____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.: _______________________________
Council Meeting: _______________________
Disposition: ___________________________
Agenda Item No: 6.a
Meeting Date: March 17, 2025
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Library and Recreation
Prepared by: Catherine Quffa,
Library & Recreation Director
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: UPDATE ON DRAFT TERRA LINDA PARK AND COMMUNITY CENTER
ENHANCEMENT PLAN
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION AND UPDATE ON DRAFT TERRA LINDA PARK AND COMMUNITY
CENTER ENHANCEMENT PLAN
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the update and provide feedback on the draft Terra Linda Park and Community Center Enhancement Plan.
BACKGROUND:
In 2021 and 2022, the City completed a comprehensive Citywide Parks and Recreation Master Planning (CPRMP) process. That process included an assessment of the existing parks and recreation facilities, an evaluation of the community’s recreational needs, and the development of a prioritized set of recommendations. One of the top priorities from the CPRMP was creating a master plan specifically for the Terra Linda Community Park.
The Terra Linda Community Park is located at 670 del Ganado Road and is the City’s only community park in Northern San Rafael (as defined by the City’s General Plan 2040 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Element). It comprises approximately 2.9 acres and includes a community center, playground, basketball court, lawn and pathways, parking lot, and an outdoor pool complex.
There will be increased housing development in the coming years, increasing the demand on the Terra Linda Community Park and providing a potential funding source for improvements. While the park is one of the primary recreational facilities in North San Rafael, its current size requires creativity and intentionality when planning for increased capacity.
On February 20, 2024, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with Gates + Associates to provide project management, data gathering and site evaluation, public engagement, and SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
ultimately, a final plan that includes funding strategies, a cost estimate, phasing strategy, and master plan document for the Terra Linda Park and Community Center.
The City launched the planning process in Spring 2024 with an assessment of the existing conditions.
The project team simultaneously launched the first round of community engagement, which included an online survey, pop-up events, and community meetings. The first round of community engagement sought to understand what the community values most in the current facility and what improvements they would like to see. Through the outreach process, the community shared that the Terra Linda Park and Community Center are valued public resources that would benefit from a variety of enhancements to encourage social gathering, learning, and play. Play areas, picnic areas, natural features, and recreation activities/programs were aspects of the site that the community wanted to see upgraded or expanded.
The community also emphasized the need for a park and community center that are flexible, comfortable, and safe while encouraging play, social gatherings, and appreciation for nature.
Based on the community feedback, the project team developed three concepts for the park and community center. Those concepts are included in Attachment 1. In September and October 2024, these concepts were shared with the community through an online survey, community meetings, and the Movie in the Park event at Terra Linda Park. The feedback on the different concepts was incorporated into a proposed preferred site design, which is included in Attachment 2.
ANALYSIS:
The preferred site design will be the foundational element of the Terra Linda Park and Community Center Enhancement Plan. The proposed design is based on the community’s favorite concept while also incorporating popular elements from the other concepts to develop a cohesive plan that meets diverse community needs. The overall goal of the design is to enhance recreational opportunities and strengthen community ties, making it a vital asset for the future of San Rafael.
The design features an expanded playground, which was the top community priority throughout the rounds of community engagement. It also proposes a generous, reservable picnic area, and several smaller picnic spots are strategically placed around the playground’s perimeter to encourage social activity. The park’s northern section features a spacious lawn that complements the playground, providing a space for families and friends to gather and relax.
The proposal replaces the existing 1960s community center with an expanded, state-of-the-art two-story building. The first floor includes versatile meeting rooms, creative spaces for ceramics and arts, modern fitness and enrichment areas, and administrative offices. An optional second floor features a library to create a hub for learning and connection. Outdoor access is designed to enhance the community center experience, with a flexible community room for events that opens into a large gathering plaza and a dedicated fine arts and ceramics room leading to a ceramic's courtyard.
An entry plaza and promenade with public art, comfortable seating walls, and a grove of trees is intended to create a more inviting entryway to welcome visitors and connect Del Ganado Road to the heart of the park. Adjacent to the community center, a new half-basketball court with a single hoop integrates into the plaza, promoting physical activity and social interaction.
