San Francisco Pickleball Court Expansion: San Francisco city officials have identified nine potential sites for 44 new public pickleball courts after surveying 1,761 residents. The goal is to meet growing demand for the sport, but some sites are currently used for golf, croquet, and volleyball, raising concerns about space conflicts.
Top Site Recommendations
The Tennis and Pickleball Planning Roundtable (TAPP) presented its findings to the Recreation and Park Commission. The top three sites are Louis Sutter Field in McLaren Park, Hamilton Recreation Center in the Western Addition, and the overgrown putting green at Moscone Recreation Area in the Marina District.
Other potential locations include the Aptos Playground Multipurpose Court, Crocker Amazon Volleyball Court, Golden Gate Park Panhandle Multi-Use Court, Joe DiMaggio Playground, Lake Merced Sunset Parking Lot, and the Stern Grove Croquet Lawn.
Resident Concerns and Opinions
Some residents are concerned about losing space for other activities. Sean Darling, a Cow Hollow resident, said,
“There needs to be room for everybody, and this is a nice green space in the neighborhood to practice short shots. Pickleball is a popular sport, so it is fine with me as long as I can still hit here.”(Retiree Dennis Tsuchiya)
Moscone Recreation Area is somewhat isolated, reducing noise concerns. However, nearby residential areas have experienced complaints, including a lawsuit over noise at the Bay Club gateway near the Embarcadero.
Growing Demand for Pickleball
The roundtable noted that the city increased pickleball courts from 12 in 2018 to over 90, but demand still exceeds availability. Richmond District resident Tanner Suard, 28, said,
“All the public pickleball courts are always crowded or booked. And if they aren’t booked there is a 20 minute wait at least.”
Suard, who recently quit his job to become a pickleball professional, suggested the adjacent golf area at Moscone would be ideal for public pickleball courts with proper sound buffers.
“I would love that. It is so beautiful here,” (Tanner Suard).
Next Steps
The survey was informational; no funding or formal plan has been approved. A public-private fundraising campaign will likely be needed to develop the courts. Recent additions, such as four new courts at Crocker Amazon Playground Park, indicate the city is moving cautiously to expand pickleball facilities.
News in Brief: San Francisco Pickleball Court Expansion
San Francisco identified nine potential sites for 44 new public pickleball courts. Residents are divided, as some sites are used for golf, croquet, and volleyball. The Tennis and Pickleball Planning Roundtable presented the findings, but no formal plan or funding exists. Public-private fundraising will likely be required to move forward.
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