Sulphur Creek Nature Center to Get a Makeover
Photo courtesy of H.A.R.D.
Nestled amongst the oaks on D Street in Hayward, Sulphur Creek Nature Center has provided wildlife education since the 1960s.
Sulphur Creek Nature Center is about to break ground on a “redesign and reimagining” thanks to a $100,000 grant from Fremont Bank Foundation, officials said last week.
The beloved wildlife education and rehabilitation facility and popular field trip destination features local wildlife on display, a discovery center, educational programs, a wildlife hospital, and activities designed to connect people and nature. At one point, the Center on D Street in Hayward treated up to 900 wild animals a year and installed a webcam for observing a barn owl family.
The redesign will include a new outdoor classroom with a paved pavilion that will provide shade and shelter for interactive learning opportunities, camps, field trips, and community events.
Sulphur Creek visitors will also see a new open-air amphitheater with rustic log seating for lectures and performances. Workers will also install new directional signage and provide more comprehensive educational materials about the center's animal residents and native flora and fauna.
Groundbreaking for the $500,000 project will take place on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 12:00 p.m.
“The Nature Center enhancements will make the facility more welcoming, accessible, and popular among community members, particularly students from diverse neighborhoods who will benefit from unique educational opportunities.” Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.) Board of Directors President Rick Hatcher.
Hatcher said the Fremont Bank Foundation grant will be combined with money from the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities (OEEF) grant to get the project up and running.
Grant funds will also support general construction costs, including grading and landscaping, to create a safe, inviting atmosphere for visitors.
“Easy access to parks and recreation are at the core of our Bay Area cities and neighborhoods,” said Fremont Bank and Foundation executive Brian Hughes.
More information about Sulphur Creek Nature Center, including hours, directions, and volunteer opportunities, can be found on the H.A.R.D. website. (https://haywardrec.org/1991/Nature-Centers)