San Francisco’s Tennis vs Pickleball Rivalry: San Francisco’s recreational sports scene, particularly the bustling community of tennis and pickleball players, has seen its fair share of conflicts. However, a recent proposal might just pave the way for a more harmonious coexistence.
Vision for Separate Courts
Mary Hickey, a USA Pickleball ambassador, has a vision: dedicated courts for each sport. “We will not go on the tennis courts, and they will not go on the pickleball courts, and we will all say ‘Hi’ as we pass each other,” she told the Chronicle. Hickey, who passionately promotes pickleball through free clinics at the Presidio Wall every Tuesday, was among the vocal supporters at a recent Recreation and Park Commission meeting, advocating for separate, side-by-side tennis and pickleball courts at Stern Grove.
Competing Needs for Court Space
The heart of the issue lies in the competition for court space, with tennis and pickleball requiring different setups and nets. The current plan, set by Rec and Park, involves dual courts with lines for both sports, a solution that has proven contentious. Hickey and fellow pickleball enthusiasts argue that this hybrid model fuels disputes and leads to vandalism and confrontations.
Their proposal is straightforward: four permanent pickleball courts next to one tennis court at Stern Grove. This plan diverges from the department’s current model but aims to prevent the conflicts that have plagued shared courts. The impassioned plea from pickleball advocates even prompted a rare response from Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg during the public comment portion of the meeting. “We normally don’t respond to public comment, but I did want to acknowledge the good faith, creative idea about using space to resolve user conflicts,” Ginsburg remarked.
Ongoing Challenges and Vandalism
Ginsburg acknowledged the ongoing challenges, noting observed “bad behavior” from both tennis and pickleball players. He encouraged collaboration through Rec and Park’s working group but also indicated that the existing contracts for Stern Grove’s hybrid courts might be difficult to alter.
The history of shared courts at Stern Grove dates back to before a water main rupture in August 2021 caused significant damage and temporarily shut down the facilities. With the courts set to reopen this fall, tensions remain high. Hickey and others criticized the hybrid model, highlighting incidents of vandalism and altercations. Six pickleball nets were stolen from Rossi Park in Richmond, and vandals recently slashed a net there. Similar acts of vandalism were reported at Moscone Recreation Center and Buena Vista Park.
Proposal for Dedicated Pickleball Courts
The pickleball community’s proposal, presented at the meeting, emphasized these hostilities and the need for separate courts. Peter Mueller, a pickleball advocate, shared his frustration: “If you go to a place one day and return the next day and the nets are slashed, it’s reasonable to assume they were vandalized.”
The proposal’s supporters cited the successful conversion of tennis and basketball courts at Larsen Playground into eight dedicated pickleball courts. They envision a similar model at Stern Grove, believing it would ease tensions and provide clear boundaries for play. Lillian Murphy, another USA Pickleball ambassador, suggested “partnership funding” from the pickleball community to help cover potential additional costs.
Not all are convinced, though. Lilian Lynch of the Tennis Coalition cautioned against jumping to conclusions about specific incidents, such as a recent confrontation at Rossi Park. “You’re only getting one side of the story,” she said.
Despite the challenges, the pickleball community remains hopeful. Mueller felt buoyed by Ginsburg’s comments, seeing them as a step toward resolving the conflict, even if their proposed design could not be immediately implemented.
As San Francisco’s recreational sports landscape continues to evolve, the dialogue between tennis and pickleball players highlights a common desire for dedicated spaces. “The common desire for the pickleball and tennis communities are dedicated-line courts,” Murphy stated. By setting clear boundaries and building cooperation, both sports can flourish side by side, ensuring that the city’s courts are arenas for play, not conflict.
News in Brief: San Francisco’s Tennis vs Pickleball Rivalry
San Francisco’s tennis and pickleball communities face conflicts over shared court space. Mary Hickey, a USA Pickleball ambassador, advocates for dedicated pickleball courts alongside tennis courts at Stern Grove to prevent disputes and vandalism. The current hybrid model with lines for both sports has led to tensions and incidents, including vandalism at several locations. Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg acknowledged the proposal’s creativity but noted challenges with altering existing contracts.
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