The City of Foster City has announced that the Foster City Dog Park will be closed and unavailable for public use from February 2 to March 16, 2009, while extensive renovations are underway.

Since its completion in October 2000, the Dog Park has been the premiere dog park in San Mateo County. In order to continue this outstanding service to the community, the Foster City Parks and Recreation Department is embarking on the following improvements to the park:

• Installation of new synthetic turf to both the big dog and little dog areas
• Upgrades to lighting
• Improved drainage, specifically around the drinking fountains
• Addition of a picnic table
• Improved gate entrances
• New signage with clear and concise rules and regulations

Based on staff’s evaluation and discussions with contractors, the Dog Park needs to be completely closed to the public during construction to ensure safety and to allow complete access by crews to the Dog Park during the construction and maintenance operations.

As a reminder, there are alternative sites close by for dog exercise, such as the East Third Avenue Dog Park that is operated by the City of San Mateo.

Also, Foster City has dedicated off-leash areas at the following parks:

• EDGEWATER (on the corner of Edgewater Blvd. and Regulus) 5 AM to 8 AM
• BOOTHBAY (on the corner of Edgewater Blvd. and Boothbay) 5 AM to 8 AM
• CATAMARAN (on the corner of Shell and Catamaran) 5 AM to 8 AM
• SEA CLOUD (on the corner of Pitcairn and Sea Cloud) 5am to 8am; Sun 5am to 9am
• FARRAGUT (on the corner of Beach Park Blvd. and Farragut) 5 AM to 8 AM

Please note the specific times at each location and, as always, please adhere to the rules at each location.

For more information about the Dog Park or the planned improvements, please contact Kevin Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation at 286-3388 or kmiller@fostercity.org.