ADOPTION PRESENTATION
December 15, 2025
NAVIGATING THIS PLAN
WHY DO A PARKS MASTER PLAN?
PROCESS OVERVIEW
WE ARE HERE
KEY OUTCOMES
Expanded Park Experiences
More Shade & Park Comfort
Waterfront Improvements
Conserve Water & Manage Wildlife
Improve Events & Leverage Cost Recovery
Restore Sea Cloud II
FOSTER CITY’S ORIGINS & KEY CHALLENGES
Baylands were filled to create the city we know today. Image from original Foster City Master Plan (1960).
Climate Change & Sea Level Rise
Water Conservation
Aging Infrastructure
Wildlife Management
DEMOGRAPHICS
•
Slow Population Growth
→
focus on
improving existing facilities
•
Balanced Age Distribution
→
balanced
approach to meeting needs of various ages
•
Diverse Community
→
provide culturally
influenced programs and facilities.
Race & Ethnicity
Age Distribution
Population
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Parks and Recreation Facilities
Programs & Events
Review of Existing Plans + Policies
Parks Inventory + Assessment
System Mapping
Park Usage Analysis
Demographics
+ Recreation Demand
Benchmarking Analysis
Maintenance + Operations Assessment
Level of S
ervice Analysis
Recreation Programming Assessment
EXISTING CONDITIONS
OUTREACH & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
5 Focus Group Meetings
8 Pop
-
up Events
Project Website
2 Workshops
4 Surveys
4 Task Force Meetings
800+ Engaged
71 Engaged
8 4
4 Responses
38 Engaged
18 Engaged
2 ,800+ Views
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Connected Trail System
City Events & Programs
New Park Experiences
Clean/Active
Water & Beaches
Improved Park Comfort
Indoor Recreation
& Swimming
Connected
Trail System
•
Trails are highly valued
, and
residents greatly appreciate
the
Levee Pedway
•
Desire for
additional trails
connecting neighborhoods,
parks, and the Levee Pedway
•
Trail improvements needed,
including increased
lighting
,
signage
, and
safety
City Events &
Programs
•
Residents
love City events
and want them to continue to
be
improved and expanded
•
Need for additional programs
for
fitness, outdoor
recreation, seniors
, and
more.
New Park
Experiences
•
The City has a great park
system, with
fantastic active
recreation facilities
•
Opportunities to further
activate and increase
identity
through
new and
unique experiences
•
Demand for
more passive
spaces
, such as walking
paths, picnic areas, beaches,
and natural open spaces.
GUIDELINES FOR THE FUTURE
Foster City’s parks and
recreation system is
vibrant,
comfortable and responsive
.
Foster City has a
connected
and accessible
parks and
recreation system.
The
Lagoon and Bay are
active and well
-
integrated
within the community.
Foster City has
lively and
inclusive events and
programs
.
Foster City’s parks and
programs are environmentally
sustainable
.
Operational efficiency and
economic feasibility
are
core to park and recreation
management in Foster City.
PARK TYPES & STANDARDS
Park Type
Active
-
use
Amenity
(sport court, field,
aquatic facility, etc.)
Special
Recreation
Amenity
(dog park, skate park,
etc.)
Playground
Walking Loop
Open Lawn
Picnic Areas
Comfort
Amenities
(lighting, seating, trash
cans, water fountains,
etc.)
Restroom
On
-
site
Parking
COMMUNITY PARK
Acres: 5
–
20 • • • • • • • • •
NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
Acres: 1
–
5 • • • • • •
MINI PARK
Acres: .5
–
1 • • •
SPECIAL USE PARK
Acres: Variable • • •
TRAILS & PATHWAYS
Acres: N/A •
•
: Required Feature
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Lagoon Integration
Park Comfort
Water Conservation
Geese Management
Park Activation
PARK SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Improvements Encompass:
•
New/improved
park
experiences
(walking
loops, picnic areas, sports courts, enhanced
playgrounds, etc.)
•
Upgraded infrastructure
(restrooms,
irrigation, etc.)
•
Additional
shade
trees and shelters
•
Low water
-
use / geese
-
deterring
planting
updates
•
Comfort amenities
(seating, lighting,
drinking water, etc.)
•
Improved park
pathways and circulation
(including walking loops)
•
And more...
Park Design Concept for Edgewater Park
PARK SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Some Highlights Include:
•
Shade trees
and
updated
planting
at all parks.
•
New/improved
picnic areas
at Leo
J. Ryan, Catamaran, Boothbay,
Edgewater, and Beach Parks.
•
Walking loops
at Edgewater,
Boothbay, Sea Cloud, and Sunfish
•
Improved waterfront
at the Beach
Parks, Leo J. Ryan, Catamaran and
Sea Cloud.
•
All
-
abilities play
at Boothbay.
