Board to Receive Update on Muir Woods

Posted on December 27, 2021


For Immediate Release –

San Rafael, CA –

Sustainability presentation January 25 on National Monument improvements

 

Bridge in Muir Woods with visitors walking across it.
Although Muir Woods is managed by the National Parks Service, the County of Marin is responsible for aspects of transportation in that area and is working on behalf of residents affected by park traffic.

A progress update on parking reservations and traffic control measures associated with the Muir Woods National Monument will be given to the Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, January 25.

The public is encouraged to participate in the meeting, and this topic is expected to take place during the morning session. Details on how to attend the virtual session and to submit comments can be found online (view in Spanish).

The update will be provided by the National Parks Service (NPS) in partnership with the Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW). The County of Marin entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NPS in 2015 to help with the long-term sustainability of the Muir Woods National Monument, which is visited by over one million people annually. As a provision of the MOU, updates have been provided through public meetings twice per year. Additional details on the overall sustainability project can be found on NPS’ website.

The park is accessed via Muir Woods Road and Frank Valley Road, which are in the County’s road jurisdiction. DPW is responsible for aspects of transportation in that area and is working on behalf of residents affected by park traffic.

In January 2018, NPS implemented the parking reservation system that supports management of visitation to levels that meet park goals for safety, natural resource preservation, visitor experience, and public access. The reservation system provides a measure that will allow the park to work with visitors in advance of their arrival so that congestion, and its related impacts, can be minimized and the quality of the experience enhanced. Parking restrictions such as traffic barriers, wooden posts and no parking zones have been implemented along Frank Valley Road and Muir Woods Road. NPS has also enhanced the Muir Woods shuttle program to support access to the monument.

The benchmarks outlined in the MOU have been consistently achieved ahead of schedule. Based on public feedback and usage data, the impact of the reservation system has been effective at reducing congestion in and around the park and it has improved visitor experience while in the park. Additionally, it has reduced the adverse impacts to the Muir Woods and Redwood Creek watersheds that were identified prior to the implementation of the parking restrictions and reservation system.

NPS and the County of Marin are committed to a phased elimination of parking outside of the monument’s boundaries. The January 25 progress update will provide a detailed rundown of what has been accomplished since the last update in May 2021 and what the public can expect moving forward.

For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-6358 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail the Digital Access staff at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.

Contact:

Dan Dawson
Interim Transportation Planning & Traffic Division Manager
Public Works

3501 Civic Center Drive.
#304
San Rafael, CA 94903

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