Mill Valley Pump Track at Bayfront Park: Questions & Answers

Last updated: October 26, 2026

The Mill Valley Pump Track Alliance has proposed a bike pump track at Bayfront Park, inside the town's only off-leash dog park. Here are straight answers to the questions we hear most. We support a pump track in Mill Valley, just not in the town's only off-leash dog park. If we got something wrong, write to woof@savebayfrontdogpark.org, and we'll fix it. No growling.

Where would the Mill Valley pump track go?

The Alliance proposes Bayfront Park, in the off-leash dog area along the Mill Valley–Sausalito Path. As of October 2026, the City says it has not formally chosen a site. The Parks and Recreation Commission's 2026–27 project is to evaluate possible sites.

How large is Bayfront Park?

Bayfront Park as a whole is much larger, but the off-leash area is about three acres, according to the City's plaque at the park. The Alliance measured 4.3 acres by tracing the area in Google Earth, which is misleading because they included the perimeter path and the shoreline.

How much of the dog park would a pump track take?

About a third. The Alliance's concept is about 40,000 square feet, a little under an acre, with a bicycle playground for ages 1 to 6, a pump track, a jump line, fencing, and its own gated entrance. At three acres, that's about 31% of the off-leash area. The field is about 220 to 275 feet wide, so a fenced 40,000 square feet would either span its full width for 150 feet or more, or run as a long strip down one side.

Is there parking at Bayfront Park?

Not much, and it's shared. Bayfront Park has 14 regular parking spaces plus 2 accessible spaces, and construction is currently using some of them. On weekends, a small school lot next door adds 16 regular and 2 accessible spaces, with a single driveway for entering and leaving. The same street and lots serve the middle school, the skate park, volleyball, the soccer fields, the bike path, City employees, and the dog park. A few years ago, the city removed more than 20 street spaces for a much-needed bike lane.

Would a pump track bring more traffic to Bayfront?

Very likely. The Alliance describes the facility as serving riders from Marin City, Sausalito, Tiburon, Corte Madera, Larkspur, and Mill Valley. Some would ride over on the path. Many families would drive with bikes on a car rack and need to park. We're asking the City to count cars and parking spaces at every site it considers.

Can dogs and bikes safely share a park?

Not when the dogs are off-leash. Dogs chase fast-moving things, and a track full of riders next to an unfenced off-leash area puts kids on bikes and dogs in each other's path. Marin County's Stafford Lake Bike Park in Novato doesn't allow dogs. Ten years of U.S. emergency-room data show dogs involved in about 35,000 bicycle injuries.

Is the dog park underused?

No. People and dogs are there every day of the year, including holidays and rainy days. Mill Valley residents without yards, neighbors from The Redwoods senior community next door, and people without dogs use it daily.

Who uses the Bayfront Off-Leash Dog Park?

Neighbors of every age. One in four Mill Valley adults is 65 or older (2020 Census), and the flat walking loop by the water is one of the few outdoor places in town that doesn't require climbing. It's also the only place in Mill Valley where dogs can legally run off-leash, which matters for people in apartments, condos, townhomes, and affordable housing.

What did the City already approve for the dog park?

In March 2024, after a year of surveys and meetings, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved $25,000 in improvements: a wash-off station, weekly watering May through October, waste stations, a chicane entry gate, grading, benches and a volunteer station. So far, only the gate has been installed. About $21,000 was returned to the City's capital fund. We'd love to see the rest finished, whatever happens with a bike park.

Who is proposing the pump track, and how is it funded?

The Mill Valley Pump Track Alliance, a group of local riders, parents, cycling advocates, and local businesses. Its fiscal sponsor is Friends of Stafford Lake Bike Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In August 2026, the County accepted a $20,000 private donation for concept designs for a bike facility serving southern Marin, and the City has programmed $115,774 in Measure A funds for future planning and implementation. Read their materials at millvalleypumptrack.org.

Who is Save Bayfront Off-Leash Dog Park?

Neighbors who use the park. We don't fundraise, and we have no sponsors. We support a pump track in Mill Valley, and we'd happily show up for one at a site with room to ride and room to park.

Has the City decided?

Not yet. No public hearing has been scheduled; we expect one around January 2027. Parks & Rec meets the first Wednesday of every month at 6 PM at City Hall, and anyone can speak for three minutes at the start.

How can I share my view?

Email the Parks and Recreation Commission at recreate@cityofmillvalley.gov and the City Clerk at cityclerk@cityofmillvalley.gov, in your own words. See Take Action for more ways to help.