Hayward Area Recreation and Park District On-call Preservation Services

Established in 1944, the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) is the largest public recreation district in California. HARD manages over 100 parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities, and historic sites in Hayward and the adjoining unincorporated communities of Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, and San Lorenzo. HARD also manages the sports fields for many public schools in Greater Hayward.

HARD hired VerPlanck Historic Preservation Consulting to prepare historic resource evaluations (HREs) for two of its facilities in 2025. The first was for a 1914 Craftsman bungalow at 1797 D Street in Fairview. The house stands on a three-acre site that HARD purchased in order to expand the Sulphur Creek Nature Center. VerPlanck researched the history of the property, tracing it back to the earliest Spanish-era rancho in this part of Alameda County. He then evaluated the property for California Register eligibility and presented his findings to the Alameda County Parks, Recreation and Historical Commission (PRHC).

VerPlanck also prepared an HRE for Carlos Bee Park, a small nature preserve and recreational facility located in Castro Valley. Named for late state legislator, Carlos Bee, the park flanks Chabot Creek. The park consists of oak woodlands, a picnic area, and a playground. VerPlanck evaluated a ca. 1950 caretaker’s cabin located on the northern edge of the park for California Register eligibility.