Swimming at Crane Cove Park is PROHIBITED.
Wading to the buoy line closest to shore is safe and demarcates the safe area outside of the dangers listed below.
The beach at Crane Cove Park was designed to support human powered boating, such as kayaks, canoes, and SUPs, but not swimming. During the extensive community outreach process (over 50 public meetings) throughout the park design, it was determined that a beach would be the most functional method of providing human powered boating access to the bay while also providing an amenity for play and relaxation on a beach.
During the community outreach process it was recognized that swimming would be prohibited for the following reasons:
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A sediment cap that was required to encapsulate historic sediment contamination required the use of an angular stone called armor stone- this armor stone is jagged and can cause injury if stepped on; the armor stone is required as a part of the sediment cap and approved Pier 70 Risk Management Plan.
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In addition to the armor stone, there are other industrial remnants and dangers that are hidden under the surface of the water, creating safety issues for swimmers;
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The adjacent uses, including at the former Pier 70 shipyard are used for heavy maritime industrial uses including the berthing and operations of ships, tugs, and barges; ship, barge and tug operations are in conflict with swimming, the size and lack of visibility to swimmers for the operators of these vessels make it dangerous for swimmers; large vessels to not have quick reaction times or the ability to maneuver precisely; lastly tug boats that operate in the cove produce incredible prop- wash that is extremely dangerous for swimmers.
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Adjacent to the site is the long-planned Mission Bay Ferry Terminal, once open (expected 2027) the area will have multiple high-speed ferries operating to/from the facility. Ferry operation and swimming are not compatible;
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SF Public Utilities (SFPUC) Combined Sewer Outfall (CSO)- at the terminus of Mariposa Street is a SFPUC CSO, during peak storm events, this CSO occasionally discharges semi-treated sewage into the Bay; while water quality is monitored and conditions are posted at the park and online; if swimmers do not check on water quality status it may impact their health and safety;
Swimming at Crane Cove Park is prohibited and signed appropriately.