Mission Boulevard Linear Park

City of Hayward

Surfacedesign, Inc., Lead Landscape Architect
RJA Engineering, Civil Engineer
Brookwater, Irrigation
Los Loza, Contractor
Bay Area Redwood, Fabricator

Mission Boulevard Linear Park is a public park that has transformed the underserved community of Hayward with easily accessible, immersive, and quality green space to improve public health. Set along one of Hayward’s main arteries, the mile-long park protects pedestrians with a buffer of topography that echoes the rolling East Bay hills, blending recreation and contemplation. Hyper- local reused and upcycled materials were sourced within city limits, while California wildflowers, both planted and painted, and soft earthforms connect the park to the broader regional landscape. A model for sustainable, community-oriented design at low cost, the park’s success is achieved through seamless collaboration and pooled resources. 

This seven–acre park in Hayward, CA initiates the greenway corridor from the southern limit of the city, expanding the existing neighborhood walking trail for the historically underserved community. Creating cohesion between three distinct sections along Mission Boulevard, the vision for the design was shaped by a collaborative and dynamic community engagement process, where maintenance, mitigating street noise and pollution, as well as privacy were of top concern and informed the design methodologies. 

Habitat creation and native plantings were central to the design. Perennial plantings complement the existing black walnut, redwoods, and Aleppo pines, which were preserved and integrated into the design. Additional trees offer shade, privacy and enhance biodiversity while native wildflowers and low-water grasses were also introduced to create a distinct connection to the regional landscape through the seasons. Stormwater management strategies, including passive grading of all hardscape areas, direct runoff into planting zones to slow water flow, facilitate infiltration, and replenish groundwater, contribute to the site’s ecological resilience. 

Reclaimed and recycled materials enabled creative solutions that maximized quality results despite a tight budget. City officials and the project team worked together to identify strategies to source and reuse materials and pool resources – a creative constraint that led to crafty solutions such as the use of repurposed benches from City Hall, which were refinished with durable automotive paint, adding a vibrancy to the park. The Hayward Parks & Rec Department contributed 250 tons of salvaged concrete from a demolished building, which were upcycled into pavers, framing new seating areas throughout the park. 

Cohesion and human-scale design create a secure, inviting environment for walkers, runners, and cyclists, fostering new routines centered on health and refuge. The park’s topography mirrors the rolling East Bay hills, offering a natural buffer from traffic while shaping intimate, fluid pathways. A continuous 6‘ wide path complemented by an added 30” shoulder, offers multi-modal movement and intuitive wayfinding while minimizing asphalt use. Wraparound white oleander hedges hug the path, separating the park from the neighboring homes while reinforcing a felt sense of closure and separation from the busy throughway. 

Prioritizing access, engagement, and comfort for people of all ages and abilities, vibrant crosswalks painted with California poppies celebrate the native wildflowers found in the nearby hills, adding a playfulness that speaks to the regional landscape. Reclaimed redwood log benches and “tree cookie” log stools are generously placed along the path, while trellises provide much-needed shade at three bus stops along Mission Boulevard, creating a comfortable waiting environment for transit users. 

Designed and constructed during the COVID pandemic, Mission Boulevard Linear Park reflects the urgent and ongoing need for equitable, high-quality green spaces in communities. Today, the mile- long stretch is a dynamic public space, welcoming a diverse mix of users–from dog walkers and joggers to parents, children, cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians, the park continues to serve the Hayward community, attributing its success to the ways it seamlessly integrates immediate community concerns with broader health equity goals to advance public health and quality of life.