I have always been amazed by the number of city parks within Foster City’s 4.2 square miles of city limits. There are 21 in all; actually, there are 25 if you add the connector parks in neighborhood 1 that bridge streets in mid-block. I have asked Kevin Miller our Parks and Recreation Director more than once if he has found another city, anywhere, with more parks per capita. He is still looking. So am I and fortunately, I have had little luck.
What makes our city unique is it was planned with neighborhood and city parks in mind from day one. The intent was laying out a landscape of parks so that no one had to travel more than 1,000 yards to find recreation. This is not something you are likely to find in any other community.
Our founder Jack Foster had something both special and unique in mind and it remains so to this day. Most parks have evolved since their beginning and have added improvements such as a picnic tables, playgrounds, restrooms and athletic fields. Some parks are simply a large field of grass with trees and little else.
Some parks have beaches and some parks are just small enough to make you wonder how nice it is to have such a place to simply sit and rest. Our parks are everywhere and if you have not experienced these little jewels on Foster City’s landscape, then you have missed a significant component of what defines Foster City. However, do not despair since I will provide you a list and the means by which you and your family can experience the legacy Foster City takes great pride in preserving for everyone.
Below I have listed the names of our parks and what do they offer. The list is as follows:
• Arcturus Park playground/picnic area
• Boat Park boat launch/restrooms
• Dog Park dog playground/restrooms
• Boothbay Park ballfield/basketball/BBQ/playground/ picnic/restrooms/tennis/soccer
• Catamaran Park basketball/beach/playground/picnic/
restrooms/tennis/soccer/volleyball
• Edgewater Park ballfield/basketball/playground/picnic/
restroom/tennis
• Erckenbrack Park beach/playground/picnic/restrooms
• Farragut Park playground/picnic/restrooms
• Gateshead Park bike paths
• Gull Park beach/playground/picnic/restrooms
• Ketch Park basketball/picnic
• Killdeer Park playground/picnic
• Leo J. Ryan Park basketball/bike path/boat launch/
Recreation Center/bocce ball/tennis/
restrooms/picnic
• Little Leo Park A little oasis to just sit
• Marlin Park beach/playground/picnic/restrooms
• Pompano Park just a lovely field of grass and trees
• Port Royal Park basketball/bike path/playground/picnic
restrooms/soccer fields
• Sea Cloud Park ballfields/bike path/playground/picnic/
restrooms/soccer fields
• Shad Park basketball/playground/picnic
• Sunfish Park basketball/playground/picnic
• Turnstone Park basketball/playground
There, that completes the list. Our parks are constantly being improved and up graded as capital improvement projects.
Presently Catamaran Park is currently being improved with a new synthetic turf soccer field, an extension of the shoreline bulkhead, walking track and outdoor lighting for the basketball court.
Sea Cloud Park will also be the recipient of a new synthetic soccer field at Field S-3. The dog park was recently refurbished with new synthetic turf, drainage system and overhead lights.
Edgewater Park added new tennis courts with a unique lighting system. Finally, our new Teen Center, The Vibe, is set to open this year in Leo Ryan Park. These are your tax dollars at work and they are meant for you and yours to enjoy. So on that note, ENJOY!
These parks can be found on a map, which is in the Leisure Update provided by our Parks and Recreation Department. If you did you receive a copy in the mail, drop by and pick one up at the Recreation Center located at 650 Shell Blvd. or call me and I will have a copy delivered to you by the next day.
If you have any questions or remarks please feel free to call me at 650-349-2316 or e-mail me at jkiramis@fostercity.org.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
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