Hayward Area Recreation and Park District General Manager James Wheeler will be the featured presenter at the noon luncheon of the Hayward Rotary Club, that will meet Monday, May 18, at 1074 B St. HARD is the largest recreation district in California, created in 1944 as an independent special district. It serves more than 275,000 residents across Hayward and the unincorporated communities of Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Ashland, Cherryland and Fairview. It is responsible for managing parks, open spaces, and recreational facilities, as well as providing a wide range of programs and services to promote health, well-being, learning, and fun. It operates more than 30 parks and trails and maintains park grounds for numerous local schools.