•
Pickleball courts
at Leo J Ryan
•
Improved restrooms
at Boat/Dog,
Leo J Ryan, Port Royal, and the
Beach Parks.
•
New/improved
lighting
at most
parks.
RECREATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Key Recommendations
•
Develop and implement a
Community Center Business
Plan
•
Adopt an improved
facility
reservation and permit
system
that integrates online
payments, scheduling, and real
-
time availability.
•
Establish a
clear cost recovery
policy
for Foster City parks,
facilities, programs and events.
•
Expand
high priority
programs
, such as fitness and
wellness, outdoor recreation,
performing/visual arts, cultural
enrichment, and programs for
seniors.
PHASING
PHASING CONSIDERATIONS
ACTION PLAN
PRIORITIZATION
The degree to which each proposed project
aligns City objectives and needs
COST
The overall affordability of
each project
EFFICIENCY
The potential to combine projects to minimize
site disturbance / leverage economies of scale
PHASE 1: 0
-
5 years
Projects, Costs, Potential Funding Sources
PHASE II: 5
-
10 years
Projects, Costs, Potential Funding Sources
PHASE III: 10+ years
Projects, Costs, Potential Funding Sources
Other Projects to Consider
Projects, Costs, Potential Funding Sources
PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA
Community Priority
Alignment with community engagement findings
Functionality, Condition, & Safety
Address critical infrastructure issue, supports park function, supports geese management, etc.
Feasibility
Affordability, funding availability, partnership potential, staff capacity, etc.
Operational Efficiency & Sustainability
Reduces operating costs, increases cost recovery, sustains investments/infrastructure, etc.
Equity
Increased access, underserved demographic, disinvested site, etc.
Environmental Sustainability
Water conservation/quality, biodiversity, wildlife movement, climate resilience, etc.
Resolves Deficiency
Deficient amenity, accommodates future growth (Level of Service)
PARK IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN
SUMMARY OF PHASE I
Shade trees for all parks
Planting & irrigation
updates to deter geese
& conserve water
Remove non
-
functional turf
Paid/improved parking
at Baywinds
Field lighting at Catamaran
Additional Pickleball Courts at Ryan
Improved waterfront at Gull
New Playgrounds at Gull,
Sunfish, Shad
Improved picnic facilities at Sea
Cloud, Ryan, Gull, Baywinds
Maintenance shed at
Sea Cloud
Estimated Cost: $24,399,000
SUMMARY OF PHASE II
Planting & irrigation updates to
deter geese & conserve water
Improved waterfront at
Marlin
New play area at Marlin
Walking loops at Edgewater &
Sea Cloud
New Restroom at Boat/Dog, Marlin
All Abilities Play at
Boothbay
Improved picnic facilities at
Boothbay, Catamaran, Gull
Estimated Cost: $25,415,000
SUMMARY OF PHASE III
Planting & irrigation updates to
deter geese & conserve water
Nature Play at Ryan
New Restroom at Port Royal,
Erckenbrack
Improved waterfront/docking at
Ryan, Erckenbrack, Catamaran,
Sea Cloud
Improved picnic facilities at
Edgewater, Erckenbrack, Farragut,
Ryan, Port Royal
Estimated Cost: $22,568,000
Walking loop at Sunfish
SUMMARY OF OTHER PROJECT TO CONSIDER
Lagoon circulation
fountains at Beach Parks
Sea Cloud II restoration/development
Fitness Stations at
Baywinds, Catamaran
Pathway lighting at
most parks
Estimated Cost: $36,612,000
Terrace seating, gateway
harbor, water feature at
Ryan
Field lighting at Sea Cloud
New amenity at Shorebird
Destination baseball field
at Sea Cloud
FUNDING
Current Funding Strategies
Funding Strategies to Consider
TAKE
-
AWAYS
•
A blended funding strategy is the
strongest path forward.
•
GO bonds remain the most
effective tool for large scale
investment.
•
Foster City benefits from a unique
corporate landscape, which could
be tapped for funding.
•
Grant eligibility is likely strongest
for sustainability
-
related projects.
•
Bonds
•
Landscape & Lighting
Assessment District (LLAD)
•
Community Facilities District
(CFD / MelloRoos)
•
Dedicated Local Sales Tax
•
Naming Rights & Corporate
Sponsorships
•
Parks & Rec Foundation
•
Additional Grants
General Fund
•
Capital Investment
–
City Fund
(Fund 301)
•
Equipment Replacement Fund
(Fund 502)
•
Discretionary General Fund
Transfers
Developer Contributions
•
Park Facilities Impact Fee
(Fund 142)
•
Park
-
in
-
Lieu Fees (Fund 104)
•
Capital Asset Acquisition &
Replacement Fund (Fund 326)
•
Grants & State Funding Programs
•
Special Revenue Contributions via
Sustainability & Housing Funds
ADOPTION PRESENTATION
December 15, 2025
QUESTIONS?