Creating Community
Protecting Corte Madera
Saving Public Land
Helping to bring the hanging flower baskets to Corte Madera is one of the most beautiful things I have ever been involved with!
“Pat is the most engaged, interested, committed and responsive local politician I have ever met. She is a tireless advocate for CM and is passionate about making Corte Madera the best it can be.”
— Anita Bock, Christmas Tree Hill
“Pat listens to Corte Maderans and gets things done in record time!” — Linda Varonin, community volunteer
My Commitments to You:
To work diligently to create a quality of life in Corte Madera that is second to none.
To protect Corte Madera’s public rights of ways, parks, open spaces, trails, paths and gathering places.
To foster a transparent relationship between the Town Council and the community, always including residents in planning conversations.
To protect all Town resources, financial and otherwise, to assure a solid future for Corte Madera.
To invest tax revenues wisely for the maximum benefit of present and future generations.
To support critical projects in flood control, fire prevention, as well as outdoor recreation, cultural amenities, and economic development to serve local residents.
To assure our public processes are fair to all, law abiding, and of service to the greater good.
To continue Corte Madera’s tradition of civility and kindness in public meetings, and fairness and integrity in all dealings.
What was planned to be a temporary Town Park re-location for the summer concerts was so loved that we’ll likely continue there, but we can also host other entertainment at Menke, including music, comedy, and special events. Bob and I have been sponsors of the concert series from the start, and we are exceedingly proud of the Corte Madera Community Foundation for starting the trend in Marin to offer free outdoor music during the summer months.
We added new restrooms to Town Park during my first term on council. These have been a much welcomed improvement for everyone, especially concert goers this summer.
Phase One renovation of Menke Park, featuring accessible pathways and a natural sloped turf for better seating at concerts, is complete. Next up, I’ve proposed we work toward new public restrooms, better parking, and more marketing support for downtown businesses. And coffee. We need coffee!
1928
2028?
A rendering of what’s possible! In 1981, local architect Jack Haehl proposed a “Corte Madera Depot” for the Old Square, that, just like the original train station, would provide a meeting point, weather protection and a new center of activity for downtown Corte Madera. This could be funded through a public/private partnership, as the town and community foundation arranged with Cafe Verde in 2011.
Corte Madera’s new Intergenerational Center will open this fall! Thanks to a sizable donation from Age Friendly Corte Madera, we are turning the former Andy’s Market site into a lively, busy place for exercise, arts, and community. I am serving on the subcommittee for this project, and it has been an honor and labor of love to help shape this very special place for Corte Madera. Watch for an opening celebration later this year.
Congressman Jared Huffman and State Assemblyman Damon Connolly both endorse Pat for re-election. We hope you’ll join the growing list!
Coming soon! One of Pat’s initiatives prior to joining the council was to recruit world class architecture firm Skidmore Owings and Merril to design a new US 101 over-crossing at Tamalpais Drive. It will connect the two sides of Corte Madera in a more safe and accessible way. Construction will begin in 2028, according to Cal Trans.
My positions have at times been controversial. I was asked to recuse myself from closed door sessions regarding a law suit by private developers who wanted to build on public open space, because I was a known supporter of protecting public lands.
Please know that I will continue to stand firmly on the side of legally defensible open spaces, public rights of ways, and environmental good sense in all things. The public law doctrine, which puts the natural environment first, should apply everywhere. Without clean water, land, air and nature habitat, nothing else matters. If nature doesn’t have rights to exist, then neither do we.
As Corte Madera becomes more densely populated, our public lands, parks and trails will become even more important to all of us.
Pat’s Corte Madera Resume
1990: Moved to town from Chicago with husband and baby
1992: Named Co-founder of new Beautification Committee with then Mayor Carolyn Larson (after calling town hall to complain about the weeds!)
1994: Co-chair with Jana Haehl, first Corte Madera Oktoberfest, to raise funds for hanging flower baskets
1996- 2004(?): (Again in 2018-2020) Corte Madera Parks and Recreation Commission — Rebuilt children’s playground in first terms; instigated Parks Master Plan in 2018.
2008: Recruited husband Bob Ravasio to run for Town Council after town leaders discovered financial improprieties regarding a town real estate purchase
2010: Initiated plans for a public-private partnership to create a Community Cafe and new Town Park Plaza town-owned Park Madera Center
2012: Cafe Verde opened. Corte Madera Community Foundation helped fund adjacent Town Park Plaza and Shade Structure
2022: Cal trans supported CM recommended design (by Architects Skidmore Owings and Merrill) for Tamalpais over-crossing, allocates funds
2022: Elected to Town Council
2022: Pressed for low cost community swim program at Redwood High School, achieved in 2022; became free in 2025
2024: New state-of-art public restrooms in Corte Madera Town Park
2025: Pickleball courts, Scotty Lap Skate Park, other park improvements
2026: Currently working to open a new Intergenerational Center at the former Andy’s Market site
2026: Menke Park renovation subcommitte. Summer Concerts move to Town Park to great reviews; consider permanent stage or amphitheater for Town Park(?)
2026: Corte Madera poised to make history as first municipality to ban sales of tobacco and nicotine products
If I’m reelected in 2026, here’s what I hope to deliver for Corte Madera:
2027: OldSquare CM Depot: new public restrooms, coffee shop, expansion of parking
2027: Begin community planning for future of Park Madera Center
2028: Investigate rebuilding Higgins Landing kayak/paddleboard dock, and/or improve water access with beach, docks; support more outdoor recreation and fitness amenities for all ages
2028: New Tamalpais Overcrossing to begin construction