San Francisco Pickleball Courts: Visitors to the new $4.1 million Stern Grove Playground in San Francisco are upset over the absence of nearby restrooms. The facility, which opened last week with four new pickleball courts, requires users to walk about half a mile to reach the closest bathroom.
Long Walk for Basic Needs
Pickleball player Carolyn Johnston of West Portal said the situation is unacceptable.
“It’s unbelievable incompetence. A lot of pickleball players are elderly retirees. We need access to bathrooms, and we shouldn’t have to scramble around in the woods looking for a place to pee.”(Carolyn Johnston)
Richmond resident May Chong agreed, describing the uphill return from the Trocadero House restrooms as a challenge.
“It’s at least a 10-minute or more round trip to walk all the way down. Downhill is quite easy, but when you have to go back uphill, it’s actually quite challenging.”(May Chong)
Families Also Affected
Parents and caregivers share similar concerns. Meghan Stafford, who brought her daughter to the playground Friday, said,
“Most playgrounds in San Francisco that I’ve been to have a bathroom within a few feet of the playground.”
Stafford opted to use a portable potty in her car rather than make the steep walk.
Bernal Heights resident Tobias, visiting with his 3-year-old son, called the park “amazing” but said the Parks Department’s statement about nearby bathrooms was
“clearly written by someone who doesn’t have a toddler.”
Nanny Vanessa, on her third visit, added,
“We could spend the whole day here, if you think about it. But the bathroom, it’s what’s holding us back.”
Construction and Funding
Construction on the “whimsical, nature-inspired retreat” began in August 2024. The playground features tree-like towers, climbing nets, timber logs, and treehouse-style structures. It is the 12th of 13 city playgrounds renovated through Let’sPlaySF!, a public-private partnership supported by donors including the Hellman and Koret foundations, San Franciscans for Sports and Recreation, the Lisa and John Pritzker Family Fund, and Jackie and Joby Pritzker.
City Response
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department spokesperson Daniel Montes said a restroom was considered but “beyond the scope of the budget.” He noted six public restrooms are within a 10-minute walk, including Trocadero Clubhouse, 20th and Wawona, Carl Larsen Park, Parkside Square, Pine Lake Park, and Sava Pool. Montes added the department is exploring lower-cost fixes.
Johnston criticized the removal of construction toilets before the opening.
“They gave their workers porta-potties because they needed something, but then right before they did their beautiful grand opening, they got rid of them. So the people who are actually going to use the playground and court facility have nothing.”(Carolyn Johnston)
Ongoing Problems Elsewhere
Visitors noted similar issues at other parks. Chong said Buena Vista Park bathrooms are often locked and blamed drug use and crime. “It’s kind of disgusting,” Chong said, describing seeing players urinating in the brush during weekend visits.
Nanny Kayla, visiting the playground for the first time, summed up the frustration of caregivers.
“I’m not going to walk 10 minutes with them. They can go in nature,” (Nanny Kayla).
Broader Impact
The lack of nearby restrooms limits use of the new playground and pickleball courts for families, seniors, and players. While the Parks Department searches for solutions, visitors continue to face long walks or makeshift options when nature calls.
News in Brief: San Francisco Pickleball Courts
San Francisco’s new $4.1 million Stern Grove Playground opened with four pickleball courts but no nearby bathrooms. Players and parents must walk about half a mile to reach restrooms, prompting complaints from visitors. City officials say a bathroom was over budget but are exploring lower-cost options to improve access.