Mission Boulevard Linear Park is a seven-acre public park that provides the diverse community of Hayward with equitable, publicly accessible and immersive open space for exercise, recreation and contemplation. Set alongside one of the main arteries of Hayward, the mile-long park protects pedestrians with a buffer of topography that echoes the rolling East Bay hills. Mission Boulevard Linear Park is a model for sustainable, community-oriented design achieved with a modest budget – which was possible thanks to seamless collaboration and pooled resources. Reused materials were hyper-
local, sourced from within city limits, and upcycled. California wildflowers, both planted and painted, as well as soft earth forms help connect the park to the broader regional California landscape. The team’s vision was to design a beautiful, cohesive landscape for the city park that is divided into three sections running alongside Mission Boulevard. The surrounding community provided valuable input on the issues to be addressed in the design during community engagement sessions. Maintenance, mitigating street noise and pollution, and privacy were among the top concerns.
The resulting park design proposes creative solutions using reclaimed and recycled materials. In order to deliver results within the tight budget, the City and the landscape architecture team had to be thoughtful and look for opportunities to reuse and source low cost materials. Collaborating closely with the City of Hayward, the designers looked for ways to reuse materials and pool resources, reimagining the possibilities based on what was available from the city’s material storage area. Repurposed benches from City Hall Plaza were repainted with automotive paint for a vibrant finish. The Hayward Parks & Rec Department donated concrete from the foundation of a building slated to be demolished, diverting 250 tons of concrete from the landfill that was then upcycled to take on a second life as pavers framing new seating areas nestled into the park.
The design team worked to create an intentional design at a human scale for walkers and runners as well as drivers passing by on Mission Boulevard. Earthforms create a visual connection to the East Bay hills as well as provide a buffer from the busy thoroughfare for walkers and bikers. Fill material came from excavation for a nearby local park undergoing construction. A hedge along the edge of the site functions as a screen for privacy for the neighboring homes. Trellises provide much-needed shade at the three bus stops along Mission Boulevard. “Tree cookie” log stools and reclaimed redwood log benches are used in seating alcoves off the generous main walking path, providing areas to rest and gather. The linear park’s three intersections have brightly painted California poppies decorating the crosswalk which create a symbolic connection to the broader regional landscape and native wildflowers that can be found in the adjacent East Bay hills.
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for equitable, quality green space in our communities as essential infrastructure for public health. Mission Boulevard Linear Park was designed and constructed during the pandemic and continues to serve the community of Hayward.
Mission Boulevard Linear Park
Location: Hayward, California, USA.
Designer Credit: Surfacedesign, Inc.
Client: City of Hayward
Civil Engineer: RJA Engineering
Irrigation: Brookwater
Contractor: Los Loza
Plan Image: Surfacedesign, Inc.
Photography: Marion Brenner