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.
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 or the project budget.
[Updated 6/3/21]
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.
They will be placing orange flags on the access gate 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 6/3/21]
Current Baywinds access to the water via the windsurf/wing ramp to the lower launch beach and the upper launch from Baywinds will be not be impacted during 2021. However, please keep in mind that in 2022, the contractor will need to complete significant work on the trail, access points to the Bay, and wall in the area, which will require further access restrictions. The contractor will provide 30-day notice prior to that work taking place. The contractor anticipates sharing additional timing details in the first quarter of 2022, when the 2022 construction schedule is completed.
[Updated 6/3/21]
The construction team intends to grind out the old path and prep it for construction. There are flood protection elements that need to be constructed adjacent to the Mariner’s Point parking lot.
Work will be taking place for flood wall construction adjacent to that area, though work will likely not take place this year. However, as with the rest of the construction schedule, timing is subject to change. Further noticing will take place once the contractor plans to begin construction in the area.
[Updated 6/3/21]
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.
[Updated 6/3/21]
In general, the project team advises recreational water users to remember that the area, formerly the Bay Trail, is an active construction zone. If you find yourself unable to surf your way back to Baywinds Park, end up beached east of the bridge and are un-injured, we recommend that you safely find your way back to Baywinds Park. If you can walk back safely while staying outside of the construction zone, you should do so. Be advised that during active construction hours, the site is dangerous and needs to be avoided. We encourage you to always be prepared in the event of an unforeseen incident. If you are in distress and unable to self-rescue, you should call 911.
[Updated 6/3/21]
It is unknown at this time when work will begin in the area west of Mariner’s Point. Once the work plans are finalized, a timeline of that work, as well as additional information will be posted as it becomes available. When the construction of the flood wall in that area begins, the work will likely impede anyone who is attempting to park in the Mariner’s parking lot and gain access through the fence.
[ Updated 6/3/21]
The project team will take this request into consideration when developing the 2022 construction schedule. The contractor anticipates sharing additional timing details in the first quarter of 2022, when the 2022 construction schedule is completed.
[Updated 6/3/21]
The project team will take this request into consideration when developing the 2022 construction schedule. The contractor anticipates sharing additional timing details in the first quarter of 2022, when the 2022 construction schedule is completed.
[Updated 6/3/21]
In general, the project team advises recreational water users to remember that the area, formerly the bay trail, is an active construction zone. If you find yourself unable to surf your way back to Baywinds Park and end up beached north of the bridge and are un-injured, we recommend that you safely find your way back to Baywinds Park. If you can walk back safely while staying outside of the construction zone, you should do so. Be advised that during active construction hours, the site is dangerous and needs to be avoided. We encourage you to always be prepared in the event of an unforeseen incident. If you are in distress and unable to self-rescue, you should call 911.
[Updated 6/3/21]
In general, the project team advises recreational water users to remember that the area, formerly the bay trail, is an active construction zone. If you find yourself unable to surf your way back to Bay Winds Park and end up beached north of the bridge and are un-injured, we recommend that you safely find your way back to Bay Winds Park. If you can walk back safely while staying outside of the construction zone, you should do so. Be advised that during active construction hours, the site is dangerous and needs to be avoided. We encourage you to always be prepared in the event of an unforeseen incident. If you are in distress and unable to self-rescue, you should call 911.
[Updated 6/3/21]
The Fire Department will launch from Coyote Point, as they currently do when there is insufficient water at Baywinds. Additional resources may be launched from South San Francisco FD and Redwood City FD.
[Updated 6/3/21]
The rescuee should be prepared to provide their location using landmarks or gps coordinates, relay information on their physical condition pertaining to any injuries they might have and report as to whether or not they are wearing a personal flotation device (PFD). They should also identify as to whether they have proper thermal protection and how many people are in the water needing rescue.
[Updated 6/3/21]
When giving their location in relation to the bridge it’s important that the rescuee identify their location as either San Francisco side or San Jose side of the San Mateo Bridge.
In addition, the City is working with the contractor to have colored banners installed at boat ramps to further help rescuees identify their locations. Once the colored banners are installed, a rescuee will be able to share the color(s) of the closest flag(s) to help rescue workers reach them.
[Updated 6/3/21]
The rescuee should identify their location using any available visible landmarks in their immediate proximity or distance from identifiable landmarks (i.e. “I’m located ½ mile from the San Francisco side of the San Mateo Bridge on the shore on the Baywinds park side of the bay”).
In addition, the City is working with the contractor to have colored banners installed at boat ramps to further help rescuees identify their locations. Once the colored banners are installed, a rescuee will be able to share the color(s) of the closest flag(s) to help rescue workers reach them.
[Updated 6/3/21]
Permanent sheet pile installation and grading on all city-owned and permitted areas are finished which means the City is one step closer to project completion and an upgraded levee wall structure (learn more). There is only one area between Baffin Street and Port Royal Park in the Phase 1 area of the project where this type of work remains to be done.
Though the permanent sheet piles have been installed and graded, there will still be other construction activities within the project area (e.g. concrete cap work) and the contractor may revisit sections of the sheet piles throughout the duration of the project. For the latest information on construction activity, residents are encouraged to subscribe to our weekly construction updates, which can also be reviewed on the News section of the website.
[ Updated 7/21/21]