Memorial Park — Hayward

Two Playgrounds amongst huge trees, a bandstand, nature trails, and wildlife!

Despite the fact that it's older and occasionally graffitied, I really like all that Memorial Park has to offer. There are two playgrounds, bathrooms, tennis courts, green open space, a bandstand, stairs and trails made of old brick, wild animals, big trees, and the start of the Hayward Greenbelt Trail.

The two playgrounds are right next to each other, but separated by a chain link fence. The lower playground is a bit smaller with two slides (tube and sidewinder), stairs, a bridge, ladders, and a hollowed out step wall. There are bucket swings at this level.

At the higher level playground there are standard swings and space for what was once, I’m guessing, a tire swing. The structure has three slides (double, sidewinder, and a bottomless sideless), steps, ladders, a sliding pole, and a crawl through tunnel).

There are stairs up and behind the play areas but they don’t lead anywhere all too special. Across from the playground is another set of stairs that lead to the Girl Scout Cabin, a building that serves the local Girl Scouts troops.

Memorial park shares the parking lot with the Hayward Plung, a huge indoor swimming pool (we did a class here through Hayward Rec).

The Greenbelt Trail connects to other Hayward parks and eventually ends at East Avenue Park in the Hayward Hills.