S.F. Opens City’s Largest Dedicated Pickleball Complex In This Neighborhood Park
The rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of over a dozen hardy pickleball enthusiasts as they congregated on Monday to commemorate the launch of San Francisco’s largest dedicated pickleball hub, an eight-court facility at Larsen Playground in the Sunset District.
Although the formal ribbon-cutting was scrapped due to the inclement weather, this didn’t deter Hans Carter and fellow players from staging an informal “mock ribbon-cutting.”
“Improvised With An Adhesive Bandage”
“Someone had an adhesive bandage, and we cut it,” recounted Carter, the founder of the Golden Gate Pickleball Club. “There was some dinking back and forth — everyone was having a good time despite the drizzle.”
J.K. Dineen of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the $355,000 pickleball center, which replaced a basketball and tennis court, aims to alleviate congestion at the city’s other standalone facility, the six-court Louis Sutter Playground, and the consistently crowded Presidio Wall Playground.
We reported not so long ago that the latter gained national attention earlier this year when a neighbor, who owned a private pickleball court, attempted to halt play there.
Swift Completion
President Kat Anderson of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission lauded the department’s swift execution of the Larsen project. Initially slated for completion early next year, the commission approved the project last January.
“The growth in the demand for pickleball in recent years has been phenomenal, and that was the motivation behind the construction of this brand-new complex,” Anderson remarked. “The joy and enthusiasm that this sport creates is undeniable.
“I’m excited that Rec and Park is part of the movement to increase pickleball play while also balancing the needs of our other sports communities.”
Burgeoning Interest
San Francisco presently boasts 22 dedicated pickleball courts and an additional 41 courts equipped for both pickleball and tennis. Some indoor recreational centers, such as Upper Noe and Glen Park, have designated pickleball hours.
Similar to many U.S. cities, San Francisco has been scrambling to accommodate the burgeoning interest in this sport without causing disturbances to neighbors, some of whom object to the distinct sound of paddles striking the hard yellow plastic balls.
In response to neighborhood concerns, the Recreation and Park Department recently adjusted the start time for pickleball at Presidio Wall from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Presidio Wall
Carter anticipates that the new Larsen courts will attract players from Presidio Wall and residents from the Sunset and Parkside neighborhoods.
“The quality of the play space is very good and will attract people, for sure,” he affirmed.
San Franciso Recreation and Park reports that the following city courts are available to reserve for pickleball. You will need to bring your own net unless otherwise noted.
- Jackson Playground (2 pickleball courts on Tennis Court)
- Buena Vista Park Court #1 (4 pickleball courts on Tennis Court 1)
- Palace of Fine Arts Indoor Courts – Court #1 North Fog; Court #2 South Fog; Court #3 Foggy Bottom
- Presidio Wall Playground (12 pickleball courts total on Tennis Courts 1-4)
- Richmond Playground (2 pickleball courts on Tennis Court)
- Rossi Park Court #3 (4 pickleball courts lined on Tennis Court 3)
- Upper Noe Court (2 pickleball courts lined on Tennis Court)
- Parkside Square Courts 1 & 2 every day, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Courts at Stern Grove are currently unavailable due to repairs at the park.
