To better connect the Canal community to the rest of the city, San Rafael was recently awarded a grant from the county to help buy a 1.65-acre boatyard on the south side of the canal and convert it into a public park.
Last week, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a $1.35 million grant toward the purchase of a 1.65-acre boatyard at 620 Canal Street.
Canal Boatyard Park will provide the historically underserved Latino community a connection to nature, opportunities for recreation and a safer route to school and work.
The park may eventually serve as the anchor for a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the canal, allowing passage to commercial Montecito Plaza and San Rafael High School. Existing conditions force pedestrians to cross the canal on East Francisco Drive, which is less safe.
The total purchase price for the boat yard land is $3.35 million. The new grant was sourced from Marin County’s Measure A, a quarter-cent sales tax approved in 2022 to support parks and open space. The city of San Rafael has pitched in $500,000 from its own fund. The nonprofit Trust for Public Land is working with the city and other partners to raise the remaining funds.
“Acquiring this key waterfront property is more than a contribution to a land purchase — it’s a step toward … creating a more connected and vibrant community.” Chris Chamberlain, Marin County Parks director
Following the land acquisition, the park’s design will be planned based on a multi-year community engagement conducted by the Canal Alliance, a nonprofit that serves the needs of the low-income neighborhood.
“Acquiring this key waterfront property is more than a contribution to a land purchase — it’s a step toward addressing long-standing inequities, enhancing health and economic outcomes, and creating a more connected and vibrant community,” Marin County Parks director Chris Chamberlain said in an online statement.
