Sierra Club, argued for placing the land in public hands. We argued that purchasing the land would remove the threat of development, restore stream habitats, connect a greenbelt corridor, and provide opportunities for outdoor education and recreation, with free access to all.
“An opportunity like this happens once in a lifetime,” said Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, who spearheaded the effort to buy the land for the public. The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed.
Future uses of the soon-to-be public park will be hashed out in community meetings in the coming months. Thanks to everyone who sent a letter, made a call, or showed up at a meeting to make this victory happen!