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Department of Parks Home

Welcome to San Mateo County Department of Parks. We are here to provide you with recreational opportunities in a safe and effective manner, and to protect and enhance the natural resources of the County.

Our Mission: Through stewardship, the San Mateo County Department of Parks preserves our County's natural and cultural treasures, and provides safe, accessible parks, recreation and learning opportunities to enhance the community's quality of life.

The Department operates 17 separate parks, three regional trails and numerous other county and local trails encompassing 15,680 acres. They are located throughout the County and represent a wide variety of natural settings including a coastside marine reserve, a bayside recreational area, coastal mountain woodland areas, and urban sites.

What's New?

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Now make your reservations on line!

The new San Mateo County Parks Department on line reservations system is now live. To reserve a site navigate to the  park you wish to use and read under "Reservations" or go directly to the facility you wish to reserve via our  Facilities Index. If you know which facility you wish to reserve go directly to our on line reservation system.

bullet San Mateo County Parks is soliciting proposals for the operation and maintenance of Historic Folger Estate Stables at Wunderlich Park. Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wed, June 30, 2010. Download the Request For Proposals (RFP). See written questions and answers. Addendum: Changes to Timeline.
bullet Crystal Springs Dam Bridge Closure: Begins August 2010 - The Crystal Springs Dam Bridge will be closed for four years beginning August 2010. North and southbound traffic on Skyline Boulevard, both automobile and bicycle, will be re-routed. Access from the south on Sawyer Camp Trail will be blocked and an alternate path identified. More information.
bullet Flood Park Closure: September - 30, 2010 to June 20, 2011 - San Francisco Public Utilities commission (SFPUC) is making reliability upgrades to the water supply pipelines in their system. As a result of the work on the pipelines, Flood County Park will be closed from September 30, 2010 to June 20, 2011. Thanks you for your understanding. More information.
bullet RV Camping is now available at San Mateo County Coyote Point Recreation Area. Visit http://reservations.eparks.net for site photos, information, pricing and to check availability for staying at Coyote Point Park. Be sure to enter RV Camping at Coyote Point as the "Use Type." Enjoy!
bullet Take A Hike 2010 - check out the schedule for this event.
bullet On February 11th the Parks Department held a groundbreaking for the Bill and Jean Lane Educational Center at Edgewood Park.
bullet The Seal Cove Stairway construction project will result in temporary trail closure. See the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve page for more info.
bullet Parks Commission meetings will now begin at 4:00 p.m.
bullet Green Force Youth Crews - See what hard-working high school-aged youth have been doing to improve our parks.
bullet The Midcoast Parks and Recreation Committee develops yearly projects that improve our parks.
bullet Track progress on the San Mateo County Trails Master Plan Update.
bullet How are we doing? Take our customer survey.
bullet  San Mateo Annual Park Pass now available.
bullet  Commemorative Benches are a great way to recognize or memorialize individuals, groups or historic events. Benches at Magic Mountain Playground and other limited locations are now available. A minimum donation of $3,500 is requested. See Gifts & Donations.

Photograph of Sam McDonald Park

Volunteers Wanted! Commit now to help your County Parks: trail building, trail patrol; habitat restoration; park clean-up, docent tours. To get involved see our schedule of volunteer events.

E-MAIL US

Website last updated August 3rd, 2009

Latest Parks Planning Efforts Upcoming Commission Meetings

San Mateo County Department of Parks 455 County Center, 4th Floor Redwood City, CA. 94063
Tel: (650) 363-4020 Fax: (650) 599-1721 Office Hours M-Th 8AM-5PM, Closed Fridays

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