Ten years after the blueprints were drafted, Sausalito’s Dunphy Park is poised for a major renovation.
The City Council unanimously awarded a $1.4 million contract on Tuesday to Hanford Applied Restoration and Conservation for environmental cleanup, shoreline restoration and infrastructure improvements that will double the usable space at bayfront park. Other costs bring the total to $1.7 million.
“I’m really excited to see us continue to make improvements and finalize the incredibly beautiful project,” said Councilmember Melissa Blaustein. “A big thanks to Jacques Ullman and all of you who served on the community and organizational groups that made this possible.”
In 2015, Friends of Dunphy Park, led by Sausalito architects Ullman and Paul Leffingwell, developed a plan to transform the parcel between Napa and Locust streets at the edge of Richardson Bay that was a landfill until the 1970s.
The project’s first phase, which ended in 2021, mostly restored Dunphy Park’s northern half. That portion of the park now has a parking lot, nearby restrooms, a volleyball court and several bocce courts. A shoreline walking path and green spaces continue to the south. The Cruising Club lounge is behind the bocce courts.
During phase one construction, soil with high levels of lead was found and removed. As the second phase of planning resumed last year, county officials were concerned about more contaminated soil and debris along the shoreline, said Sara Khorshidifard, public works project manager.
More soil removal and shoreline remediation is needed, she said, describing the first work to be done. Afterward, the shoreline path will be restored and extended south, following the contours of a small inlet until it ends at a parking lot on Humboldt Avenue. More green spaces, benches and landscaping will be added.
“The southern side of the park known as Phase 2 aims to finalize the original vision through shoreline stabilization, site grading, accessible pedestrian paths, native and adaptive landscaping, irrigation, benches, picnic tables and related site improvements,” the staff report said.
“Phase two will complete its extraordinary journey from open water to landfill and now to a vibrant community space,” Khorshidifard said.
Members of the council had a range of questions. Mayor Joan Cox wondered if the winning bid was unrealistically low. The public works staff said it wasn’t.
Councilmember Jill Hoffman asked why toxic soils remained after the first phase, and whether the city could get a refund from its former contractor. Staff said they would follow up and report back.
Blaustein wondered why the second phase didn’t include installing signage that recognizes the site’s importance to Native Americans. Staff said such acknowledgements could be addressed as the work turned to landscaping. Vice Mayor Steven Woodside said it was important to collaborate with tribal representatives.
Councilmember Ian Sobieski asked if the park’s southern tier could be elevated to create better views. Staff said that assessment could come after the soil cleanup.
Most public comments supported the project but some expressed worries about its costs.
Ullman thanked the city for following the Friends of Dunphy Park’s vision.
“I’m delighted we’ve gotten to this point,” he said. “We’re finally going to get this thing done that’s been going on for years and years.”