The county’s original dream of converting the former San Geronimo Golf Course into open space has been brought to fruition: The Marin Open Space Trust is purchasing a conservation easement from the property owner, ensuring that the land will not be developed. The $3.2 million deal covers 135 acres of the 157-acre property, which is owned by the Trust for Public Land and is now named the San Geronimo Commons. “We see it as a really positive, important milestone in terms of realizing the vision for the property,” said Erica Williams, the Trust for Public Land’s San Geronimo field director. The easement clears the way for further ecological restoration and passive recreation, which began after the course closed in 2017. The Trust for Public Land laid out its plans in a visioning document released in January. The bulk of the property is intended for meadow and floodplain restoration, with improved waterflow and more native plants. Larsen Creek would be daylighted and complex salmonid habitat created in San Geronimo Creek. A multi-use trail would connect the clubhouse to Lagunitas School and neighboring trailheads, and secondary trails would be added throughout. The easement prohibits the construction of new structures, so any future amenities on the property will be focused on the 22 acres that can be developed. Marin County is exploring a purchase of that parcel, which includes the parking lot, clubhouse and garden, to use for a new fire headquarters. The Trust for Public Land is seeking a public agency, nonprofit or land trust to own and manage the rest of the property in the long term. Funding for the easement comes from voter-approved monies for parks and water projects from the California Wildlife Conservation Board and the California Natural Resources Agency.  The trust purchased the golf course in 2018 for $8.8 million with the intention of selling it to the county, but a lawsuit derailed the plans and the nonprofit was left on the hook.