2026 UPDATE: In September 2026, the Governing Board approved a grant of $2,000,000 to the East Bay Regional Park District to implement the initial phase of construction of the Hayward Marsh Restoration Project, consisting of establishing a partial levee for construction operations, implementing environmental protection measures, and importing sediment to create wetland habitats at Hayward Marsh.
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2024 UPDATE: In May 2024, $600,000 was awarded to the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) to prepare a 100% engineering design and plan, cost estimates, and permit applications for the Hayward Marsh Restoration Project, Phase 2. Phase 2 of the project will plan for the restoration of Hayward Marsh from a managed brackish marsh into a mosaic of more natural shoreline habitats that are tidally connected to the bay and optimal for supporting wildlife, public access, and climate resilience and consists of preparation of 100% engineering design and plan, cost estimates, and permit applications.
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2023 UPDATE: The project team has received their CEQA Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP) and are working toward a 65% design.
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This project funds the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) to conduct environmental studies and prepare environmental documentation under CEQA, conduct community engagement, develop design alternatives, prepare a 35% conceptual design of the preferred alternative, and prepare permit applications for the Hayward Marsh Restoration Project, located in the City of Hayward.
The grantee will conduct the environmental studies necessary to inform the development of restoration design alternatives and will engage the community in the selection of a preferred alternative. A 35% conceptual design for restoration from brackish marsh to salt marsh will be prepared as well as permit applications for the restoration. The project will plan for the restoration of Hayward Marsh by changing the managed brackish marsh into more natural seasonal wetlands, managed perennial wetlands, muted tidal marsh, fully tidal marsh, or a combination thereof that will rely solely on Bay waters and is optimal to supporting a diversity of wildlife. The project will also include planning for construction of new levees and/or improvement of existing levees to protect the marsh’s western boundary from sea level rise. Levee improvement will also include improvement of the Bay Trail which runs atop the levee and to the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, which is operated by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District.
