Foster City Playgrounds and Other Amenities to Reopen

For Immediate Release: October 7, 2020
Contact: Jennifer Liu, Parks & Recreation Director, (650) 286-3380, jliu@fostercity.org 

On September 28, the CA Department of Public Health issued new guidance on the usage of outdoor playgrounds. In line with the recent guidelines, the City is happy to share that playgrounds, basketball courts, all park bathrooms, the Fitness Court, and the Skate Park will reopen, with restrictions, by October 8. Parks staff began preparing for a safe reopening of these amenities on Monday, October 5, by sanitizing all sixteen (16) playgrounds, removing fencing from the Fitness Court and Skate Park, and finalizing recommended signage. 

The CA Department of Public Health guidance emphasizes the responsibilities of both the owner and the user.  To that end, staff has increased the frequency of sanitization of facilities, actively posted guidance and capacities for the parks and playground, and provided updates through social media.  Before revisiting these amenities, please become familiar with the visitor requirements below:

• Wear a face covering or mask 
• Maintain social distance 
• No food or drink 
• Wash hands frequently 
• Plan ahead 
• Know when to stay home 
• Share the space (limit your visit to 30 minutes while others are present)

To recap, OPEN Parks and Recreation facilities (with social distancing guidelines) include:

• Playgrounds
• Bathrooms
• Sport Courts: tennis, pickleball, basketball, and bocce ball
• Fitness Court
• Skate Park
• Athletic Fields for Foster City-based youth organized sports and groups less than ten only
• Socially distanced compliant community events organized by the Parks and Recreation Department

Parks and Recreation facilities NOT currently open and limited services available include:

• Park Rentals – park rentals are currently not available except for the Amphitheater for organized functions of 50 attendees or worship of 100 attendees
• Athletic Fields – no permits for organized adult sports or groups of 10 or more attendees
• Recreation Center, The Vibe, Community Center – open for targeted programming only, such as learning hubs “pod squads”

It is up to all of us to slow the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to follow social distancing and face covering precautions so we may all recreate safely. For questions, email recreation@fostercity.org. 

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