TOWN OF FAIRFAX · SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING · JULY 22, 2026 Naming the Fairfax
Open Space Preserve
A resolution establishing official names for the 100-acre “Wall Property,” its features, and its trails — shaped by the community, the Fairfax Open Space Committee, and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
Why We're Here Tonight
The Town acquired the 100-acre Wall Property in 2024 as permanent public open space. After eighteen months of community input, committee review, and tribal consultation, the naming slate is complete and ready for adoption.
Receive
Accept the final naming
recommendations of FOSC,
the Council subcommittee,
and the Federated Indians
of Graton Rancheria.
Adopt
Approve a resolution
establishing the official
names for the property, its
features, and its trails.
Direct
Authorize staff to proceed
with design, fabrication,
and installation of signage
consistent with the
adopted names.
Staff recommendation: the process is complete and reflects both broad community input and appropriate cultural consultation.
A Community-Driven Process
~100
name nominations from
Fairfax residents
Fairfax Festival / Ecofest ·
Town Picnic · online
outreach through fall
2025
Dec 2, 2025
FOSC adopts a recommended slate of names
after an ad hoc committee narrows ~100 public
submissions.
Jan 12, 2026
Council forms a subcommittee — Mayor
Hellman and Vice Mayor Egger — to refine the
recommendations with FOSC and the
community.
Jan 30, 2026 Town submits a formal inquiry to the
Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria before
proceeding with any Indigenous place name.
Apr 28–30, 2026 FIGR Tribal Council recommends Liile Yomi; FOSC votes unanimously to adopt it as Liile
Yomi Way.
Liile Yomi — “The High Place”
Pronounced “lee-lay yo-me”
A respectful ask
FOSC's original placeholder,
“Miwok Way,” was forwarded
expressly subject to tribal
approval. The Town formally
requested a recommendation
from the Federated Indians of
Graton Rancheria.
The Tribe's own process
The FIGR Cultural Programs
Manager brought the inquiry
to the Tribal Council, which
engaged its Cultural Resources
Department and Sacred Sites
Protection Committee —
members of which knew the
site firsthand from the Town's
ribbon-cutting.
A name with meaning
The Tribal Council
recommended Liile Yomi, “the
high place,” for the property's
principal fire road. FOSC
adopted it unanimously as Liile
Yomi Way on April 30, 2026,
and FIGR has offered
continued help with signage.
*Every sign bearing the Liile Yomi name will be developed in consultation with FIGR on design, spelling, and pronunciation.
The Recommended Names
ENTIRE PROPERTY Fairfax Open Space Preserve
The Bright Side
Overlook Jessica's Spiral Redford Ridge
Marinda Perch Liile Yomi Way Marin Open Space
Trust (MOST) Trail
Where the Names Live
Jessica's Spiral — the spiral level near the center
of the preserve
Liile Yomi Way — the principal fire road,
entering from upper Marinda Drive
The Bright Side Overlook — the bench area on
the lower slope
Marin Open Space (MOST) Trail — the other
major maintained trail, along the southeastern
edge
Redford Ridge and Marinda Perch sign locations
will be finalized with FOSC.
Redford Ridge— the ridge at the top of property
Signage & Fiscal Impact
A coordinated signage program
• Identification signs for the preserve, its features, and its trails • Town park and open space rules signage
• Entrance sign at the Marinda Drive fire road
• Funding acknowledgements for Measure A and the California Coastal Conservancy
• A first-ever sign for adjacent Kite Hill
• FIGR consulted on design, spelling, and pronunciation for the Liile Yomi sign
~$500
new estimated signage cost —
durable metal signs via the
Marin County Sign Shop
No fiscal impact from adopting the
names themselves. Funds available
in FY 2026–27 (Measure A Parks or
Park Maintenance Supplies).
Special Thanks
This milestone belongs to the partners who made it possible.
Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
Our deep thanks to the Tribal Council, the Sacred
Sites Protection Committee, and the Cultural
Resources Department for the generous gift of the
name Liile Yomi — and for their continued
partnership on signage and beyond.
Fairfax Open Space Committee
Our sincere appreciation to FOSC for leading a truly
community-driven process — gathering ~100
nominations, hosting the conversation at town
events, and stewarding the recommendations
through every step to tonight's vote.
With thanks also to the Council subcommittee, Marin Open Space Trust, the California Coastal Conservancy, Measure A, and our community donors.
Recommended Action
1 Receive the report and final naming recommendations of FOSC, the Council subcommittee, and FIGR
2 Adopt the Resolution establishing the official names for the preserve, its features, and its trails
3 Direct staff to proceed with design, fabrication, and installation of signage consistent with the adopted names
Questions & discussion — Attachments: Property map (A) · FOSC recommendations (B) · Draft resolution (C)