DATE: July 20, 2026
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, 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 14-16, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving a temporary use permit on August 14-16, 2026, for the annual Foster City Birthday Celebration, Summer Days, at Leo J. Ryan Park and authorize 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 Park, The VIBE Teen Center, and parking lot for Foster City Summer Days from 9:00 AM on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, until 5:00 AM on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Associated street closures for the event will occur between Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and Tuesday, August 18, 2026, as follows:
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 roundabout 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 roundabout on the PJCC campus to be closed.
In addition, the Leo J. Ryan Park meadow will be unavailable from Monday, August 10 at 8:00 AM for placement and breakdown of some of the carnival rides through Tuesday, August 18, at 12:00 PM.
Signage will be placed on A-frames to draw attention to the parking lot and street closures. Information about the parking lot and street closures will also be shared through the City's electronic marquee, monthly e-newsletter, City Calendar, the event website, and 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. 2026 Summer Days Activity Schedule:
Carnival (Meadow & Shell Boulevard)
Friday, August 14 - 5:00 PM-10:30 PM
Saturday, August 15 - 11:00 AM-11:00 PM
Sunday, August 16 - 11:00 AM-7:00 PM
Craft Vendors (Shell Boulevard)
Saturday, August 15 - 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
Sunday, August 16 - 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Food and Beverage (Shell Boulevard & Parking Lot)
Saturday, August 15 - 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Sunday, August 16 - 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Entertainment (Amphitheater & Shell Boulevard)
Friday, August 14 – 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Saturday, August 15 - 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Sunday, August 16 - 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
ANALYSIS
The street festival concept encompasses a significant portion of Leo J. Ryan Park, as well as the Community Center. The proposed layout for 2026 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 11 until 5:00 AM on Tuesday, August 18. Due to the loss of access to the Community 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 13 until 5:00 AM on Monday, August 17.
Balclutha Drive (between the roundabout on the PJCC campus and Shell Boulevard) closed to through traffic from 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 13 until 5:00 AM on Monday, August 17.
Shell Boulevard exit from South Service Road of the PJCC campus will be closed from 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 13 until 5:00 AM on Monday, August
17. Shell Boulevard exit from Civic Center Drive will be closed from 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 13 until 5:00 AM on Monday, August 17. Leo Ryan Park meadow will be temporarily closed to the public from 8:00 AM on Monday, August 10, through 12:00 PM on Tuesday, August 18, to allow for the setup of carnival attractions. This location is a new addition to this year’s event preparations.
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
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Public Safety/Social Equity
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.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Summer Days Event Map