In addition to the preferred site design, the project team has developed a draft phasing plan, which is included in Attachment 1. The intent of the phasing plan is to provide the City with options for implementing portions of the preferred concept as funding and capacity allow. The phasing plan has been designed so that the phases can be implemented in any order. It includes three different phases (blue, SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
purple, and yellow) for the proposed park improvements, as well as a building phase for the community center.
The yellow phase contains the most significant park improvements, including expanding the playground, developing a new reservable picnic area, and improving the landscaping, lawn, and north entrance to the park. The purple phase, which includes the plaza, promenade, and half basketball court, is intended to be completed concurrently with the building phase. The blue phase includes improvements to the northeast corner of the park, which is currently underutilized and underdeveloped.
On February 13, 2025, the preferred site design and phasing plan were presented to the Park & Recreation Commission, which was well attended by the community. Overall, Commissioners and community members shared excitement about the preferred design and the future of the site. Feedback included an emphasis on the importance of planning for the popular ceramics program, a desire for the facility to serve as a resilience/emergency resource, and questions about how a two-story building could be designed to match the aesthetic and feel of the neighborhood.
The project team is seeking feedback from the Council on the design, which will be incorporated into the final enhancement plan with cost estimates, funding strategies, and environmental review. Note that the implementation of this plan is contingent upon the City’s ability to identify and secure the required funding.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The planning process for the Terra Linda Park and Community Center Enhancement Plan included two rounds of community engagement, as well as public review through the Park & Recreation Commission.
The first round of community engagement reached over 400 participants through an online survey, two pop-up events at Terra Linda Park and Ounces Outdoors, an in-person community meeting at the Terra Linda Community Center, and a virtual community meeting. Community engagement opportunities were promoted through a postcard mailer that was sent to more than 3,000 residences, online e-blasts utilizing the recreation and City email lists, targeted emails to North San Rafael neighborhood associations and community groups, social media posts, and posters at the park, community center, and surrounding businesses.
The second round of community engagement also reached over 400 people through an online survey, a Movie in the Park event at Terra Linda Park, an in-person community meeting at Terra Linda Community Center, and a virtual community meeting. These activities were similarly promoted through online e-blasts utilizing the recreation and City email lists, targeted emails to North San Rafael neighborhood associations and community groups, social media posts, and posters at the park, community center, and surrounding businesses.
Updates on the planning process were presented during publicly noticed meetings of the Park & Recreation Commission on October 17, 2024, and on February 13, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with accepting this informational report. The final Terra Linda Park and Community Center Enhancement Plan will include further information on estimated costs and funding options.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1. Accept the report.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4
2. Direct staff to return with more information.
3. Take no action.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the update and provide feedback on the draft Terra Linda Park and Community Center Enhancement Plan.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Terra Linda Park and Community Center Enhancement Plan Preliminary Design Alternatives
2. Draft Terra Linda Park and Community Center Enhancement Plan Preferred Site Design and Phasing Plan
Concept A
This concept includes:
A new, single-story community center building on the site of the existing building consisting of the same size and shape with indoor/outdoor access. This building option features:
Dividable meeting space with kitchen area
Small conference room
Visual and fine arts space
Administrative/support space
Restrooms
T-shaped lobby area
Expanded playground to the east of the existing playground location Expanded, L-shaped lawn in the northeast corner of the site A gathering plaza next to the community center replacing the existing basketball court, includes shade element and area for outdoor games (e.g., cornhole) A half-basketball court (one hoop) adjacent to the gathering space and community center building
