Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Supervisor Ray Mueller, District 3
Subject: Resolution Naming the New San Mateo County Park Opening at Tunitas Creek Beach the “Don Horsley County Park at Tunitas Creek Beach”
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution naming the new San Mateo County Park opening at Tunitas Creek Beach the “Don Horsley County Park at Tunitas Creek Beach.”
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County’s newest park at Tunitas Creek Beach is located eight miles south of the City of Half Moon Bay in unincorporated San Mateo County, totals approximately 58 acres and includes almost one mile of sandy beach, steep coastal bluffs, and the mouth of Tunitas Creek. The park property has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and is framed by iconic sandstone cliffs to the north. Numerous special status and protected plant and animal species, including the Western Snowy Plover, can be found on the property.
Since 2019, the County Parks Department and its contractors have worked to develop and construct new amenities at the park property, including improved parking areas, scenic overlooks with bench seating, an accessible pedestrian pathway to the mid-bluff with public restrooms, tiered amphitheater style seating and gathering spaces, picnic tables, interpretive displays and signage, and improved beach access via the existing service road. The beach has minimal development, and instead offers park users opportunities for passive recreation.
Construction is nearing its completion, and the park is scheduled to open to the public later this fall.
DISCUSSION:
Chapter 2.52 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code sets forth the County’s policy for recognizing and honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the County of San Mateo, including by naming County facilities in honor of those individuals.
The naming of County facilities after an individual is generally reserved for exceptional circumstances, taking into account the period over which any contribution is made, the number of people affected by the contribution, and the extent to which County residents have been positively impacted by the actions of the individual proposed for recognition. Nominations for recognition by the naming of a County facility may be made by any member of the Board of Supervisors.
We recommend that the new San Mateo County park at Tunitas Creek Beach be named in honor of former San Mateo County Sheriff and Supervisor Don Horsley, in recognition of his many and varied outstanding contributions to the County, including his exceptional vision, leadership, and efforts that led to the County’s acquisition of the Tunitas Creek Beach property and its development as a County park.
Don Horsley served the County and its residents for over 40 years, beginning in 1972 as a patrol deputy in East Palo Alto for the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, then as the San Mateo County Sheriff from 1993 to 2007, and, finally, as a Member of this Board of Supervisors for three terms from 2010 to 2023. During his illustrious career in the County, Don Horsley also worked for the Daly City Police Department, as a juvenile counselor for the San Mateo County Probation Department, as a middle school teacher, and for the Pacifica Police Department
Under Don Horsley’s leadership, the County, Peninsula Open Space Trust, and California State Coastal Conservancy partnered to secure $13.4 million to purchase the Tunitas Creek Beach property and to transform it into the County’s newest park, for both the betterment and enjoyment of San Mateo County’s residents and visitors and the conservation of local flora and fauna.
Owing to Don Horsley’s leadership and tireless efforts, the public will have access to Tunitas Creek Beach’s pristine, one mile stretch of sandy beach, offering San Mateo County residents and visitors an opportunity to connect with the natural world and to enjoy unparalleled views of the San Mateo County coast.
We, therefore, recommend that the new San Mateo County park be named “Don Horsley County Park at Tunitas Creek Beach” to recognize and honor Don Horsley’s many lasting contributions to the County and its residents.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with adopting this resolution.