City of Foster City
Parks & Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee
2024 Year End Report
The Parks and Recreation Committee’s 2024 Year End Report is outlined here by recapping our overall Mission with our 2024 Goals and Objectives and highlighting our achievements over the past year associated with each of these goals.
Mission Statement: The Parks and Recreation Committee of the City of Foster City shall serve as an advisory committee to City Council and as an advisory forum between citizens and the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Parks and Recreation Committee shall act in the spirit of City Council priorities and Parks and Recreation Department goals and objectives in order to provide for a parks and recreation program that is responsive to the interests of Foster City citizens and strives for comprehensive community engagement:
1.Vision for Parks, Facilities, and Programs: Study and evaluate City operated parks, facilities, programs, and operations to ensure they meet the current and future needs of the changing community and structure programs and facilities accordingly. The Parks & Recreation Committee actively participated in the Recreation Center Rebuild Project
oThe committee provided input and guidance to the city staff and the council as part of the deliberations regarding the recreation center rebuild project (RCRP). oRCRP greenlighted. Groundbreaking ceremony conducted December 18 th, 2024 Parks Master Plan: The committee is actively participating in the parks master plan. oThe committee appointed two committee members to serve on the parks master plan task force.
oSupporting public engagement and awareness efforts and soliciting feedback through surveys and in-person outreach conducted via workshops and popup events.
Support the City’s Age Friendly Cities Initiative and action plan oThe City of Foster City and its partners consistently offer some activities aimed at seniors age 55+. These activities include a regular senior newsletter with information on programs and services, a monthly senior meal, an annual senior ball, senior Bingo and various activities, periodic day trips and excursions, and various health and wellness classes and informative workshops (tai chi, yoga, driver safety and AARP tax guidance).
oThe City of Foster City is currently collaborating with SCAN Health to provide additional senior programs and services. SCAN Health sponsored several events including the Halloween Festival, Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, three Senior Bingo events.
oAs part of the Parks Master Plan project, the City will engage adults 55+ on ways the City’s parks and programs can be more responsive and do a better job of serving older adults. In addition, the plan will consider the Age Friendly Cities Initiative and Action Plan and the City’s ADA transition plan with any recommendations that are proposed to improve City parks and programs. Levee trail:
oLevee trail reopened 2/24/2024
oOngoing discussion about levee signage
2.Safe and Well-Maintained Facilities and Parks: Provide recommendations and guidance to the City Council and City staff that will ensure the City’s facilities, parks, and lagoon are well maintained and meet the current and future needs of the community. Lagoon Safety:
oReviewed presentation by Edgewater Marine
Goose Population Management Plan:
oReviewed regular updates from staff and helped relay information to the community on goose population management efforts
Participated in presentation discussions on various city and community functions oFoster City Library
oFoster City Tennis Club
oCPRS Management School
oFoster City Pickleball Club
oYouth and Teen programs
oRec.US presentation
oHillbarn Theater presentation
oLions Club
oFoster City Rotary Club
oFoster City Village
oFoster City travel baseball
oPresentation on pesticide safety
oCitizen’s sustainability advisory committee presentation on fireworks
1.Community Engagement: Engage with the greater Foster City community to receive input regarding open space, facilities, recreation programs and activities; with the goal of increasing community participation in parks, programs, and public spaces, and ensuring we meet the current needs of the community. Various engagement tools and strategies will be employed while reporting back to the Committee and City staff on findings. Volunteered or participated in the following Parks & Recreation Events oJuly 4 th activities
oSummer Concert Series
oSummer Days events
oClassic Car Show
oRubber Ducky Race
oHalloween “Spooktakular” Festival
oSpring & Fall Movie Nights
oCommunity Bike Ride
oSenior Showcase
oSan Mateo Consolidated Fire Department Open House
oCity tree Lighting
oRibbon Cutting for Edgewater Sports Field resurfacing project oGroundbreaking and shovel ceremony for the new Foster City Community Center
The committee appointed a 2-member subcommittee to provide input towards the 2025 Summer Concert Series Band selection process
The committee participated in other community engagement opportunities with varying focuses via various social media platforms
2.Sustainability: Research and evaluate opportunities for local community partnerships with Foster City school districts, service clubs, youth sports, non-profit, and business organizations to enhance and sustain program offerings through shared efforts. Identify areas of interest for each organization to best meet common needs. The Committee should report back on areas of opportunity and feasibility.
Foster City Community Garden
oThe committee worked with the Foster City Community Garden Association to organize the opening of the City’s community garden; a pilot program authorized by the City Council. The timeline for the rollout of the garden and selection of gardeners will occur on April 1, 2025
oScheduled to open on April 1, 2025
Collaboration with CSAC on sustainable measures for the City oCollaborated with CSAC committee to promote various sustainable activities and events organized for Earth Day in April 2024
oThe committee volunteered on April 27, 2024 at the Earth Day event which included community faire booths to educate visitors about different environmental sustainability practices and strategies.