This is hands-down the coolest playground in the East Bay I've been to thus far. While in the area…read morefor a family BBQ, we heard about this spot from parent friends and decided it was finally time to check it out. Wow! I was honestly blown away. We brought lunch to have at the park and honestly, not much was eaten because there was just so much to do! What a toddler dreamland. There's a solitary airplane by the swings, a 'firetruck' to enter/exit, a boat to drive, slides of all kinds..a whale to climb that blows water steam out of its blowhole! I mean..the creativity! There's a quiet area that has books and chairs to read to the littles, like a "take one/leave one" small library. A section dedicated to music where littles can create sounds from a piano by using their feet to step on the keys. A bike park next-door. A pirate ship..I mean, the list goes on and on! In short, this playground is inclusive to all. The magic, wonder, uniqueness, and just imaginative play that is captured by adults and kids alike is really awesome for somewhere in the East Bay. We already can't wait to come back again. Street parking adjacent to playground can be found. This is a popular spot, so plan accordingly.

Such a sweet playground! I enjoy all the accessibility intended to allow children of all abilities…read moreto play. The lounge chairs for parents near the more exciting features are also very cool. My son plays basketball at the nearby recreation center and we walked over to the park after his session- not realizing it was Mia's Dream Come True until halfway through play. This park is epic - from the Braille to the musical/sound features, awesome fire truck and the spouting whale! We could spend hours here (or at least an hour because Mama's got a schedule). For now we'll be back most weekends after basketball practice. I'd recommend this park to all parents of small children.

This park is absolutely AMAZING!!!!!…read more Lucky for us, my family moved in this area and Greenwood Park is within walking distances. With it's infamous 3 towering flower structure that offers beauty and shade, you can't miss it!! While there are the typical play structures found at typical parks, Greenwood has a number of musical instruments to play with and enjoy. The park has plenty of seating areas and also has BBQ grills. There are restrooms available but I can't speak on the conditions since I haven't actually used them. The park is spacious, clean, and is the perfect spot to relax with a snack or have a full blown paaaartay!! 5/5 stars, my family and I love everything about Greenwood!!

Probably one of the nicest parks in Hayward. Problem is its just in an unusual hard to find spot…read morethat is almost hidden - unless you are one of the lucky residents nearby. Flowering trees, walkways, little musical instrument for kids, bay friendly rated landscaping, beautiful flower shaped shade artwork, hammock, swings, play structure, small trampoline, basketball hoops... I could go on and on about all the different amenities. There is something for everybody. One beautifully done park... likely from money from the new nearby construction. Big newer homes are on one side and then trailer park homes are on the other side. Its a public park and no matter what you pay for rent or where you live it is here for you to enjoy. The one problem I saw was the basketball hoops. They were like tiny lakes. For whatever reason the concrete contractors messed up. They made little swimming pool instead of flat concrete that doesn't puddle up. I've bounced a ball in a tiny pool of water... and let me tell you - its one way to end the fun. Great little park for all residents of Hayward. Worth a little drive to get to.

Our quest for living in California is to visit as many beautiful places as we could while we're…read moreliving here in this expensive state, especially in NorCal. Last weekend we visit Hayward Japanese Gardens. It's not too far from our home in Fremont. We took Mission Blvd all the way to Hayward, we got to see the city, quite nice. The parking lot is designated for the theater but there's no where else to park so we parked there. We're amazed with all the well groomed different types of trees, quite pleasant and unique. The pond with beautiful Koi fishes. It's a huge garden with so many beautiful trees and flowers. It's so well kept and every tree was trimmed to perfection. There are benches to sit to enjoy the sceneries, wedding people came here to take pictures for their albums. It's a gorgeous day in CA for a beautiful garden.

Five stars because it costs no yen…read more As far as Japanese gardens go, this one is my least favorite because it is rectangular, with a visible metal fence perimeter, with ugly trash and graffiti visible from across the creek and no opportunities to feed the koi fish. Three things, though, that make it special is that they have memorial plaques, stray cats, and blowtorched wood for an aged and weather-resistant finish. From 1913-1962, the site was a practice site for farming and raising livestock for Hayward Union High. It became a garden by the late 1970s, and when dedicated in 1980, focusing on botany (with plants donated by local Japanese-American nurseries) rather than religion. Every first Saturday at 1pm there's a free lecture/tour. It's not especially beautiful or big (3.5 acres) or exciting (the few people I saw there were on their phones), but it's a peaceful, clean area. I think informational displays could help people enjoy it more. Or phone chargers. Information like, many of the wooden connections (including the main entry gate) have notches instead of notches to fit together like puzzle pieces. This more authentic approach prevents rust. Or, the garden uses the Shakkei technique: when you can stand at the highest point, the surrounding trees are meant to look like distant mountains, with specific plants blended with the Japanese maples and native Oaks to make the garden feel ten timers larger than its actual 3.5 acres. Or, the hand-selected granite boulders from the Sierra Nevadas are buried one-third into the ground so it looks like they are growing, which is why I don't manicure myself often. .

Went for a short hike here. Not long, refreshing and enjoyable. Lovely scenery with a nice little…read morelake. There's a pool area not far. Also seen different kinds of birds playing in the water. There's a bench along the water to sit and enjoy. When I went, no fees were collected and there's ample parking. I definitely will come again.

Fantastic park one of the best places to chill relax and swim. I come here normally when I want to…read morefeel away from everything but it only takes 5 dollars the most.

