Although State law does not require inclusion of a Parks and Recreation Element in the General Plan, this Element serves two important functions: 1) establishing priorities in a time of scarce resources; and, 2) helping the County increase its inventory of park land through satisfying the requirements of two State laws, the Quimby Act and the Naylor Act. The Quimby Act allows local jurisdictions to require dedication of land for parks and/or payment of an in-lieu fee, as a condition of approval of development projects. The Naylor Act allows cities and counties to acquire surplus school properties for recreation purposes. The County must establish criteria for invoking these laws in the Parks and Recreation Element.

The County's last Parks and Recreation Element was adopted in 1965, at a time when the most pressing need was for more regional parks. Since 1965, this need has been substantially met through Federal acquisition of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Point Reyes National Seashore, and the Marin County Open Space District's acquisition of more than 12,000 acres of open space land.

In 1989, a survey of recreation directors ascertained a need for additional community facilities for active recreation (e.g. bike trails, swimming pools, tennis courts, and picnic and overnight camping areas) and improvement to existing facilities. The survey also identified a need to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the various providers of recreation - cities, county, and special districts.

The Element identifies an important role for the County in three areas: (1) coordinating with the cities on recreation policy issues, on the provision of a centralized facilities inventory and needs assessment, and on developing Quimby and Naylor Act criteria; (2) providing regional park facilities to meet countywide needs; and (3) developing options for funding the acquisition and operation of parks and recreation facilities.

The policies of the Parks and Recreation Element specify the following responsibilities for the County: managing existing county parks and developing new ones; coordinating with other park providers to avoid duplicating facilities and services; providing recreation services only in areas not served by cities and special districts; and, serving as a resource and facilitator for all park and recreation providers in the county.