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Recreation

Hayward’s location within the scenic East Bay area provides ample opportunities for exceptional recreation. From open spaces and park sites to modern recreational facilities, Hayward area residents have access to both active and passive diversions of all kinds.

Created in 1944, the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (also referred to as H.A.R.D.) provides ample recreational opportunities to more than 250,000 people within a 64 square mile area—which includes the City of Hayward. The district operates and maintains a host of facilities and park sites and offers hundreds of educational and recreational programs, classes and events—making it the largest recreation district in California. H.A.R.D. oversees more than 70 facilities and parks in Hayward alone, which includes such notable sites as:

• The 25-acre Alden E. Oliver Sports Park, opened in 2004 and housing picnic facilities, a children’s play area, four lighted softball fields, two soccer fields, plus one natural turf soccer field, and two lighted basketball courts;

• Kennedy Park, welcoming families to enjoy pony rides, train rides, the Merry-Go-Round, Triple Pines Ranch and Bounce;

• Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, offering guests a glimpse into the ecology of the San Francisco Bay-Estuary. In addition to excellent exhibits are an array of activities and programs; and

• Sulphur Creek Nature Center, a wildlife education and rehabilitation facility comprised of wildlife displays in both the Discovery Center and just outside the buildings. Patrons can also take advantage of wildlife activities and programming.

Adding to these diverse options is the Garin & Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks, located in Hayward. Part of the East Bay Regional Park District, the park is comprised of the Garin Barn Visitor Center, Dry Creek Garden, several picnicking areas, a 20-mile system of trails for hiking and horseback riding and fishing at the Jordan Pond pier. Independent nature study activities, guided interpretive programs and the popular Garin Apple Festival, held in late summer, are further activities discovered here. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) and is easily accessed by the BART and AC Transit public transit systems.