Creekside Restoration

Invasive Harding grass had come to dominate the upland habitat between Creekside Marsh and the scenic overlook at Hal Brown Park. For ten years, Parks staff and volunteers have worked to remove the non-native plants and re-introduce native vegetation to the area, providing habitat for endangered species like the Ridgeway's rail.

The project also included a culvert replacement installed in coordination with Marin County Department of Public Works, to improve tide flows and control flooding.

Small groups of regular volunteers have continued to support this project during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place, following public health guidelines.

Join the community-based effort to install a diverse palette of native plants at a site once dominated by non-native grasses and weeds. A large number of individuals, organizations, and community groups have supported the Creekside Restoration over the years.

Supporters and community partners include:

• One Tam
• Save the Bay
• Point Blue
• Friends of Corte Madera Creek Watershed
• Invasive Spartina Project
• STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed)
• Kentfield Planning Advisory Board
• Marin County Department of Public Works
• Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District

Check the calendar for Creekside volunteer events.

• Eradicate invasive weeds and re-introduce native plants.
• Restore habitat for endangered shorebirds like the Ridgeway's rail.
• Maintain the beauty of the Corte Madera Creek shoreline.
• Improve drainage to reduce flooding and improve tidal flow.

• Manual invasive weed eradication, by hand pulling and sheet mulching.
• Diverse palette of native plants.
• 60-inch culvert upstream of the Bon Air Bridge replaced with three 60-inch culverts, to increase tidal prism in Corte Madera Creek.
  
   

Culvert construction was partially funded by a grant of $249,370 secured by the Friends of Corte Madera Creek Watershed from the state Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).

• 2008–09: Creekside Park renovation master plan developed.
• 2011: Creekside Park renovation grand opening.
• Summer 2012: Memorandum of understanding in support of a wetland restoration project at Creekside.
• Summer 2013–present: Volunteer restoration, replanting, and maintenance.
• 2016–17: Culvert replacement.
• 2018 and beyond: Ongoing monitoring and maintenance