Parks & Recreation Department

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“Creating Community through People, Parks, and Programs”

The Foster City Parks and Recreation Department efforts preserve and improve Foster City’s beauty and recreational attractions. Foster City boasts of over 160 acres of park and open space land including bike paths, dog exercise areas, a lighted softball field, numerous soccer and youth baseball fields, tennis courts (night playing available), basketball courts, picnic facilities, bocce ball courts, walkways and pedway, and a wildlife refuge. Some park areas can be reserved by Foster City residents. Dog policies vary from park to park, but all require that you please clean up after your dog and keep your dog on a leash.

Foster City’s lagoon system and miles of waterways covering a surface area of more than 200 acres, provide numerous recreational opportunities. Many residents like to sunbathe along the grassy shoreline and there are two free launching ramps located at Ryan Park and Boat Park for person-powered, wind-powered, and electric watercraft.

Powerboats are prohibited at all times on the lagoon. Sailing on the beautiful blue lagoon that winds five miles throughout the City is one of the most popular leisure sport activities.

Ryan Park, which encompasses fourteen acres overlooking the Main Lagoon, the largest water expanse in the lagoon system, is home to the William Walker Recreation Center. If you are interested in participating in recreation programs, come to the Recreation Center, 650 Shell Boulevard, to sign up. You may also register online at www.fostercity.org, or by either faxing or mailing in your completed registration form. The fax number is (650) 345-1408. Classes, activities, and special events are publicized through the department’s quarterly brochure, the Leisure Update. The Leisure Update is mailed to all City residents in the months of February, May, August and November.

A wide variety of classes is offered year-round. Parents appreciate the morning preschool programs and children’s recreation classes. Meeting the needs of adults, teens, and the youth of the community, the Parks and Recreation Department offers interesting and challenging classes in diverse areas such as creative arts, sports, and fitness. The Recreation Center site includes the Senior Wing and Teen Center “The Vibe.” Summer activities for school children include Camp Koala, Camp Outback, Camp Way Outback, Middle School Madness, as well as various other programs.

For the active sports enthusiast, there are team sports, including organized softball, basketball, bocce ball and volleyball, which can be enjoyed through a variety of adult sports leagues offered throughout the year. The William Walker Recreation Center and the Community Center (above the Library) are available for rentals by both community-based organizations and individuals. These centers are great locations for meetings, wedding receptions and parties, so make reservations early. Foster City residents may reserve the Recreation Center and Community Center facilities up to 12 months prior to the date of the event. Non-residents may reserve the rooms up to 10 months in advance of the proposed use of the building. A rental packet, which describes further requirements regarding resident and non-resident applications for building use, is available to the public by calling 286-3380 or by dropping by the Recreation Center.