Region 1 Designation

After careful evaluation of public comments, the Marin County Open Space District approved the Region 1 proposed conditional designation maps in spring 2015.

The Region 1 Designation Map shows designated roads and trails for Region 1: Alto Bowl, Baltimore Canyon, Blithedale Summit, Camino Alto, Horse Hill, and King Mountain Preserves.

The Region 1 Use Map shows designated use for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians on roads and trails in Region 1 preserves.

Region 1 is located in the southeastern portion of Marin County. This region consists of six open space preserves totaling approximately 1,197 acres. It includes Alto Bowl, Baltimore Canyon, Blithedale Summit, Camino Alto, Horse Hill, and King Mountain Preserves. The largest preserves are Blithedale Summit (640 acres), Baltimore Canyon (193 acres), and Camino Alto (170 acres). Region 1 contains approximately 34 miles of roads and trails.

This region is near Mount Tamalpais State Park, with the public lands of Golden Gate National Recreation Area to the west. Public lands and private residences within Homestead Valley are located to the south. Piper Park, U.S. Highway 101, and residential areas are located to the east. Hal Brown Park, the College of Marin, and residences are located to the north. Adjacent land uses within 1/4 mile of the MCOSD roads and trails within region 1 include residential use (1,491 acres, or 66.5% of adjacent acreage), other open space (412 acres, or 18.3%), public or quasi-public use (286 acres, or 12.7%), and commercial/mixed uses (53 acres, or 2.3%).

The Region 1 Designation public workshop was held on March 22, 2015. 

• Region 1 Workshop Presentation pdf

This project was funded by Parks Measure A.

Proposed road and trail project list:

• Public Proposals List pdf

The public may participate in identifying potential road and trail projects. New project proposals must be submitted on this form:

• Road and Trail Management Plan Project Proposal Form pdf

Individuals, organizations, trail user groups, and others interested in submitting a proposal should read the Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP):

• Road and Trail Management Plan pdf

Road and trail projects proposed by the public are screened and evaluated based on these primary objectives of the RTMP:

• Reduct the environmental impacts associated with the road and trail network.
• Enhance visitor experience and safety for all users.
• Establish and maintain a sustainable system of roads and trails.

Decision making is conducted in a transparent and collaborative manner, subject to the laws, policies, and goals outlined in the RTMP. RTMP chapter 5 describes the decision-making process the MCOSD uses to determine designation, management, and maintenance of the road and trail system.

In general, Parks staff review all public proposals for completeness. When a proposal is complete it then becomes part of the annual progressive screening and evaluation of all road and trail projects. The highest priority road and trail projects that emerge must then complete for approval and funding in the MCOSD and Measure A budget development processes for the coming fiscal year.