Niven Park Improvement Project

Park overview small

CURRENT UPDATE (October 2021)

A scope of work for the project has been roughed out.  Based on community input, the areas of Niven Park that will be upgraded are:

  • Landscaping area at the park entrance 
  • Picnic area on Drakes Landing Road
  • Playground - new equipment and small enlargement
  • Park-wide upgrades to lighting, benches, and drinking fountains

PUBLIC OUTREACH - ROUND 3

A project update is available for online viewing. It is in the form of an on-line survey to allow for follow up questions to residents. Click the link above or the image below to be taken to the survey.

Website 2021 Niven Update graphic Opens in new window


FUNDING

This project is primarily funded by the County of Marin Open Space District's Measure A grant monies. 

Additional funding has been received from:

  • Larkspur Community Foundation
  • Private family (anonymous)
  • State of California CalRecycle program

PROJECT MANAGER

For more information about this project, please contact project manager:

Rita Schoch, Larkspur Public Works, 415-927-5784, rschoch@cityoflarkspur.org.

PROJECT HISTORY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Improvements for Niven Park were identified in the 2015 Mini-Parks Action Plan.  Area of improvements included mandatory accessibility and safety code compliance upgrades needed as well as discretionary aesthetic and usability improvements. 

In February 2020, City staff conducted two community meetings, inviting residents from the neighborhood adjacent to Niven Park as well as members of the general public. 

Approximately 60 people attended the meetings. City staff encouraged a two-way discussion to solicit community feedback about what upgrades were and weren't desired at Niven Park. 

The feedback from these in-person meetings formed the basis of a follow-up online survey, the results of which was used to develop the Preliminary Concept Design.

Niven Park Project - invite to community meeting

PUBLIC OUTREACH - ROUND 1 (Feb 2020)

Two community meetings were held as information gathering sessions.  Concepts and ideas were presented by City staff,, then the public was given an opportunity to comment and provide feedback. In attendance were:

  • Residents from Cape Marin and Drakes Landing Circle invited via email and by postcards sent by USPS. 
  • Park users invited by noticing posted throughout the park.
  • General public by notices posted at the three designated City community boards.
invite-survey-zone B FRONT

PUBLIC OUTREACH - ROUND 2 (April - June 2020)

Based on the feedback from the community meetings, City staff created an on-line survey and invitations to participate were sent to the same list from the first round of public outreach. Staff posed a series various park upgrade scenarios and asked survey takers to rank their desire to see these improvements made.  The results were then used to develop a preliminary scope of work and design concept.