Creating Community
Saving Public Lands
Protecting Corte Madera
“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
“You are a strong leader, and your knowledge and experience are vital to the council in the exercise of its fiduciary duties on behalf of the town.”
— Lucinda Smith, Chapman Park
Real Turf Playing Fields
As mayor in 2025, I pressed for healthier natural turf soccer fields — instead of plastic artificial turf with its neurotoxins. It took some convincing of the council, but about the time we were taking the vote, the mayor of Boston banned artificial turf on children’s sports fields, due to health concerns.
I was also an advocate for Integrated Pest Management town wide starting in the early 2000’s, and I still check every year to make sure we are living up to our commitment — to provide healthy, pesticide and herbicide free playing fields for Corte Madera’s children.
Just two of the ways I have helped Corte Madera become more of a “Blue Zone!”
“The new natural turf will be dense, durable, and pesticide-free, resisting weeds while staying green longer with a shorter dormant period.” — Staff report
I was honored to receive this plaque from the Town Council at the completion of my mayoral term in 2025. We accomplished a lot that year, and relationships on the council were warm and supportive.
Campaign Update from Pat
My campaign has gathered strength as the community has come to understand what’s behind recent issues. Thanks everyone who has reached out to me. Well researched articles in the PAC Sun and SF Chronicle have helped.
That there is such an active effort against me makes me realize that I am probably getting somewhere. My publicly stated initiative to create a CITIZENS OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE has rankled private interests. My opposition to the giveaway of public lands and historic open spaces is my fiduciary responsibility — to protect community assets. As it is for every Council Member, whether they understand that or not. An important silver lining is that these critical conversations are finally getting the public attention they need.
GOOD GOVERNANCE means taking time to make sure our actions are thoughtful, deliberate, and fair. Recent rash closed session council actions are an example of poor and unstable governance, as is the recent tolerance of personal attacks by members of the public.
As to the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, I have pressed during my first term for long overdue improvements in services for our business community. I do not think taxpayer monies should be used to support organizations whose primary focus is on member-only mixers and other social activities. Corte Madera businesses deserve modern, up to date marketing support from their Chamber, and I will continue to press for improvements, especially if the Chamber continues to expect taxpayer support.
More updates later. Please email me with any questions patravasio@gmail.com
The Incumbent Who Gets Things Done is Pat Ravasio
Pat’s volunteer work for Corte Madera started in the early 1990’s, when she helped create the Corte Madera Beautification Committee, and the Oktoberfest to fund the hanging flower baskets.
Above is Town Park Plaza and Cafe Verde, next to the Community Center, an idea initiated by Pat and Bob Ravasio, and made possible by the Corte Madera Community Foundation. This public/private partnership has been welcomed by many Corte Maderans, who gather regularly for companionship, nourishment and music.
You do not need to patronize the restaurant to gather at the plaza tables. In fact you can even bring your own picnic. This land actually is your land! It is park land that is owned by your Town.
PAT’S FIRST TERM RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS SETS HER APART:
2026 — CREATION OF INTERGENERATIONAL CENTER (SUBCOMMITTEE)
2026 — REDO OF MENKE PARK (SUBCOMMITTEE)
2023 - 2026 — FREE COMMUNITY SWIM PROGRAM @ REDWOOD HIGH SCHOOL (EFFORT BEGAN in 2017)
2026 — REAL TURF SOCCER FIELDS — w/o PESTICIDES OR HERBICIDES
2025 — NEW RESTROOMS FOR TOWN PARK
2023-2024 — REVIVED OKTOBERFEST AND LIONS CRAB FEED AFTER COVID. SERVED AS VOLUNTARY CHAIR TO REESTABLISH THESE IMPORTANT COMMUNITY EVENTS.
2028 — NEW TAMALPAIS OVERCROSSING INITIATED CONCEPT & WON DONATION OF DESIGN WORK BY WORLD CLASS ARCHITECTS SKIDMORE, OWINGS AND MERRILL.
