Peninsula pooch owners rejoice in new park
By: Katie Worth
Examiner Staff Writer
March 26, 2009
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| For the dogs: Foster City upgraded its pooch park to include synthetic turf, new lighting and drainage and picnic tables. |
FOSTER CITY — It’s possible that not everyone would agree with this city’s claim that it’s home to “the premier dog park in San Mateo County,” but you’re not hearing any argument from Cooper.
The sandy-blond toy poodle from San Bruno was ecstatic to return to Foster City’s dog park after it had been closed for a month and a half for improvements, said human companion Regina Eustaquio.
The 20,000-square-foot park is located at the corner of Bounty Drive and Foster City Boulevard, adjacent to Boat Park.
There are other dog parks closer to her house, but none are as nice as Foster City’s, she said.
“I couldn’t wait for it to reopen,” she said. “We were going to [San Mateo’s dog park at] Seal Point, but it has real grass and in the winter it can become just a mud pit. I was bathing them every other day.”
Foster City spent about $120,000 for the dog-park improvements, which included installing new synthetic turf for both its big-dog and little-dog areas, upgrading the lighting and drainage, adding a picnic table, installing signs, and improving the gates.
The city will celebrate the dog park’s makeover at noon April 2, complete with refreshments, prizes and doggy treats.
Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Miller said his department has received very positive responses to the changes, which were meant to make the park nicer not only for canines but also for humans.
“You go to a dog park nowadays and it’s well beyond just being a place for dogs to exercise and socialize,” he said. “It’s really a meeting place for people, too. So it’s got to have those two dynamics: the human piece and the dog piece.”
Eustaquio would agree. She said she’s seen many friendships formed between humans as their dogs romped.
“People are just great here. They tolerate my Napoleonic little poodle,” she said, laughing.
The park clearly has its share of devotees, many coming from outside Foster City.
Redwood City resident Monica Loomis, companion to two snowy-white Samoyeds, said she started coming to Foster City’s park after she had a negative experience at a different one when her dog was attacked by another canine.
“She was just a puppy at the time, and it was really scary,” Loomis said. “Here it seems like there’s good owners and safe dogs.”
Foster City’s Dog Park gets new look:
- • Installation of new synthetic turf to the big dog and little dog areas
- • Upgrades to lighting
- • Improved drainage, specifically around the drinking fountain
- • Addition of picnic table
- • Improved gate entrances
- • New signage
