Attention Recreational Water Users Who Utilize Baywinds Park for Access
The City, the Levee Improvements Project team, and the contractor (Shimmick) have been working together to provide accommodations for recreational water users’ access from Baywinds Park during construction. The contractor has indicated they do not anticipate performing major work in the Baywinds Park area for this season, through 2021. Some minor work will occur, and those areas will be fenced off to the public (see map for fenced areas).
Through end of 2021, access to the bay will remain available for recreational water users launching and returning to the park and the beach area (near Lakeside Dr.) only.
There will be no shoreline access beyond the beach to the San Mateo Bridge, and no special shoreline return/exit points (except for emergencies) as this section will remain an active construction area. Because of this it is crucial that recreational water users return to Baywinds Park or the beach when exiting the water. This is an important safety measure. We are asking representatives of the boarding community to encourage all new or beginning boarders to not enter the water if they cannot be certain they will be able to exit at those identified points only.
Please keep in mind that after end of year 2021 the contractor will need to complete significant trail, access points to the Bay, and wall work in the area, which will require further access restrictions. The contractor will provide 30- day notice prior to that work taking place.
The Contractor has been in contact with Foster City Fire and Rescue teams regarding emergency access during project construction. There will be an access point available in the event of emergencies only, which cannot be used for recreational egress.


Annual Boardsailing Safety Conference
Recreational water users have the opportunity to attend the Annual Boardsailing Safety Conference on Saturday, April 10 from 10:00 AM. – 12:00 PM at Baywinds Park, hosted by the Foster City Boardsailing Community. Representatives from the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department and other local first responders will be in attendance.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no solar call boxes currently onsite. This would not be feasible to maintain inside the active construction zone areas. Nor is it within the contractor’s scope of work.
[Updated 3/24/21]
Again, if there is an emergency call 911. The contractor has coordinated with Fire and Rescue. They will be placing an access gate with orange flags that will give Fire and Rescue access directly from E. 3rd Ave should they need to perform any sort of water rescue. Fire & Rescue will have a key to that gate so they can respond to a 911 emergency call, and their dispatch can tell the responders to go to the ”Orange Gate.”
[Updated 3/24/21]
If there is an emergency call 911. The contractor has been in contact with Foster City Fire and Rescue teams regarding emergency access during project construction. There will be an access point available in the event of emergencies only, which cannot be used for recreational egress. The emergency gate placement will be on 3rd Ave between Foster City Blvd. and Lincoln Center Dr.
[Updated 3/25/21]
Please keep in mind that after end of year 2021 the contractor will need to complete significant trail, access points to the Bay, and wall work in the area, which will require further access restrictions. The contractor will provide 30- day notice prior to that work taking place.
[Updated 3/24/21]
The contractor does have this area fenced off as they intend to grind out the old path and prep it for construction prior to the end of the year (2021). There are flood protection elements that need to be constructed adjacent to the Mariner’s Point parking lot. That area is fenced off and work will be taking place for floodwall construction adjacent to that area. If you need to access the upper launch west of Baywinds Park, please use the trail from the Baywinds parking lot.
[Updated 3/25/21]
Through the end of 2021, access to the bay will remain available for recreational water users launching and returning to the park and the beach area (near Lakeside Dr.) only.
There will be no shoreline access beyond the beach to the San Mateo Bridge, and no special shoreline return/exit points (except for emergencies) as this section will remain an active construction area. Because of this it is crucial that recreational water users return to Baywinds Park or the beach when exiting the water. This is an important safety measure. We are asking representatives of the boarding community to encourage all new or beginning boarders to not enter the water if they cannot be certain they will be able to exit at those identified points only.
[Updated 3/24/21]
The City, the Levee Improvements Project team, and the contractor (Shimmick) have been working together to provide accommodations for recreational water users’ access from Baywinds Park during construction. The contractor has indicated they do not anticipate performing major work in the Baywinds Park area for this season, through 2021. Some minor work will occur, and those areas will be fenced off to the public (see map for fenced areas).
[Updated 3/24/21]
The construction fencing is being installed per the plans and specifications. If someone washes ashore near the San Mateo Bridge (particularly once sheet piles get installed) they will have to walk back toward the beach area where they would be able access the parking lot from the beach. There is no plan to provide special egress near the San Mateo Bridge.
Please note that at this stage of the construction, the sheet piles are quite high and access ramps are not installed yet. The only access will be the emergency access noted prior (on 3rd Ave between Foster City Blvd. and Lincoln Center Dr.). As the construction activities progress there will be access points at ramps per the construction designs. It is not currently known when ramps will be installed, but information will be posted as it becomes available.

This photo of sheet pile shows the approximate height of the sheet piles north of the San Mateo Bridge when they are initially installed. A 6-foot-long level is leaning against the sheet pile for scale.

This photo shows an example of the type of grading operations that will be taking place on the land side of the sheet pile wall.
[Updated 4/9/21]
The work plans for this work are not complete yet, but information will be posted as it becomes available.
[ Updated 4/9/21]
There are a variety of constraints on this work due to permits and environmental regulations. The timing of this is not known at this time, partially due to the revised fencing provided in that area to accommodate the kiteboarder’s extended access to the southern turf area and beach. Once the work plans are finalized, information will be posted as it becomes available.
[ Updated 4/9/21]
The sheet pile work from the San Mateo Bridge to Baywinds is anticipated to start sometime between May 1 and June 30, assuming there are no unforeseen circumstances. The work will begin from the bridge and work its way towards Baywinds Park. The estimated time for completion is summer or early fall 2021 if there are no issues.
[ Updated 4/9/21]
Construction of the flood wall in the area will likely impede anyone who is attempting to park in the Mariner’s parking lot and gain access through the fence. Once the work plans are finalized, a timeline of that work, as well as additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
[ Updated 4/9/21]