Canal Boatyard Community Park

For decades, residents of San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood have imagined a new future for a forgotten industrial site along their waterfront—a place where children could safely walk to school, neighbors could gather, and recreation and economic opportunities could thrive.

To turn this vision into reality, Trust for Public Land partnered with Canal Alliance, Marin County, the City of San Rafael, and local advocates to secure the former boatyard at the heart of the Canal neighborhood for public benefit—the first major step toward creating green space and connectivey that prioritizes the needs and well-being of the local residents.

The Canal neighborhood, a majority Latino community, has long faced limited access to parks, safe routes to schools, and public gathering spaces. With only one road in and out, residents are highly vulnerable during flooding and other emergencies. The future park and planned pedestrian bridge will create safer routes to schools, jobs, and downtown San Rafael, providing critical emergency access while also strengthening resilience to sea level rise. These improvements will expand recreational and economic opportunities, support community health, and bring much-needed green space to a corner of Marin County that has lacked park access for too long. Designed with extensive community input, the park will offer residents space for recreation, connection, and relief in a dense urban setting.

The project builds on decades of advocacy by Canal residents and would not have been possible without close collaboration among local government, community partners, and donors. Together, these efforts are making a long-held vision a reality—creating a safer, healthier, and more connected Canal neighborhood.