San Anselmo considers Sorich Park multiuse trail options

San Anselmo officials are considering whether to let cyclists to ride through Sorich Park as part of a developing plan for a multiuse path to San Rafael.

The town is seeking public comments on potential locations for the amenity.

“In San Anselmo we try to accommodate all types of recreation for all ages,” Mayor Eileen Burke said. “The town is exploring whether to allow bicycles in Sorich and whether this would negatively impact hikers and walkers in the park. As always, we welcome resident input when considering any changes to our recreational spaces.”

The idea to create the trail dates to 2020. The goal would be to improve bicycle connectivity from San Anselmo to the San Rafael Ridge, the Loma Alta Preserve and Terra Linda.

Current bicycle access is limited to Fawn Drive in Sleepy Hollow, Sun Valley in San Rafael and Tomahawk Drive in San Anselmo. All options are considered steep and inaccessible to many cyclists.

A plan developed by resident Sandor Lengyel identifies four trail options. The options include redevelopment of a pedestrian path at Sorich Park to Cemetery Fire Road in the Los Ranchitos neighborhood; a new trail from the Sorich Park parking lot to Cemetery Fire Road; a new trail from the Sorich Park parking lot to Ridgewood Fire Road; or a new trail along Tomahawk Fire Road.

The town has planned a series of public forums, including a Planning Commission session on Aug.19, a community meeting on Sept. 5 and a Town Council meeting on Sept. 24.

Warren Wells of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition said there is a quarter-mile gap between the bike lanes on San Francisco Boulevard in San Anselmo and the bike-legal fire roads and trails on Terra Linda Ridge managed by the county parks department.

“Bicyclists from throughout the Ross Valley are asking for the Sorich Park Trail to be updated to multiuse so doctors can ride from their homes in San Anselmo to the Kaiser hospital in Terra Linda, so that Archie Williams students can access open space and so people can travel to the Civic Center SMART station without driving through downtown San Rafael,” he said.

San Anselmo Councilmember Brian Colbert said it is essential that the public be involved in the decision-making process.

The cost of the project has not been determined. Town officials plan to develop an estimate and funding options after the public and the council endorse a trail proposal.