Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Carole Groom, District 2
Supervisor Don Horsley, District 3
Subject: Equitable Access to the San Mateo County Parks System
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution:
A) Adopting the San Mateo County Parks Department's Interpretive Program Strategic Plan; and
B) Authorizing the Parks Department to implement the Mariposa Program, which will provide a no-cost Parks Annual Pass to eligible individuals/households, and further authorizing the Parks Director to expand the eligibility list to meet future needs of the residents of San Mateo County; and
C) Authorizing amendments to the Parks Department's fee schedule to increase the cost of an annual pass and create separate resident and non-resident camping rates for campgrounds within the San Mateo County Parks system.
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BACKGROUND:
In an effort to make access to County parks more equitable, in 2021, the San Mateo County Parks Department ("Department") was directed to present to the Board of Supervisors a proposal that would eliminate all vehicle entrance fees from the County park system. Upon analysis of available visitor data and revenue, the Department determined that elimination of vehicle entrance fees would not make access to County parks more equitable, and the loss of revenue would exacerbate known barriers to access. As an alternative, the Department presented the Mariposa Program - a program that would provide free vehicle access to all County parks for recipients of Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and San Mateo County Access and Care for Everyone (ACE) benefits. During the Board meeting in which the Mariposa Program was presented, many perspectives were shared; comments focused on making parks more accessible for everyone, increasing visitor numbers, and eliminating any barriers to access that may exist. To further explore these matters, the Board elected to create an ad hoc subco...
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