Ribbon Cut for $2.5M Sunset Futsal Courts in Hayward

Kids and their parents flocked to the Hayward Adult School on February 24th for a ribbon-cutting celebration for a new, state-of-the-art Sunset Futsal Courts, located at 300 Laurel Avenue in Hayward.

The new futsal facility comprises four futsal courts for youth play (easily convertible to two, adult-sized courts), perimeter netting and fencing, restrooms, lighting, a covered entry kiosk, seating and viewing areas, and accessible parking.

The Sunset Futsal Courts are the result of a multi-year, community-driven process to transform unused space into free sports and recreation facilities to ease the shortage of parks and safe spaces for kids to exercise and play in the area.

The project was created in partnership with the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.), Hayward Unified School District (HUSD), Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs’ Activities League (DSAL), and Alameda County Sheriff's Office (ACSO). DSAL will operate the facility and staff it with professional coaches and instructors who inspire residents to get moving and stay healthy. 

Hayward Area Recreation and Park District funded the $2.5M facility through the Measure F1 $250 million General Obligation Bond that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November 2016. DSAL and ACSO also generously donated $950K, through grants from Aramark, Wellpath, and a foundation who wishes to remain anonymous but whose generosity is appreciated, nonetheless.

“Youth sports get more expensive every year, making it increasingly difficult for kids in low-income, urban communities to participate; and due to decades of disinvestment, youth in these communities lack access to parks and up-to-date recreational facilities where they can play for free,” said Hilary Bass, Senior Program Specialist, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. “The Sunset Futsal Park addresses all of these concerns by providing a safe, flexible, well-lit, free-to-play soccer park that adds value to the community and gives youth and adults a place they can be proud of.”

According to new research from the Aspen Institute State of Play 2022, the average family in the U.S. paid $883 annually to provide access for one child in their primary sport. Another report from the Aspen Institute and the Eat Learn Play foundation focuses specifically on the State of Play in Oakland and finds that residents in Oakland neighborhoods where people most identify as a person of color have access to 66% less park space per person than those in predominantly white neighborhoods. As a result of these and other barriers, youth in low-income communities and communities of color lack access to the most basic resources, such as quality, accessible playing fields; affordable equipment; quality coaching and training; and the ability to compete.

The Sunset Futsal Park is just one element of DSAL’s comprehensive Community Capitals Policing initiative that focuses on investing in communities that have been left behind after decades of disinvestment.

Families interested in participating the free soccer programs at the Sunset Futsal Courts can visit DSAL’s website to learn more: https://www.acdsal.org/dsal-recreational-soccer-league