What’s Happening (as of 9/9/19)

The California State Lands Commission staff recommended that the park proposal for the Burlingame bayfront site move to the lease negotiation stage. While the recommendation of the State Lands Commission staff is a wonderful first step, there are hurdles to cross prior to this land becoming a nature park. The SPHERE Institute must still negotiate the details of the lease with the State Lands Commission staff. If those negotiations are successful, the Commissioners must then vote whether to approve the nature park proposal in late October. At any time during either of these two phases, the agency could decide that the park is not appropriate or feasible, and could re-open the Request for Proposals process.

Committee for Green Foothills is continuing with its efforts to ensure that the State Lands Commission knows there is broad support for the Burlingame Shoreline Park proposal. In addition to the public, there is an alliance of housing, labor, social justice, and environmental groups supporting this park proposal that would have climate resilient features, improve access to the Bay for all, and greater recreational opportunities. The proposal has received support from among others Housing for All Burlingame, Nuestra Casa, Outdoor Afro, San Mateo Building Trades Council, San Mateo Labor Council, Save the Bay, Baykeeper, Greenbelt Alliance and the Sierra Club.

We will keep you informed as to the progress of this proposal at the State Lands Commission. Thank you for your support!

Why It’s Important

As 90% of the Bay’s historic wetlands have been lost to development, this is a remarkable opportunity to reclaim shoreline habitat including wetlands that serve an important role in climate resilience and mitigating for sea level rise. It will also provide a much needed public park in an underserved area.

What You Can Do

Send a letter to the State Lands Commission in support of a proposal for a nature park on the entire 9 acre publicly owned Bayfront parcel in Burlingame. Share this email with friends and family so others have the opportunity to speak up for the Burlingame Shoreline Park. Please join me in speaking up for a park, wetlands, climate resilience, and public access today!