SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION FOUNDATION

ALL OF THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS HAVE A SINGLE FOCUS-PROMOTING, ADVOCATING FOR, PRESERVING, AND IMPROVING SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS. THE SUPPORT FROM THE FOUNDATION IS DIRECTED TOWARDS:- MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING PARK INFRASTRUCTURE;- PROVIDING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES PARTICULARLY FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH;- PROTECTING AND RESTORING HABITAT FOR THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES;- SUPPORTING VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS;- MANAGING THE SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS COMMEMORATIVE BENCH AND TABLE PROGRAM.THIS SUPPORT IS EXECUTED BOTH DIRECTLY THROUGH THE FOUNDATION'S OWN SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND INDIRECTLY THROUGH ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS.THE FOUNDATION FUNDS SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS' PRESENCE ON THE FREE APP STQRY, PAYS FOR THE PARK ENTRY FEES FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY HEALTH PATIENTS AS PART OF THE FOUNDATION'S PARK PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM, HAS PROVIDED PART OF THE FUNDING FOR THE REMOVAL OF DISEASED AND DANGEROUS TREES AT COYOTE POINT, AND SUPPORTED MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AT MEMORIAL PARK. THE FOUNDATION AWARDS SMALL GRANTS TO COUNTY PARK RANGERS TO PURCHASE WILDFIRE-PREVENTION AND OTHER TOOLS, REPAIR BRIDGES AND CULVERTS, AND INSTALL NEW ADA AMENITIES SUCH AS WATER FOUNTAINS. IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, AMONG OTHER EFFORTS, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS STEWARDSHIP OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES AT HUDDART PARK. CONSERVATION EFFORTS HAVE FOCUSED ON THE REMOVAL OF FIRE-PRONE FRENCH BROOM WHICH HAS ALLOWED IRIS, MONKEYFLOWER, AND HONYESUCKLE TO RETURN ON ITS OWN.THE FOUNDATION SPONSORS "BICYCLE SUNDAY", A YEAR-ROUND EVENT THAT CLOSES CANADA ROAD TO AUTOMOBILES EVERY SUNDAY SO CYCLISTS HAVE SAFE, CAR-FREE ACCESS TO THE ROAD.THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS VOLUNTEER GROUPS IN ACCOMPLISHING THEIR MISSIONS RANGING FROM TRAINING DOCENTS TO ORGANIZING GROUPS FOR LITTER CLEANUP, TO PROVIDING TOOLS FOR WEEDING AND REPLANTING WITH NATIVE PLANTS.