A large, reservable picnic area adjacent to the gathering plaza and half-basketball court Picnic tables located in several areas around the perimeter of the playground A centralized node to connect the various park areas and the pool and provide orientation within the park for visitors
Existing park entries remain
Preliminary Design Alternatives
Concept B
This concept includes:
A new, single-story community center building at the southwest corner of the site of the existing building, expanded size includes 2,000-4,000 additional square feet and indoor/ outdoor access. This building option features:
Dividable meeting space with separate kitchen and conference areas Visual and fine arts space with adjacent exterior art area Health and fitness space
Space for enrichment programs
Covered walkway adjacent to outdoor gathering area
Administrative/support space
Restrooms
Rectangular-shaped lobby area
Expanded playground at the existing playground location Large, T-shaped lawn in the northeast area of the site near the pool, playground, and picnic area Picnic tables located in several areas around the perimeter of the playground A large, reservable picnic area centralized between the pool, playground, and lawn area A large gathering plaza next to the community center replacing the existing basketball court, includes shade element and area for outdoor games (e.g., cornhole) A centralized node to connect the various park areas and the pool and provide orientation within the park for visitors
A new entry plaza opens to the center of the park from Del Ganado Road Concept C
This concept includes:
A new, two-story community center and library building at the southwest corner of the site of the existing building, expanded size includes 6,000-8,000 additional square feet and indoor/ outdoor access. This building option features:
Upper level for library services
Dividable meeting space with separate kitchen and conference areas Visual and fine arts space with adjacent exterior art area Health and fitness space
Space for enrichment programs
Covered walkway adjacent to outdoor gathering area
Administrative/support space
Restrooms
L-shaped lobby area
Expanded playground to the east of the existing playground location Expanded, rectangular lawn in the northeast corner of the site Picnic tables located in several areas around the perimeter of the playground A large, reservable picnic area at the site of the existing playground A large gathering plaza next to the community center replacing the existing basketball court, includes a row of trees, a shade element, and an area for outdoor games (e.g., cornhole) A half-basketball court (one hoop) adjacent to the gathering space and community center building
A centralized node to connect the various park areas and the pool and provide orientation within the park for visitors
A new entry plaza and promenade connects Del Ganado Road to the center of the park, includes a grove of trees welcoming visitors to the site
TERRA LINDA PARK AND COMMUNITY CENTER ENHANCEMENT PLAN SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA MARCH 2025
DRAFT PREFERRED CONCEPT PLAN
0 15’ 30’ 60’
DEL GANADO RD
WOODBINE DR
LAS RAPOSAS RD
WAKEROBIN LN
11,500 SF
COMMUNITY
CENTER
(E) PARKING
(E) PARKING
(E) BUILDING
1 10 11
2 3
12 6
9 8
8 5
7 7
7 4
4 9 7
1 7
2 8
6 3 9
4 10
5 11
12 Open plaza
Art monument
Ceramics courtyard
Lawn
Playground
Half basketball court
Existing tree to remain
Picnic area
Seat wall
Retaining wall
Stairs
Ramp
Trash/compost bins
10 11
Expanded Entry
Residential Entry
New tree
TERRA LINDA PARK AND COMMUNITY CENTER ENHANCEMENT PLAN SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA MARCH 2025
DRAFT BUILDING LAYOUT CONCEPT PLAN
COMMUNITY
ROOM
FINE ARTS +
CERAMICS
ROOM
HEALTH +
FITNESS
ENRICHMENT
CLASSROOM
STOR STAFF
RR
RR
STOR.
STOR.
STOR.
KIT. CONF.
SUPP.
GLAZE + KILN
LOBBY
Pedestrian Access
PROGRAM
ROOM
LIBRARY
STOR.
STAFF
RR
STUDY
GROUP
STOR.
OPTIONAL
SECOND FLOOR
TERRA LINDA PARK AND COMMUNITY CENTER ENHANCEMENT PLAN SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA MARCH 2025
DRAFT EXISTING VS. PROPOSED SQFT
0 15’ 30’ 60’
DEL GANADO RD DEL GANADO RD
WOODBINE DR WOODBINE DR
WAKEROBIN LNWAKEROBIN LN
(N) 11,500 SF
COMMUNITY
CENTER
(E) COMMUNITY
CENTER
(E) PARKING(E) PARKING
(E) PARKING(E) PARKING
(E) BUILDING(E) BUILDING
Existing (SF) Proposed (SF) % of Existing
Lawn 9,744 8,912 91%
Play 3,353 5,818 174%
Basketball 4,222 1,567 37%
Open Area / Plaza 11,180 11,405 102%
EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS PROPOSED SITE CONDITIONS
Existing (SF) Proposed (SF) % of Existing
Building 5,552 11,500 207%
TERRA LINDA PARK AND COMMUNITY CENTER ENHANCEMENT PLAN SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA MARCH 2025
DRAFT PHASING PLAN
0 15’ 30’ 60’
DEL GANADO RD
WOODBINE DR
LAS RAPOSAS RD
WAKEROBIN LN (E) PARKING
(E) PARKING
(E) BUILDING
Yellow
Phase
Purple Phase
Blue
Phase
Blue Phase
Yellow Phase
Purple Phase
Building Phase
11,500 SF
COMMUNITY
CENTER
Building
Phase