Beautiful park for families with kids, and perfect for a kid's birthday party. Easy parking (even…read moreon a Saturday!), clean bathrooms, train and carousel rides, and plenty of reservable picnic areas. We will definitely be back.

Prob would be 5 if the train and rides were open - check their Facebook page for status! I guess it…read morewas closed due to anticipated rain. Easy parking, decent bathrooms, great playground area and lots of seating for picnic/snacks.

The kids playground reopened a few weeks ago, and it was in construction for a while…read more The playground is bigger. The slides are bigger than before and there's a lot of different kinds of swings for the kids. There were a few times in the past when the bathroom was closed. There's plenty of parking. They have some picnic tables. The park is safe, the community has a neighborhood watch and has security roaming around at nights, and there are cameras around.

Eden Shores Park has quite a few attractions. a slight ding is the small parking area below the…read morepark. residents nearby have the option of walking. amendities here: hoops, tennis courts, children's play areas, swings, grass, benches area, a gazebo, . the bay is nearby to sightseeing.

Today I visited Meek Park with my doggie client as I want to take her to beautiful park hence why…read morewe were here this morning. I haven't been to Meek Park since 2017?! Oh my goodness that's so long ago. Meek Park today is still as lovely as I remembered it, but even better because they now have the water fountain flowing. The grounds are maintained well with beautiful lush grass and pretty flowers. I also saw some cute cats in their garden area. They have a parking lot with plenty of spots. The playgound looks whimsy and elegant at the same time. I'm so happy that their poop bag stations have actual poop bags! I had poop bags with me, but it's just so helpful when a park also provides poop bags as well just in case people need them. I think they have a restroom area if I remember correctly. I know there was an area with plenty of picnic tables.

A very nice park, with the Meek Mansion as the centerpiece!!…read more Meek Mansion is a historic victorian house surrounded by gardens. The whole park is fenced off, with locking gates to the parking lot. There are many paved trails here, along with picnic areas and playgrounds. There are always people here walking the trail along the outer edge of the park. I have not yet been inside of the mansion, but this park is nice enough to go to on its own. But checking out the inside of this mansion is definitely on my to do list!!!!

It was really just beautiful over there I've never been to Castro Valley in the town at south so…read morethis was the first really enjoyed it recommend you all to go try it out with your family the views up there on the hill to her just beautiful at sunset

Beautiful park with a view of the bay and the SF skyline…read more Perfect spot to walk wolfie. A children's playground is present as is a huge field meant for softball. If you live down the hill take a walk up instead if the treadmill on an incline one day. Better air to breathe and no views like this at some stuffy gym. Get outside and bring a frisbee for your four legged friend.

We've been on our hunt for great parks throughout the East Bay now that our little is growing…read more Castro Valley Community Park is a beautiful one ~ plenty of safe parking with a lot attached and honestly, so much space. There is a little something for all ages here too which I enjoy. From slides, to swings, to a splash park I believe is open on weekends, to picnic areas, and a play area that is fenced off with sand for littles, it's definitely a home run spot. I appreciate parks that also are within nature. This spot seemingly has play/picnic/splash areas on one side, and beautiful open grass on the other. We've taken our nephews here before as well to play and they've loved over the years seeing nature at its best ~ from observing butterflies, collecting sticks/rocks (boys are boys!), to getting to run through the grass, we have made so many great memories and photo ops here. All in all, there's always a familiar face or friendly conversation to be had at this community park. There's shared toys in the smaller kiddo area like balls and sand toys, and creative play structures like bumble bees and jets to enjoy. After seeing so many parks, you begin to appreciate those that offer something unique and smile-worthy.

Parking lot small but there's a few street parking Clean…read morespacious organized and well kept Tennis courts kid playground basketball courts BBQ pits seating area and wide grass field for soccer Yeah, I think they got everything here I prob missed some other positives too Try this spot out

Open once a year in December for holiday lighting! H.A.R.D staff set up Christmas decor, photo…read morebackdrops, games and booths for a family night out (great for kids). Stopped by after work, short self tour of Level 1 of historical house, learned some neat facts. Typically used as H.A.R.D's office so the house upstairs not open to public. Docent told me to check out the other two historic houses Meek Mansion and McConaughey Mansion.

Shocking nice park for Hayward. I'm sorry. Thats sounds like a slap in the face to Hayward - I…read moredidn't mean it that way. I promise. Very large park with liquor store across the street. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Lets get hammered in the park!!! No, no, thats not a good idea. For we must think of the children. Somebody must think of the children!!! And children you will find here. Play structure and tennis courts. Soccer field and basketball. Now we must be good influence to the next generation. We won't have any of that. Parking lot is tiny - somehow you will find a spot - I think this is a locals mostly park that walk here. Soccer field is nice and short. Some lines drawn on it - shockingly nice for Hayward. Tennis courts are toward the back. You might not even notice them on your first visit. Tons of rose bushes. Very elegant curvy paths cut through all the bushes. The flowers are varied with different colors and types. Very well taken care of but I did notice some aphids on one bush - you can never have perfect roses. Bathrooms and water fountain. I didn't go in the bathrooms but the water fountain had a nice strong stream. HAARD might have some office space here in the form of taking over an old historic house. Not sure the deal with it but very interesting. If I had to guess some wealthy person 100 years ago owned the house and surrounding land and donated it to the city. If you live in Hayward - this is a must see - at least once. See if its for you. And if your gonna booze it up - maybe put it in a water bottle.