McNears Master Plan

In 2015, Marin County Parks teamed with the Office of Carol Barton to develop a plan for McNears Beach Park. The resulting Master Plan gathered recommendations for updating this beloved bayside park, which has remained mostly unchanged since the 1970s. The plan was based on five guiding principles:

• Protect the park's character
• Provide a universal experience
• Improve connectivity
• Financial sustainability
• Ecological sustainability

Continual dialogue with the public guided the master planning process. Core stakeholders, park users, staff, local community members, and potential program partners shared input that helped to shape the landscape architect team’s understanding of the special character of the park, its needs, and the potential for future opportunities.

The plan for the 74-acre park include restoration of the pier and seawall; a boardwalk; concession; kayak rentals; pavilions and shade structures; additional picnic areas; and native gardens. For more details, read the plan document:

• McNears Beach Park Master Plan

The Master Plan for McNears Beach Park was approved in May 2017 by the County Board of Supervisors. There are no immediate plans to fund the plan's recommended projects, which can roll out incrementally over time as funding sources, including federal and state grants, are identified.

Public participation played a critical role in shaping the Master Plan. Input received from focus groups, surveys, and open house workshops helped detail the kinds of facilities and recreational opportunities the community wants and needs.

A range of organizations and community groups offered valuable insights throughout the process, including:

• BCDC
• Canal Alliance
• City of San Rafael Community Services
• City of San Rafael Planning
• Coastal Conservancy
• Friends of China Camp State Parks
• Healthy Parks, Healthy People Bay Area)
• LIFT-Levante
• San Rafael School District
• YMCA

In addition, the general public participated in a survey that was offered online and in-person at Parks events.

Two community workshops also gathered insights. The first community workshop was held on February 23, 2015 at the San Rafael Community Center. The second community workshop was held at the park on April 19, 2015.

The proposed Master Plan for McNears Beach Park is a comprehensive long-term planning document guiding the future development of park facilities, improvements and programs. The Master Plan provides recommendations for general infrastructure, and circulation improvements to singular design elements. Overall, the Master Plan aims to protect natural, cultural, and recreational amenities that currently exist within the park while proposing new complementary features and programs. Specific improvements would be constructed incrementally over the life span of the Master Plan.

A public comment period on the draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the McNears Beach Park Master Plan took place between February 6, 2017 and March 7, 2017.  

The IS/MND evaluated the environmental effects of the Master Plan. The report described the project and its setting and evaluated it for potential impacts on environmental resources, including biology, air and water quality, cultural resources, and other resource areas. The report identified mitigation measures to address potential impacts. With these mitigation measures, the project would not result in significant impacts on the environment.  

• Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration pdf
• Appendix A: Master Plan pdf
• Appendices B, C and D pdf
• Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program pdf
• Notice of Availability pdf

The County Board of Supervisors approved the IS/MND for the McNears Master Plan in May 2017. Further environmental analysis will likely be required under the California Environmental Quality Act before work on any specific project takes place. Approval from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission would also be required for any work within 100 feet of the shoreline.