Marin County Hoping to Break Ground on Stafford Lake Bike Park Next Spring

With donations streaming in Marin County Parks administrators hope to break ground on the Stafford Lake Bike Park sometime next spring.

The project would create 17 acres of trails for cyclists of all levels on the northwestern segment of Stafford Lake Park, west of Novato.

An estimated $300,000 has already been raised and a $25,000 donation is expected from a bicycle manufacturer this fall, according to Steve Petterle, principal planner for Marin County Parks.

That’s roughly $100,000 raised over the past five months, a notable accomplishment and something parks staff hope encourages even more donations. 

“We have some very strong leads on additional sponsorships and foundation grants,” Petterle said Tuesday.

This spring, the project received a significant boost after Mike’s Bikes, which has 11 locations throughout the Bay Area, and the Violich Family Foundation donated $50,000 each. Supervisors Judy Arnold and Steve Kinsey also kicked in $50,000 to the effort. I

n exchange, the donors will have their name featured on the park and Mike’s Bikes will receive permission to hold events at Stafford Lake without a fee for the first three years.

The public-private partnerships have been lauded as an innovative way to raise revenue in tough economic times.

When completed, the park will include a learn-to-ride area, "pump" tracks for different levels of riders, a perimeter trail, skill stations, ladder bridges and shaded viewing areas.

To find out more about the effort, click here.

Have you donated to this effort? Will you use the Stafford Lake Bike Park if and when it’s completed?

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