-----Original Message-----
From: Claire Taylor
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 3:56 AM
To: Grey Melgard <[email protected]>
Subject: Starkweather Project
Ridiculously conceived and designed with no thought on impact or consequences.
Claire Taylor
Sent from my iPhone
Please torgive fypos.
From: Dennis Papendick
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2026 5:05 PM
To: Grey Melgard <[email protected]>
Subject: Lighting along the Starkweather Park Trail
Dear Mr. Melgard,
I live at From the north side of the house, a 3-unit building, we can see directly along the trail from about Catalina Avenue to the small beach where the trail branches off to Target and the Rod & Gun Club. I fully support the proposed lighting, which will add to the hours the residents of the Canal area, as well as Spinnaker Point and Bayport Lagoons.
Any project that allows for more use of the trail will make it easier for families to get outdoors and have some exercise. I drive along Canal street to East Francisco Boulevard often, so I see how the apartments and some houses are cramped, with no place for the residents to get outdoors.
Sincerely,
Dennis Papendick
Cell:
From: Jeffrey Finn
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2026 10:43 AM
To: Mayor Kate <[email protected]>; Maika Llorens Gulati <[email protected]>; Eli Hill <[email protected]>; Maribeth Bushey <[email protected]>; Rachel Kertz <[email protected]>; Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]>; Paul Navazio <[email protected]>; April Miller <[email protected]>; Craig Veramay <[email protected]>; Greg Minor <[email protected]>; Grey Melgard <[email protected]>; publicart <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Kristie Hubacker <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Community Development <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; Dave Allen <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Adrian Rodriguez <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Cameron Macdonald <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Opposition to Lighting and to the Peoples of the Canal Art Project Public Comment – Opposition to Lighting and to the Peoples of the Canal Art Project I am submitting this comment for the record to state my opposition to both the installation of any lighting and to the overall Peoples of the Canal art project as currently proposed for the Starkweather Path.
The Starkweather Path is officially posted sunrise to sunset, and that policy reflects the narrow width of the trail, the sensitive shoreline habitat, and the long-standing understanding that this is not a 24-hour corridor. Any lighting—whether part of this project or added later—would effectively convert the path into a round-the-clock facility, which is unsafe and incompatible with the physical constraints of the trail. The pavement already contains multiple trip hazards from years of deferred maintenance, and expanding hours without addressing basic safety would increase the risk of injury.
Even if lighting were ever considered, it would need to be limited to wildlife-friendly red-spectrum illumination, because standard lighting disrupts nocturnal species that rely on this shoreline. The Starkweather corridor is one of the few remaining dark, quiet stretches of habitat in the Canal area, and preserving that ecological function should be a priority.
I also oppose the art project itself. The path simply does not have the physical room for additional installations without further narrowing an already constrained corridor. The City has not maintained the existing amenities—most notably the PAR course stations, which were allowed to deteriorate and disappear through neglect rather than public process.
Before adding new infrastructure, the City should restore and maintain what was originally designed for this park.
Finally, this project represents an overreach by the Pickleweed Community Center and its advisory structures, which appear to be extending their influence into public shoreline space that serves the entire city, not just one neighborhood or stakeholder group. Public space should not be repurposed or symbolically claimed by any single organization.
For these reasons, I oppose any lighting and I oppose the Peoples of the Canal art project in its current form. I urge the city to prioritize maintenance, safety, ecological protection, and the original recreational design of the Starkweather Path.
Sincerely
Jeffrey Finn
From: roberta hoffman
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2026 9:37 PM
To: Mayor Kate <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Miwok History Project
RE: the Miwok History project
This project as proposed will span a 2 mile area, a 4 mile round trip walk for adults and children. Is there zoning for a toilet along the path? That is perhaps a reason to locate the art project at Pickleweed.
