Leo J Ryan Memorial Park
Rate this placeNearby: Arcturus Park Edgewater Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Leo J Ryan Memorial Park is a popular destination located in Foster City, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Summary
The park is named after a former Congressman, Leo J Ryan, who was assassinated in Guyana in 1978 while investigating the Jonestown Massacre.
There are several great reasons to visit the park, including its beautiful scenery, numerous recreational activities, and interesting cultural attractions. The park features multiple picnic areas, playgrounds, soccer fields, tennis courts, and a skate park. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking on the lagoon.
One of the main attractions of Leo J Ryan Memorial Park is the Japanese Tea Garden, which includes a koi pond, a bridge, and a traditional teahouse. The garden offers a peaceful and serene environment and is a great place to relax and unwind.
Another point of interest is the Amphitheater, which hosts numerous events and concerts throughout the year. The amphitheater can accommodate up to 400 people and offers plenty of seating and shade.
Interesting facts about the park include its history as a landfill site that was converted into a recreational area in the 1970s. The park was named after Congressman Leo J Ryan in 1983, and a memorial plaque was erected in his honor.
The best time of year to visit Leo J Ryan Memorial Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and can be enjoyed during all seasons.
In conclusion, Leo J Ryan Memorial Park is a beautiful and diverse park that offers something for everyone. From recreational activities to cultural attractions, visitors are sure to have a great time exploring this hidden gem in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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