Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company adopted John L. Carter Memorial Park in 2013.
Due to Covid-19, we are unable to routinely gather volunteers to help us maintain Carter Park. We hope to continue our volunteer maintenance program later in 2021 if safety guidelines will permit.
Our Story with Carter Park
The Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company, under the direction of Robert Pickett, adopted John L. Carter Memorial Park in 2013. Located off Main Street by the historic bridge, Carter Park honors the legacy of a man much loved by the Coastside community. Mr. Carter was the City’s founding father, collecting and delivering petition signatures to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors back in 1958, a crucial step toward incorporating a new town. John Carter was elected first mayor. The City had expressed interest in public and arts community support to improve the overall use and look of the park. Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company board of directors, in contact with the City, received positive response to move forward through the Adopt A Park Program. The Carter family was encouraged by plans to transform the park, which has suffered much neglect. In their first season (2012), Half Moon Bay Shakespeare performed The Taming of the Shrew at Cameron’s Outback. They returned to Cameron’s Outback in the summer of 2013, with The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. In 2014, we debuted our third season in Carter Park and have been thrilled to perform our Shakespeare plays there each summer until 2020. We look forward to the forthcoming renovations the City of Half Moon Bay is making to our beloved Carter Park.
“It is our long-range plan to establish Carter Park as a significant entertainment and arts venue for all to use and enjoy on the Coastside”
– Lee Ellis, Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company co-founder, producer and board member.