Marin County has taken a step towards 'promoting equity and inclusivity' by making admission to all their parks free, starting July 1. The decision, which did away with the last remaining admission fee, has been met with praise from county officials who believe it will encourage more diverse visitors to their parks and foster a conversation about equity that is much needed in the county according to Marin Independent Journal (IJ).
The county parks impacted by the change include McNears Beach Park in San Rafael, Paradise Beach Park in Tiburon, Stafford Lake Park in Novato, the Miller Boat Launch on Tomales Bay, and the Black Point Boat Launch on the Petaluma River. These parks previously charged a $5 parking fee per vehicle, but now, families will be able to enjoy the parks without having to worry about the financial strain of admission fees, making the parks more accessible to all the county's residents via Marin Mommies.
While the parks department estimates that eliminating the admission and parking fees will cost over $397,000 in revenue, most of the lost revenue is expected to be recouped through the tax proceeds from Measure A, a quarter-cent sales tax that generates about $16 million annually to help fund county parks and open space, Marin’s municipal parks, agricultural easements, and a grant program for sustainable agricultural uses including community gardens as reported by The IJ. Additionally, simultaneous modest increases in fees for large group sites are anticipated to generate approximately $89,000 a year, and about $14,000 a year will be saved as the county no longer has to pay a vendor to collect parking fees as noted by PublicCEO.
Originally, the county Parks Commission had recommended a plan that involved larger increases in fees for large group sites to help cover the lost revenue and avoid the use of Measure A tax revenue. However, some commissioners expressed skepticism about the plan, noting concerns about the impact on the parks' maintenance budget and questioning the fairness of the idea. When the matter was presented to the supervisors, the plan was altered and Measure A was ultimately util.lex to support the fee elimination.
The idea of making park admission free at these parks originated from the Marin County Parks Equity Roundtable, whose members represent communities of color. One member, Aaron Burnett, director of policy and civic engagement at Canal Alliance, said, "Eliminating entrance fees is an important way for communities we represent to have more access to nature, which is so important for health, well-being, and community connection." This move towards equity in park access aligns with similar previous actions taken by the county, like the elimination of admission fees for pedestrians and cyclists in 2015, and the reduction and elimination of various fees at the same parks in 2019.
With the removal of entry fees, Marin County's previously fee-charging parks now join the county's open space preserves and beaches that have always been free for visitors. The hope is that more residents, particularly from lower-income backgrounds, will find it easier to access and enjoy these beautiful spaces, promoting increased well-being and connection to nature for everyone in the area. The parks are now available for family outings, picnics, gatherings, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and many other outdoor activities all without the burden of admission fees, reflecting a significant move towards a more inclusive and equitable county.