2026 — IF REELECTED, PRIORITIES & PROPOSALS:
MORE COMMUNITY COLLABORATION ON PROJECTS, PLANNING
PUBLIC RESTROOMS, BETTER PARKING AT MENKE PARK
PERMANENT CONCERT STAGE and VENUE AT TOWN PARK
CREATE OPEN SPACE PROTECTION COMMITTEE
OUTDOOR RECREATION DEVELOPMENT, ON BOTH LAND AND WATER
MORE TRANSPARENCY, REPORTING OUT OF CLOSED SESSIONS
LEVERAGE EXPERTISE OF FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD NEW FIRE STATION(S)
A PROMISE FOR MORE COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
For the past few years, Corte Madera has gotten away from the collaborative planning approach that had previously set us apart.
The planning of Town Hall in 2020 was textbook community collaboration: many sessions, on Zoom, because of Covid, meant many chances for residents to weigh in before the working drawings began.
Menke Park is an example of a less than ideal process. The results are fine, but many were not pleased with how it was handled. Town staff worked well with the foundation to develop plans, and then presented them to the community. But once the design work is invested, the big decisions have been made. Even if the public’s reply is: “We want bathrooms!”
It’s much better to sit down with the community first. Get substantial initial input, then go back and come up with plans. Get buy in from the beginning!
One upcoming project we’ll discuss soon with the community is for a permanent stage in Town Park. Over the winter, we can get together for planning workshops, where Corte Madera residents can discuss options, financing, etc., working with one another, Town Council members, Planning Commissioners, and our excellent professional staff.
I would propose the same kind of process talking about the future of Park Madera Center, which is another exciting development opportunity for Corte Madera.
Collaboration has led us to great things. Like when someone said on Zoom that they’d like to see “a touch of the Ahwhanee Hotel” in our new Town Hall design. It just clicked. Such was also the case when we started Cafe Verde and created Town Park Plaza. These things are proof that we are good at collaboration. Let’s keep it going. Please write to me with your thoughts on this. patravasio@gmail.com
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 Town resources, financial and otherwise, to assure a solid future for Corte Madera.
To invest tax revenues and surpluses wisely for the maximum benefit of present and future generations.
To support critical projects in flood control, fire prevention, undergrounding of electric lines, as well as outdoor recreation, cultural amenities, and smart economic development that also serves local residents.
To assure our public processes are fair to all, law abiding, and of service to the greater good. More transparency.
To continue Corte Madera’s tradition of civility and kindness in public meetings, and fairness and integrity in all dealings.
TOWN PARK BANDSTAND? What was planned to be a temporary Town Park re-location for the summer concerts was so loved that we’ll likely continue there, and there’s already talk of building a permanent stage. But not to worry, we can also host events at Menke: music, comedy, and fundraising events. The Corte Madera Community Foundation is a pivotal partner. They started the trend in Marin to offer free outdoor music during the summer. Creating and using venues in ways that don’t bother the neighbors is important, and will continue to be a priority for Pat.
LONG OVERDUE! 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. Investing in better community infrastructure and amenities is another priority.
MAGICAL MENKE PARK! Our renovation of Menke Park, featuring accessible pathways and a natural sloped turf for better seating at concerts, is complete. Hope to see you at the CMCF’S Ice Cream Social On September 19 to celebrate the completion of the project. Next up, for phase two, the community has said they would like to see permanent public restrooms and better parking. I’d also like to see more marketing support for our downtown businesses. And coffee. We need coffee!
1928
2028?
A CORTE MADERA DEPOT?
In 1981, local architect Jack Haehl proposed a replica of the old train station in the Old Square, that, just like the original, would provide a meeting point, weather protection, and a new center of activity for downtown Corte Madera.
Above, this AI rendering is based on architectural drawings by Corte Madera architect Rich Perlstein, who has generously contributed his time to many community projects, including Town Park Plaza.
Like the plaza, the depot could also be funded through a public/private partnership, similar to the one arranged by the Town and owners of Cafe Verde.
A FIRST FOR MARIN! 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 serve 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 with the help of Age Friendly CM, which has great plans in store for the community.
Including coffee! Yes, coffee! Watch for a grand opening celebration later this year!
Coming soon! One of my 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.
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, new bike path ramp at Hart & Palm Avenue
2026: Currently working on subcommittee 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 improved public water access beach, docks, more outdoor fitness amenities for all ages
2028: New Tamalpais Overcrossing to begin construction