Creek improvements continue in Hayward

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 5, 2009 | by Eric Kurhi

HAYWARD -- A gritty and graffitied stretch of San Lorenzo Creek just above Foothill Boulevard is in the midst of an overhaul, with construction crews laying down a footpath, stairs and observation platforms for scenic-minded pedestrians.

The path will run from De Anza Park at Foothill and Civic Center Drive, along the creek to the Second Street overpass, with a separate overlook a block farther up the street.

The work is the second phase of a project to renovate that portion of San Lorenzo Creek.

The first phase, completed around 2006, was aimed at improving the flow of the creek and protecting the slopes and concrete abutments, said Paul Modrell, environmental compliance specialist with the Alameda County Department of Public Works.

"There was concrete debris, rebar and other nasty stuff in the creek below the bridge," he said. "We excavated that out and brought in fresh rock for the abutments, got rid of invasive plants, and brought in oaks and sycamores."

The current phase will create "entry points," Modrell said. Those paths, stairs and overlooks will include signs with information about the creek.

"They knocked a hole in the wall at De Anza Park, so people can start there," said Larry Lepore of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD), which will maintain the site after construction is completed. "I guess you could call that the trailhead."

The area had been largely out of sight, and prone to graffiti and homeless encampments.

Lepore said HARD will have someone go by daily to pick up trash in the area, as well as provide garbage receptacles to help keep the park and pathway clean.

"Hopefully with more people using it, we won't have the (current) problems," Lepore said.

"It's going to be a challenge."

The project was funded with $260,000 in grant money from a state proposition aimed at improving riparian ravines, and a $5,000 grant acquired by the Hayward Area Historical Society to provide the interpretive panels.

A third phase is in early planning stages, but will involve work farther down the creek channel, said Modrell.

"We'd like to network the creek with the Japanese gardens and senior center, eventually to Carlos Bee Park," he said.

"Around the corner there's remnants of a 1930s (Work Projects Administration) project, a system of trails and old bridge abutments. We'd like to see that restored."

Construction for the current phase is expected to last about a month.

Eric Kurhi covers Hayward. Reach him at 510-293-2473 or ekurhi@bayareanewsgroup.com.