Full Notification

The City of San Mateo’s Police Department, in partnership with the Fire Department and Parks and Recreation Department, would like to wish you and your family a safe and fun Independence Day!

We encourage our community to celebrate this patriotic holiday while taking time to remember the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom.

This year, the Parks and Recreation Department will host a family-friendly afternoon of fun at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Celebrate with music, arts and crafts, patriotic hair coloring, face painting, an obstacle course and food! The event runs noon to 2 p.m. at the park located at the corner of Monte Diablo Avenue and North Fremont Street. Escape the summer heat at the King Pool, which will be open for recreational swim from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Find out more about San Mateo’s Fourth of July in the Park https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=11558.

In our ongoing effort to keep our community safe, Parks and Recreation will be closing off numerous facilities beginning 6 p.m. Fiesta Meadows Park, Seal Point Park, Ryder Park and Parkside Aquatic will all be closed, barricaded and patrolled to discourage the use of illegal fireworks.

As a reminder all fireworks, even “safe and sane” fireworks, are illegal within the City of San Mateo. The Police Department will be taking a ZERO TOLERANCE approach to enforcement of this important rule. While we understand fireworks may be a cherished pastime, they are extremely dangerous, a fire hazard and disruptive to loved ones including pets. The few minutes of entertainment is not worth the heft $1,000 citation! The San Mateo Police Department will issue citations to ALL parties found in possession of illegal fireworks!

As a legal alternative, consider enjoying lawful fireworks shows in the neighboring communities of Foster City or Redwood City:

Port of Redwood City: fireworks show begins 9:30 p.m.
Foster City: fireworks show begins 9 p.m. at Leo Ryan Park

On behalf of the City of San Mateo, your police officers, firefighters and park rangers wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July!