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Nov 05, 2024

Mill Valley commission approves sand volleyball courts

The Mill Valley Parks and Recreation Commission has endorsed a plan to install two sand volleyball courts at Bayfront Park. The commission voted unanimously last week to send the project to the City

The Mill Valley Parks and Recreation Commission has endorsed a plan to install two sand volleyball courts at Bayfront Park.

The commission voted unanimously last week to send the project to the City Council for final approval. Volleyball courts have been requested by residents for years, according to city staff.

Beach volleyball has more than 5.5 million players in the United States, up from 3.2 million in 2006, according to Mark Neumann, a city official. In Mill Valley, hundreds of youths play the sport in clubs and programs.

“Its growing popularity and increase in demand locally has put a strain on the limited number of sand courts available in the county,” said Neumann.

The county has four courts at the College of Marin, two at Piper Park in Larkspur, one at Dunphy Park in Sausalito and one at San Clemente Park in Corte Madera.

A new volleyball court was the first recommendation made in the 2004 Bayfront Park master plan. The plan noted that the location and specifics needed to be researched by staff.

In 2022, the city’s recreation office was awarded a state Department of Parks and Recreation grant of $177,952 to plan and construct the courts. Staff said the local volleyball community pledged to raise the remaining $162,500 to install the courts.

The city’s courts would be located in the northwest corner of Bayfront Park. A 10-foot-tall fence would surround the court on three sides and connect to the fence at Bayfront Field. The area was picked because it wouldn’t cause traffic-flow hazards to the multiuse path and would preserve the passive use areas around it. It is unlikely a field or other recreational facility would fit there, said Neumann.

Staff looked at two other potential locations for the courts — west of Hauke South Field and the north side of the Hauke Bridge access path. Both were in the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission’s jurisdiction and would require more time and effort to get a project permitted. Both also encroach on nearby wetlands.

The Bayfront Park location is used as a transition zone for soccer and lacrosse teams. Neumann said other nearby spaces could be used. He also said there could be a slight increase in traffic.

Katherine Jones, a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, suggested a space between the south end of Bayfront Field and Bell/Ropers Field as a place for kids to get ready and wait for their practices and games.

“I just feel like at some point, that’s going to be a more common area to access both fields. so I think in the future there can be improved use of that space to mitigate the loss of that northern space where people are playing pass now, and changing and watching games,” said Jones.

Tighe O’Sullivan, a soccer coach, spoke at the meeting in support of the project. He said no one uses that area for warming up or getting ready. He added that the area is slightly sloped, has dead grass and is unusable for most purposes.

“I’m out on the field all the time,” said O’Sullivan. “This is a perfect spot for what you’re proposing.”

City staff estimate the annual revenue for the new courts could be between $5,000 and $10,000. Revenue from sand courts fluctuates. Larkspur at one point received $24,000 in volleyball court revenue and received $8,000 last year, according to a city staff report. Corte Madera’s sand courts generated no revenue last year.

Staff recommended hourly fees of $20 per court for nonprofits, $28 for Mill Valley residents, $37 for nonresidents and $42 for commercial users.

Many residents spoke at the meeting in support of the sand volleyball courts.

Julie Rocherolle, who said her daughter took up the sport around three years ago, spoke in support of the project.

“It’s a really passionate group of athletes and coaches and would be lovely to have this be part of our community,” said Rocherolle.

DeAnna Schaefer wrote to the City Council in support of the volleyball courts. She said club volleyball can be expensive and a community court would lower barriers to the sport.

“Our teen daughter plays beach volleyball and it has been a game changer for her confidence and connection to her volleyball community and school,” wrote Schaefer. “There are so many opportunities for sand play in other parts of California. We are in shock that Mill Valley doesn’t have sand courts. So many young athletes and adults could enjoy sand play, get outside and connect with one another.”

Owen Graham, who plays volleyball for Tamalpais High School, said he was “super stoked” about the project. He said the sport is expensive and athletes often need to join a club to gain access to courts.

“I think this is a really affordable way to just get to play the game, and I think it will increase players in the sport,” Graham said.

A California Environmental Quality Act review is in progress and is expected to be completed this month, said Neumann. The city is aiming to put the project out to bid in March. Construction could begin in the spring, and the courts could be done by the summer.

The project will go to the City Council for final approval on Sept. 16.