DATE: July 21, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director
Tiffany Oren, Recreation Manager
Frank Fanara, Parks Maintenance Manager
SUBJECT: APPROVE TEMPORARY USE PERMIT AND STREET CLOSURES FOR FOSTER CITY SUMMER DAYS - AUGUST 15-17, 2025
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving a temporary use permit on August 15-17, 2025, for the annual Foster City Birthday Celebration, Summer Days, at Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park and authorizing the closure of portions of:
Shell Boulevard
Balclutha Drive between the roundabout and Shell Boulevard The exit onto Shell Boulevard from the south service road of the Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC) Campus; and
Civic Center Drive.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Foster City Parks and Recreation Department will use Shell Boulevard, Leo J.
Ryan Memorial Park, The VIBE Teen Center, and parking lot for Foster City Summer Days from 9:00 AM on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, until 5:00 AM on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Associated street closures will occur from 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 14, 2025, until 5:00 AM on Monday, August 18, 2025, for the event include:
Shell Boulevard to be closed to through traffic between East Hillsdale Boulevard and South Service Road
Balclutha Drive to be closed to through traffic between the round-about and Shell Boulevard
Shell Boulevard exit off the far South Service Road on the PJCC campus to be closed.
The exit off Civic Center Drive onto Shell Boulevard, just west of the round- about on the PJCC campus to Shell Boulevard to be closed.
In addition, the Leo Ryan Park meadow will be unavailable from Monday, August 11 at 8:00 AM for placement and breakdown of some of the carnival rides through Tuesday, August 19, at 12:00 PM.
Signage will be placed on A-frames to draw attention to the parking lot and street closures. City staff will announce the street closure in the City's bi-monthly e-newsletter, City Calendar, as well as include details in the Foster City Islander. Information on the event and street and parking lot closures will be posted and distributed through the Community Center and The VIBE Teen Center, and in classes and activities that generally take place at these locations. The City has also shared this plan with the PJCC and Wornick Jewish Day School as it can impact their patrons.
BACKGROUND
On May 14, 2018, the City Council directed staff to create a new, revenue-generating large special event managed by City staff. City Council direction was to develop an event that would have a local/community focus with a Citywide celebratory appeal and would be self-sustaining or revenue positive. On February 22, 2022, the City Council authorized the addition of Summer Days as an on-going annual community event.
Summer Days is a multi-day event that will incorporate the elements of a traditional community carnival with a modern twist. This event has traditionally featured food trucks, handmade craft vendors, local community organizations and businesses, beer and wine, entertainment, carnival rides, and the Rubber Ducky Races. Due to ongoing construction and limited viewing space along the boardwalk caused by fencing, the Rubber Ducky Races will be reimagined this year as a fun scavenger hunt rather than a traditional race on the lagoon.
2025 Summer Days Activity Schedule:
Carnival (Meadow & Shell Boulevard)
Friday, August 15 - 5:00 PM-10:30 PM
Saturday, August 16 - 11:00 AM-11:00 PM
Sunday, August 17 - 11:00 AM-7:00 PM
Craft Vendors (Shell Boulevard)
Saturday, August 16 - 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
Sunday, August 17 - 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Food and Beverage (Shell Boulevard & Parking Lot)
Saturday, August 16 - 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Sunday, August 17 - 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Entertainment (Amphitheater & Shell Boulevard)
Friday, August 15 – 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Saturday, August 16 - 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Sunday, August 17 - 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
ANALYSIS
The street festival concept encompasses a significant portion of Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park, as well as Shell Boulevard. The proposed layout for 2025 includes and anticipates the following:
Shell Boulevard (between East Hillsdale Boulevard and Foster Square Lane) closed to through traffic from 9:00 AM on Tuesday, August 12 until 5:00 AM on Tuesday, August 19. Due to the loss of access to the Recreation Center and its full parking lot, the street will be closed for an additional two days compared to previous years to allow for the increased setup time.
Shell Boulevard (between Foster Square Lane and Bounty Drive) closed to through traffic from 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 14 until 5:00 AM on Monday, August 18.
Balclutha Drive (between the round-about on the PJCC campus and Shell Boulevard) closed to through traffic from 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 14 until 5:00 AM on Monday, August 18.
Shell Boulevard exit from South Service Road of the PJCC campus will be closed from 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 14 until 5:00 AM on Monday, August
18. Shell Boulevard exit from Civic Center Drive will be closed from 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 14 until 5:00 AM on Monday, August 18. Leo Ryan Park meadow will be temporarily closed to the public from 8:00 AM on Monday, August 11, through 12:00 PM on Tuesday, August 19, to accommodate the setup of carnival attractions. This area is a new addition to this year’s event preparations. While the meadow will not be fenced off, we would request that patrons avoid the area for safety reasons. Park pathways will remain open and accessible to the public during this time. Security guards at barricades around the clock during the weekend, thus reducing the hours of reserve police officers.
A wide walkway for attendees to move through the venue, therefore increasing public safety.
Emergency access routes within the layout of the event Use of The VIBE Teen Center and surrounding park
Parkside Towers parking structure and Century Plaza parking lots will be used to provide public parking and monitored by local service club organizations. Vendor parking will be at City Hall lot which will be monitored by Security. Accessible parking will be located at the Community Center/Foster City Library lot.
The street festival concept allows participants to move from one side of Shell Boulevard to the other, while enjoying a wide variety of vendors and avoiding congestion.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Not Applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
Preparing for the street closure requires staff time from the Parks Division, however, the tasks are completed and included as part of the maintenance team’s regular daily responsibilities leading up to the event.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Public Safety/Social Equity
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Summer Days Event Map