San Anselmo Open Space

10/05/2026

October 10th History Walk'n'Talk on Red Hill
Sponsored by the San Anselmo Open Space Committee

Everybody sees Red Hill every day, looming over the Hub, but have you ever checked out the views from the top? For the last seventy years Red Hill was overgrown and nearly inaccessible. In 2018, the San Anselmo Open Space Committee built an easy trail to the top, re-opening access to the historic spot.

Come climb the hill with local historian, author, and lecturer Brian Crawford, a volunteer with the San Anselmo Open Space committee, who created the new trail. Learn the history of Red Hill from its origin as a Jurassic submarine volcano to its use as a property corner for three huge Mexican land grants. Hear about "Dubois' Folly," the old dirt road up the hill and why it was only used once. Learn about the hotel and tramway that was planned for the top. View historic photographs. And, finally, once at the summit, enjoy the views of the Ross Valley from Fairfax to Ross and across San Rafael to Mount Diablo. It's a perfect spot for a picnic afterwards.

What: The trail is one and a half miles round trip, with 400 feet of elevation gain. The grade is generally gentle and suitable for moderately fit adults and children. Strollers are possible but would be challenging. Dogs are permitted off leash if they are under voice control. Rain will cancel the event.

When: 10 AM, Saturday, October 10, 2026. We should be done between noon and 1 PM.

Where: At the trailhead behind Westamerica Bank, 834 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, in Red Hill Shopping Center, San Anselmo. Park in the shopping center parking lot or the lot for Red Hill Dog Park at the end of Shaw Drive.

Bring: Clothes, shoes, and a hat suitable for hiking. Bring water. Layers if it's cool. Lunch if you want to picnic.

The event is free.

07/30/2026

MARIN TOWNS COULD LOSE FUNDING FOR PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
In 2012, Marin County voters approved Measure A, imposing a ten-year 0.25% sales tax to provide funding for our parks and open spaces. The measure was very popular (74% voter approval) and numerous acquisitions and maintenance projects were accomplished. When the tax was up for renewal in 2022, the voters again overwhelmingly (75%) voted to renew it for another nine years.
The money collected is distributed as follows: 65% to Marin County Parks to maintain existing parks and open space, reduce wildfire, and acquire new preserves; 20% to support sustainable agriculture; and the remaining 15% is distributed to the towns to be used for their parks and open space.
San Anselmo received about $113,000 this year from Measure A. 65% of that goes to the Parks Department to maintain the parks and services. The remaining 35% (around $40,000 this year) goes to the San Anselmo Open Space Committee for the acquisition and maintenance of open space preserves.
Marin County Parks has faced major funding cuts and rising expenses. The Grand Jury investigated Measure A and recommended eliminating the funding for sustainable agriculture and making that a separate tax to be voted on independently. But they also recommended eliminating the guaranteed allocation to Marin’s cities, towns, and unincorporated communities. Marin County Parks, not the voters, would determine what funds are distributed to the towns, if any.
This recommendation, if adopted, would be devastating to the towns and unincorporated communities of the county. San Anselmo’s parks would lose a major part of their funding. Aside from private donations, San Anselmo Open Space receives no other funding than Measure A. Reallocating funding would make it much more difficult for us to acquire threatened open space.
Many of us worked on the two campaigns for Measure A, partly because it guaranteed that some of the funds would go to support local parks and open space, which receive no other governmental support. The voters consistently supported funding of local parks, but these changes would potentially eliminate this funding. While we support our colleagues at Marin County Parks, we don’t feel that they should have absolute authority to determine funding for all the other local entities working hard to protect open space.
The Board of Supervisors will decide whether to make this change. Since the wording of Measure A specifically states how the money is to be divided, we believe it will have to go to another public election to change the law. The public comment period ends on August 12th, 2026. Please write to the Board of Supervisors before that time to express your opinion.
Grand jury report:

GJ 2025-26 Report: Measure A and Voter Choice: Rethinking Parks and Agriculture Funding in Marin

04/24/2026

Faudé Park Walk’n’talk on May 9th
The San Anselmo Open Space Committee is sponsoring a series of walk’n’talks to introduce people to our open space preserves. The next event in the series is C. Fredrick Faudé Park, a 16-acre hilltop park just across Drake from Archie Williams High School. Acquired by the Town of San Anselmo in 1973 and maintained by the San Anselmo Open Space Committee, the park is little known even to longtime residents. Come discover the trails and spectacular views, led by Open Space Committee member and local historian Brian Crawford. Learn who Faudé was, the history of the land, “D Hill”, and the proposal to make it a n**e park.
Meet at 10 AM on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the corner of Tomahawk Drive and Alice Way. Park along Tomahawk Drive. Wear footwear suitable for hiking, which includes a flight of steps. A hat and water are recommended. Suitable for children but not strollers. Dogs can come if they are on leash.
For more information, contact Brian Crawford at 415-407-5776.