Parkside Aquatic Park and Launch Ramp

What a hidden treasure right in (practically) our backyard. I will definitely keep this place in mind for a hot summer get together BBQ. Will come back again with my bathing suit next time!

always loved this place ever since i was young. Looks small now since I’m older but its ok because my daughter loves this place too now. Drive down here from sf just for the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

I’ve lived in the Peninsula for 12 years and have been asking everyone where can you find some Bay side of the water beach? For some unknown reason, whomever does the planning of these communities never left any real, sandy beaches for people to use. I think the horrible, bacteria ridden water might have something to do with it.
Whether the little strip of sandy beach is clean or not (I’m suggesting not, it’s very small with lots of pooping seagulls on it and God knows what), it is on a manmade lagoon, which means it’s going to be stagnant and it is. I went for the first time last week and saw many families making use of the playground and even some in the water (which they clearly shouldn’t have been according to the warning signs of the bacteria). Much of the beach is cordoned off, and some of the landing piers as well that are in disrepair. On the other side of the park, they have very interesting, private like picnic areas and some people were starting a BBQ party.
I don’t see anyone mentioning when the snack bar and rentals open, but I’m hoping to take children here this summer for some local (not having to drive all the way to HMB in major traffic) fun.

To be straight forward, if the water wasn’t so terrifying I’d probably give the park five stars.

I have been coming to this park for various reasons for quite a few years now. From babysitting to now bringing my own daughter, this park is always clean and quiet.
They have a nice play structure and a clean sandy beach with water you can even go in.
I recommend this park to anyone in the area. Only thing is that its in a residential neighborhood so you may want to look up the directions carefully!
Also, the Fish Market is just a few blocks away so you should hit up that spot too before or after enjoying the outdoors!

I almost don’t want to leave a review because I don’t want people to find this place. It’s the perfect beach for kids. Short walk from the car, there are 2 play structures for kids of various ages, not crowded at all, so plenty of room for ball playing, and there is also a snack bar, bathrooms, and kayak rental. Perfect. No warnings about the water quality today — tons of kids were swimming.

BEWARE SWIMMING AT THIS PARK
My wife’s mom’s group raved about this park, with no mention of the risk. Many children (and some adults) were in the water today, despite bad water quality.
It’s easy to be unaware of the water quality problem.
* As of this review, at least one county webpage says this park «features swimming», with no mention of the risk.
* A warning sign at the park cites only the lack of lifeguard.
* The special water quality signs at the park can be easy to miss.
* Swimming buoys aren’t removed when water quality is bad.
* Water quality can be bad without being apparently so.
To check this park’s water quality, you can:
* Look at one of the specific water quality signs. They’re always there, with a removable section indicating the current water quality (like fire danger signs at parks).
* Consult this webpage:
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The park itself is very nice; and, when safe, the water is delightful. But San Mateo County can easily and cheaply do a better job of communicating about the water quality.

We came today because it was so hot and we thought we’d try a bay beach because the pools aren’t really open yet. I had read the reviews and thought it might be worth a try for some wading and play for my toddlers. However, when we arrived we saw a few signs posted warning against any water contact. On further investigation there was sewage contamination and they warned against getting in the water for flu-​like symptoms and worse. Also, by the shore there was a lot of fecal matter– from birds. Kind of gross. So– buzz kill– we ended up playing on the playground for a bit– digging in the sand, and then going home and putting out our kiddie pool, so it ended up not being a complete waste– but still a bit of a waste of time.

We never knew this expansive park existed until attending a birthday party here. This is a popular park, and I could see why, especially on a hot day.
Features include:
* Beach for swimming with sand and everything (I have no idea about the water quality)
* Playground
* Picnic areas
* Boating with launch ramp
* Restrooms
* Parking lot
The day we were here, the lot got full and we needed to park in the nearby neighborhood, which wasn’t a problem. There were several dogs on leash. Parents need to keep a watchful eye on their little ones, as they can rush into the water without any fence keeping them away from the water’s edge.

Just leaving this park. Giving this a star for trying, but this park is gross and dirty. Maybe its better in the summer?

I recently discovered this place and I love it. I have two toddlers and this a great spot to bring them when I am trying to get out of the FOG. The park is clean with a wonderful beach and 2 playgrounds feet away from the shoreline. Both playgrounds seem very new and nice, no rotting wood or splinters in sight. One playground is for the smaller ones and the other playground it suitable for the bigger kids, both play areas are feet away from each other so you can keep an eye on both play areas. They have picnic areas, bbq grills, and plenty of shady spots under the trees. There are bathrooms very close by that are reasonably clean at least for a beach bathrooms. Parking is very easy and convenient. I really like that since this place in part of the Foster city water way the beach is calm and gentle. I felt very comfortable letting my kids play at the shore without the normal feeling of looming death from a big wave or rip current. Yay, we will be coming for many years to come.

This place is so cute! We recently took our son here to experience his first park and it was a great time. I’d never been here before but it looks like a great place to throw a party. Quite a few picnic tables with bbq grills, a grassy area, two play structures, and the sandy beach water front where you can actually bring a canoe or kayak!
We definitely will be hosting a birthday party or two at this place =)

Cute park on the water with a small beach! Picnic tables, kayaking and playground equipment.

I took my 2 year old here. He had a great time. There were no waves which was great to introduce your kid to the beach. There are 2 play area which he also like. The beach is dirty and people should pick up after themselves. Overall I would recommend this beach to younger kids.

This park is pretty nice. The only major complaint is the currently playground equipment is small and doesn’t offer a lot. They are building a new piece of equipment, but it is taped off and for the month I have been going there, there doesn’t seem to be any change yet.
The beach is okay. They do have a problem with birds there so there is some poop, but manageable. The water is warm and doesn’t get very deep so there is ample space for small ones to play without worry of going too far or too deep. It is very popular, especially for picnics, but I believe on the other end of the park is an area you can reserve.

A nice little park along the water. We had the picnic section to the far left with nice shade. The grills are small, though, with only one table at each grill. Otherwise, it was a very nice space for our picnic.

Such a nice area for kids. There are trees, a sandy beach, picnic tables, and a playground area. I also heard the water was warm, but we were wondering where exactly it came from — the Bay? or was it more like a pond, because there was no obvious tide change? It was actually salty, so the Bay was the decided winner. Anyway.
I came here for a kid’s birthday party, for which the place seems quite popular. They needed to stake out the place at 6a… and for good reason — other people began arriving to claim space at 6:15. Yikes.
As usual at parks, the bathrooms leave something to be desired. There are the things that can’t be helped, like how the floors in all the stalls are really wet from the people coming in from the water (have to remind myself that that is, indeed, what it is). And how the faucets are the kind that you have to push down and keep held down for any water to come out. However, I will hand it to them that there were tp, soap, AND paper towels available.
Right before we left, I saw that one of the women in our group had a huge green caterpillar in her hands, and it was actually WRITHING. This was not a normal little caterpillar that walks around. It reminded me of the thing in Pan’s Labyrinth with the eyes in its hands, I think because it looked like a little green sock had been pulled over its body.
«It’ll be a pretty butterfly someday.»