The Future of Martinez Parks
I am excited to share the progress we are making on our Parks System Master Plan, a long-term, community-driven vision for the future of our parks, open spaces, and recreation opportunities.
Over the past several months, more than 1,000 community members have helped shape this effort through surveys, workshops, and discussions. Their message has been clear: our parks are at the heart of Martinez because they are the places where families gather, neighbors connect, and we all enjoy the natural open spaces that define our city.
We also heard thoughtful and consistent feedback about how to make our system even better. Residents want well-maintained, safe, and welcoming parks, with improved lighting, clean facilities, and comfortable spaces for all ages. There is strong support for expanding recreation opportunities, especially family-friendly amenities like playgrounds and splash pads, as well as enhancing trails and connections between neighborhoods and open spaces. Trail connectivity to the SF Bay Trail, the Contra Costa Canal Trail, and the Iron Horse Trail, has been a priority of mine for years; incorporating this idea into our plan that will guide the next decade of Martinez parks is a perfect fit.
Importantly, this plan is not about starting from scratch. It is about building on what we already love and preserving our natural landscapes by making targeted improvements that reflect community priorities.
We are now entering Phase 2 of community outreach, where your input is more important than ever. This next round will help refine priorities, evaluate potential improvements, and guide the development of specific recommendations for the future of our park system.
I encourage every resident to take a few minutes to participate by completing the Phase 2 questionnaire. Your voice will directly shape the next chapter of Martinez’s parks. I want to see Martinez leading the pack by installing innovative park amenities; what do you want to see? Do you want the splash pad? Do you want an expanded skate park? Do you want a bike pump track? Send in all your ideas. Your opinions matter and you haven’t missed your opportunity to provide input! Together, we are creating a park system that reflects our shared values today and built for the next generation of Martinez residents.
