Changes loom in Coyote Point Yacht Club revamp in San Mateo

People have been recreating in the area for about a century including boaters who unofficially gathered until the Yacht Club was formally established in 1941, around the same time the county took ownership of the site. 

Since then, numerous changes have occurred in the area. Most recently, the county has conducted dredging work in the marina and upgraded the western and eastern promenades with better paths, restrooms and picnicking areas, improved access to the beach and sea-level rise resiliency work. 

A more holistic overhaul of the recreation area is now being considered though, prompting questions about the future of the yacht club. The club owns the building out of which it operates but leases the land from the county for about $3,334 a month, including water and electrical services and access to a guest dock. 

“What we want to do is redefine Coyote Point as a whole and that means redefining the relationships we all have with one another,” County Parks Director Nicholas Calderon said. “Coyote Point is a really valuable resource to a lot of people locally and we want to make sure we’re providing the best services possible for those who visit our county parks and our residents.” 

Club Commodore Mark Shelley and last year’s Commodore Mark Green said they first learned their lease, which expires in September, may not be renewed about three weeks ago. Lease negotiations are common, they said, noting the current 20-year lease they’re under called for Americans with Disabilities Act improvements including upgraded restrooms and an elevator.

Both reiterated that it’s too early to say exactly what the future will hold for the club but shared cautious optimism given that the department has been regularly engaging club leadership in discussions. 

“We want to make sure we secure a solid future there in Coyote Point. It’s in our name, our DNA,” Shelley said. “Communication has been the key and the parks director has been very communicative with us and we’ve had several conference calls with him and we have no reason to believe both sides cannot negotiate in good faith.” 

County Parks spokesperson Carla Shoof said public engagement on the visioning plan is expected to begin in the spring with some design options potentially drafted by late summer. Green and Shelley said they fully support the concept of revitalizing the park, noting it would be good for both the park and the club. 

Calderon, Green and Shelley also agreed that the club brings benefits to the community including boat parades, sailing tours and lessons. The activities, Green said, encourage the public to develop an interest in the marina. 

“There’s an opportunity for both sides here and if we do this right we can really have a win-win,” Green said. “We have a very symbiotic relationship between the park and the marina and the Bay itself here and we feel we’re a key connection to keeping people interested and excited about getting out in the water.” 

As for the future of maritime uses in the area, Calderon said the boating amenities will always exist in the area as long as there’s a Coyote Point Marina, calling the infrastructure very important to the community. 

“This has never been about wanting to throw the club out,” Calderon said. “This has always been about how we provide better services to the public.”