The Old Saint Hilary's Open Space Preserve, a gem on the Tiburon Peninsula, has nearly doubled in size following the acquisition of the adjacent Easton Point property. This 110-acre parcel, long coveted by local conservationists, was secured with a $42.1 million price tag in a deal finalized on August 29. The expansion combines Easton Point's hills, once slated for mega-mansion development, with the existing 122-acre preserve, offering stunning views over San Francisco Bay. A celebration for locals and nature lovers is planned for October 26, according to the County of Marin.
The land's preservation results from a decades-long struggle to protect this last great urban open space. For over a century, the same family owned the land, resisting development proposals. In June 2022, the Marin County Open Space District entered a purchase agreement contingent on a two-year fundraising effort led by the Trust for Public Land. This effort culminated in an overwhelming 78.8% of Tiburon Peninsula Open Space District voters passing Measure M, a $23 million bond measure designed to secure the land and prevent development.
The purchase was a community effort. Measure M bonds contributed $20.76 million, earlier bond proceeds added $2.42 million, and $6 million came from Measure A's quarter-cent tax. Additional funding came from the California Wildlife Conservation Board ($5.5 million), private donations ($3.295 million), and other agencies, creating a collaborative financial effort that brought this conservation dream to fruition.
