The Natural History of Foster City, California

by James K. Sayre

a draft manuscript

12 May 2005

Chapter 23: Natural Areas of Foster City

Foster City has several interesting areas in which nature may be observed in varying degrees of naturalness:

.i.Ryan Park; is located in the center of Foster City, where Hillsdale Blvd. intersects Shell Blvd. It has bicycle and walking paths which extend around the rim of the central Lagoon. In the winter, many water birds spend time here. A good pair of binoculars and a bird guide are needed, for the birds are often quite a distance offshore and are often difficult to identify positively. The Ryan Park, named after the area's late Congressman is covered with mowed lawns and landscaped with many interesting trees, shrubs and flowers. The Recreation Center is in mid-park and features many activities available for residents and other interested individuals.

The .i.outer levee bikeway; along Beach Park Blvd. gives access to the outer mudflats along the eastern side of the City. The small shell and sand beach area is located between Marlin Avenue and Tarpon Street. This is one of the best areas for observing water birds. The best time for observing feeding activity is after the crest of the high tide, usually two to four hours later. Some interesting plants grow along the edge of the land, including the gum plant, sweet fennel and sea lavender. In the areas which actually are in the tidal zone and experience partial coverage by bay salt water

have cordgrass and pickleweed growing in favorable environments.

On the bayside of this large oystershell-based land area off of the levee near Marlin Avenue, there is a small pond of brackish water. On the land side, a large redwood log is sitting; it is about four feet in diameter and about ten feet long. Growing on the top of this old log are moss and lichens, common groundsel and a four inch tall sow thistle blooming on 2/20/95.

The .i.San Mateo County Fishing Pier;, located just south of the San Mateo - Hayward Bridge, is the western end of the original San Mateo - Hayward Toll Bridge. It has its own parking lot off of Beach Park Blvd. It is also accessible from the outer levee bikeway. It extends about 3800 feet out into the Bay and offers fishing, bird watching and excellent close-up views of the bridge. There is a small .i.freshwater pond; located between the parking lot and the bikepath. After heavy winter rains, it is greatly expanded in area. It is home to mallards, gulls and frogs in the spring.

The .i.fennel field;, which lies on the eastern edge of the city off of Beach Park Blvd. is another interesting area for nature observation. .i.Black-tailed jackrabbits; live here in some numbers. They can often be observed feeding on the grasses and other plants growing in the area. They are most active and most visible in the early morning and evening hours. The City of Foster City lists in its General Plan a .i.Foster City Marina; to be built along the north edge of the Belmont Slough, in an area adjacent to what is now the Belmont Slough Wildlife Refuge. Several times the Planning Commission and the City Council have approved plans for a Marina, but each time its construction has been stopped by environmental concerns and threats of delays through lawsuits. In March, 1980, a Final Environmental Impact Report on the Foster City Marina was issued by the City. In December, 1984, a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed Foster City Marina was prepared [Earth Metrics Inc.]. In April, 1985, the Foster City Council approved a 784-berth Marina [Lakey]. This project required the approval of the Army Corps of Engineers, the California Fish and Game Commission and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission [Lakey]. The .i.concrete letters spelling out "FOSTER CITY" ;were cast in the Fennel Field as the initial construction of the city began. Every summer city workers bulldoze the fennel from around the concrete letters and the following spring the fennel returns with new growth.

A large .i.brush fire; occurred in the fennel field on 8/30/95 at about 5 PM. It started near the eastern edge of the field and burned rapidedly to the south and west. The firemen limited its advance to the cutover area with the large concrete letters which spell out FOSTER CITY in the middle of the field. It will be interesting to observe if there are any observable differences between plant and animal life in the burnt and unburnt areas next spring.

Observations on .i.burned over fennel field; on 11/7/96, some two months after the brush fire: a few fennel plants showing 1" of new growth at base of burnt stalks; a couple of pickleweed plants showing up to 5" of new growth. Some Coyotebrush is showing new green growth. Small loose flocks of Meadowlarks, Mourning Doves and White-crowned Sparrows seen foraging in burnt areas. Also flushed out a Marsh Hawk and a nearby Black-tailed Hare. One Flicker was also seen in the burnt part of the fennel field.

On 12/20/95, about a week after the first heavy rains, much green grasses were observed sprouting in the burned over areas. Also, Mourning Doves, White-crowned Sparrows and a Flicker were observed feeding in these areas.

The .i.big saline pond;, which lies between the Belmont Slough and the lagoon at the end of Wheelhouse Lane is habitat for many water birds in the winter. In the winter, this basin can be covered with water to occupy about ten acres.

The vacant lot behind the City Government buildings, which is currently reserved for a high school, provides habitat for many plants and animals. Seagulls, pigeons, and crows can be seen feeding in the winter and spring. Some jackrabbits also make this area their home.

The .i.Belmont Slough Wildlife Refuge;, which was officially created and dedicated in the bicentennial year, 1976, is home to many plants and animals. Water birds are abundant here. Several species of large wading birds can be observed here including the Great Blue Heron, the Common Egret, the Snowy Egret and the Black-crowned Night Heron.

.i.Sandy Beach;, Marlin Park, on the inner lagoon, Marlin Avenue, 6/18/95, a floral survey of plants growing in the sand.

Grasses, poa spp.

Plantain

Brass buttons

Sow thistle

Rabbit's foot grass

Dandelion

sweet yellow or bur clover

End.

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