Join us on Saturday, July 17, for a fun morning celebrating the grand opening of Heritage Plaza in Downtown Hayward.

Activities begin at 10:00 a.m. with a special drumming performance by the Drum Revolution Taiko drummers, speeches from local dignitaries and a musical performance by the Russell City Memorial Blues Band. Afterwards, attendees are invited to stay and visit informational tables set-up throughout the plaza to learn more about the various art pieces honoring Hayward's diverse community and history. 

About Heritage Plaza

The Heritage Plaza project began in October 2018 and included deconstruction of the old main library and construction of the Heritage Plaza. The Heritage Plaza encompasses a full city block in downtown Hayward, which is approximately the size of San Francisco’s Union Square. The Plaza dates back to the formative days of Hayward in the 1840’s, when it was part of the homestead of rancher Don Guillermo Castro. When Don Castro subdivided and sold his land in the 1850’s (which created the street layout of downtown Hayward still in use today), he dedicated Heritage Plaza for use as a public plaza into perpetuity.

The plaza, located on C Street across from the Downtown Hayward Library, will provide the Hayward community with a location to gather for city events and activities.

The plaza includes:

  • Gathering & Event Spaces – The Plaza will include a 25,000-square foot central event lawn and an 11,000-square foot paved plaza along C Street. These two spaces will have a combined event capacity of nearly 4,000 people. An elevated platform and arbor at the edge of the event lawn will include electrical access for cultural events, musical performances and other civic gatherings
  • Arboretum - The Plaza is home to over forty species of rare and mature trees. The trees, some of which are over one-hundred years old, will be preserved in the plaza restoration. Placards identifying the notable trees will be installed along meandering “arboretum walk” paths on either side of the central event lawn
  • Heritage Elements – The Plaza will be home to interpretative signs and art pieces that commemorate the diverse experiences and cultures of Hayward’s rich history
  • Children’s Garden – The Plaza will include a 2,150-square foot garden on the corner of C Street and Watkins Street, featuring nature-inspired exploration structures for young children
  • Rainwater Catchment System – The Plaza will function as a rainwater catchment and underground rainwater storage and filtration system. The system will collect and reuse up to 200,000 gallons of rainwater annually, which will be treated and reused for irrigation and graywater uses in the new library building and plaza

To learn more about the plaza, visit the project page.

Heritage Plaza
C Street
Across from the Downtown Hayward Library
Hayward , CA 94541