Roberta Hoffman,
San Rafael
On Feb 27, 2026, at 5:26 PM, roberta hoffman wrote:
Subject: Supporting the monument, Opposing the Location Dear Kate Colin and City Council Members,
My name is Roberta Hoffman and I am a resident of Baypoint Lagoons HOA who deeply values Starkweather Path for something increasingly rare in our region: unobstructed, open views of the Bay and surrounding marshland.
I want to be clear that I support the intent and artistic vision of the People of the Canal project and the goal of honoring Miwok history. My concern is not with the story being told, but with the proposed location along Starkweather Path. I believe there are more appropriate venues where this important history can be shared without permanently altering the character of Starkweather Path.
Starkweather Path is cherished precisely because it remains a quiet, natural corridor. It is a place to connect with the Bay, observe wildlife, and enjoy uninterrupted views. The installation of 22 placards and a large sculpture would fundamentally change this experience, shifting the path from a nature refuge to an outdoor gallery.
I respectfully encourage the city to consider alternative locations that could honor the same history while preserving what makes Starkweather Path special, such as:
• Placing the installation at end of the Bay Trail (beach near the Gun & Rod Club to picnic area by Target) • Integrating the exhibit within the Pickleweed Community Center campus • Placing exhibit at History Museum in San Rafael
• Placing the installation at Olompali State Park
These locations would allow the story to be shared in settings that are more accessible, appropriate for gathering and reflection, and better supported by nearby parking and all while protecting the unique and peaceful nature of Starkweather Path. The Spinnaker and Baypoint Lagoons areas have precious little parking for residents. Placing the monuments at Pickleweed where there is more parking would serve residents as well as visitors. Placing the monuments at Pickleweed makes them more accessible to the community that utilizes Pickleweed as well as visitors because there is more parking at Pickleweed.
Exercise stations were placed along the path 20+ years ago and they were vandalized and basically disappeared in less than 5 years. There is no budgeted police presence or maintenance in the proposal and the installation would likely suffer the same fate.
I respectfully ask that the city reject the proposal in its current location and stand with the residents who are most directly impacted by this decision. Thank you for your time, thoughtful consideration, and openness to community input.
Sincerely,
Roberta Hoffman
San Rafael, CA 94901
-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Carroll
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 8:48 AM
To: Mayor Kate <[email protected]>; Maika Llorens Gulati <[email protected]>; Eli Hill <[email protected]>; Maribeth Bushey <[email protected]>; Rachel Kertz <[email protected]>; Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]>; Paul Navazio <[email protected]>; April Miller <[email protected]>; Craig Veramay <[email protected]>; Greg Minor <[email protected]>; Grey Melgard <[email protected]> Subject: Preserving Open Views Along Starkweather Path
Dear City Officials,
I am a Spinnaker Point resident who has lived here for 38 years, who treasures Starkweather Path for something increasingly rare in our region: unobstructed, open views of the Bay and marshland.
I'm writing to express concern about the proposed installation of 22 permanent placards and a large steel sculpture along this 2-mile corridor, in particular how it will impact the Starkweather Park. While I respect the artistic and cultural intent behind the "Peoples of the Canal" project, I believe this proposal would fundamentally change the character of this natural bay trail.
What makes Starkweather Path special is precisely its openness: the long sightlines, the uncluttered horizon, the sense of peace that comes from being surrounded by nature rather than infrastructure.
Installing signage every 0.1 miles would transform a contemplative nature walk into something closer to an outdoor exhibit hall. Placing lighting along a path that is closed at sunset makes no sense. I fear we have more crime, and not less.
Over 132 square feet of permanent signage and lighting poles is not a subtle addition. It's a fundamental change to the visual experience of this space. Public signage is vulnerable to graffiti, corrosion, and weather damage, with no clearly defined, funded plan for ongoing upkeep of 22 separate installations.
I'm not opposed to public art or community storytelling. But I believe a project of this scale and permanence deserves a more inclusive process, one that genuinely incorporates feedback from the people who use and care for this space every day and love the path as it is.
I respectfully request that the city reject both proposals in their current form and stand with the residents who are directly impacted by these decisions.
Sincerely,
Tim Carroll