22372 N. Third Street
Hayward, CA
The site of the Japanese Gardens of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District has a unique history. This 3.5 acre area was used to house the agricultural studies program of the Hayward High School in the Hayward Union High School District from 1913 through June 1962. In addition to providing Future Farmer and 4-H educational programs, horticulture on a limited scale was also studied at this location. In September 1962, educational activities were removed completely from this area.
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Photo Copyright © 2006 Wendy Gray |
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In 1962, recognizing the unique location and characteristics of the site known as the Botany Grounds, the Board of Directors of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District officially designated the area as a future recreation and park site, and, in 1972, began activity involved in the acquisition of the Botany Grounds for park and recreation purposes. Over the next four years, additional land was acquired, thereby assuring that this unique and well-located area would be retained in perpetuity for the leisure pursuits of present and future residents of the Hayward Area.
The Japanese Gardens is the first garden of a Japanese design to be developed in California, and possibly in the entire Western United States, using the principles of traditional Japanese Garden art, combined with native stone and rock and California trees and plantings. The structures were built with careful precision. No stains were used. An immediate aging process of all wood surfaces was accelerated by a combination of burning the wood with a blowtorch and laborious task of many hours of brushing with wire brushes and wood preservatives. Additionally, care was taken to assure that all joints were notched before being assembled, and all nails and fasteners are recessed. The painstaking craftsmanship begins and ends with each piece of wood as it is carefully molded into what will become a true landmark, not only in the Bay Area, but in California and the Western United States as well.
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Photo Copyright © 2006 Wendy Gray |
The Garden is actually made up of many smaller gardens and areas which, by design, have been created in the hope that many residents of the area will want to duplicate various portions of the Garden on their own property. To this end, H.A.R.D. can provide complete plant materials lists to enable interested individuals to create smaller Japanese areas at their own homes or businesses.
On the first Saturday of the month at 1:00 p.m. at the Japanese Gardens, the designer of the Japanese Gardens, Kimio Kimura of Kimurascaping, lectures on how to design, construct, manage, and appreciate a dynamic art where the garden is complimenting the structure to create a harmonious relationship.
The Japanese Garden is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Please note that dogs, bicycles, or skating are not allowed on the premises. The Garden is available for rent for weddings and similar events. You can find out more online at H.A.R.D.'s own Web site, at http://haywardrec.org/weddings.html
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