For decades, Tennyson Park has been a familiar green space in South Hayward. But like many neighborhood parks, its full potential had yet to be realized. Today, it stands at the center of a community-driven transformation–one rooted in listening, partnership, and long-term investment.
Identified as a priority in the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District’s Parks Master Plan, the Tennyson Park renovation began with a simple but powerful goal: create a park that reflects the needs, ideas, and spirit of the surrounding neighborhood. H.A.R.D. Capital Planning and Development partnered with Recreation staff, RRM Design Group, the South Hayward Youth and Family Center (SHYFC) project team, and–most importantly–the community.
Over the course of six in-person outreach events and multiple online surveys, residents helped shape the park’s future. The engagement process was intentionally inclusive, offering evening and weekend meetings, Spanish-language translation, youth-focused events, and outreach tied to existing community gatherings. Neighbors brainstormed ideas, prioritized amenities, evaluated design concepts, and ultimately guided the final vision.
The resulting Master Plan reimagined Tennyson Park as an active, safe, and welcoming space for all ages–maximizing open space, improving visibility and access, and seamlessly connecting the Matt Jimenez Gymnasium and future Stack Youth and Family Center. Together, these projects are designed to serve as a shared civic heart for the neighborhood.
This transformation was made possible in part by Measure F1 funding, reinforcing H.A.R.D.’s commitment to reinvesting in parks and delivering on community priorities.
As H.A.R.D. General Manager, Jim Wheeler, said at the park opening, “This is what listening to residents and delivering on promises looks like.” Tennyson Park’s evolution shows what’s possible when community voices lead the way–from an underutilized green space to a vibrant neighborhood hub.
Tennyson Park is located at 28377 Huntwood Ave, Hayward, CA 94544
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To learn more about Measure F1-funded projects and how these investments are working across our parks and facilities, visit our HARD at Work page.