SAN FRANCISCO – Getting onto the courts at Potrero Recreation Center is now a whole new game, thanks to major improvements that will delight both basketball and tennis players.
About 50 neighborhood kids joined Mayor London N. Breed, former Mayor Art Agnos, and San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg today for a celebration of the makeover, made possible by a $180,000 gift through San Franciscans for Sports and Recreation. It includes a complete resurfacing of the tennis and basketball courts, along with new nets, backboards and hoops, improved fencing and benches.
“The Potrero Hill Recreation Center is a true community hub, and it’s wonderful to see it shine with these recent improvements,” said Mayor Breed. “Every kid in San Francisco deserves a modern and safe place to play and have fun with their friends. The renovated basketball and tennis courts, along with the new equipment, lighting, and accessible pathways, are an important investment in our youth and the entire Potrero Hill neighborhood.”
San Franciscans for Sports and Recreation has contributed nearly $2 million to public recreation in San Francisco. The sport courts at Potrero Hill Recreation Center are the 16th and 17th tennis courts and first basketball court resurfaced in the last two years under the grant.
“I played on these courts growing up, and it’s moving to see a new generation enjoy them,” said District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. “Seeing the excitement of neighborhood families inspires us to keep advocating for more open space and top notch recreation in District 10.”
Potrero Hill Recreation Center is among the city’s most well-used fitness facilities. In addition to the tennis and basketball, it is used by baseball, softball and soccer teams and offers classes in digital arts, dance, Zumba, teen job readiness and more.
“Improvements big and small have a tremendous impact for any community,” Ginsburg said. “It makes people proud of their neighborhood recreation centers and inspires them to keep coming back to play”
For San Franciscans for Sports and Recreation, funding the project at Potrero Hill was a chance to make a difference.
“This project was particularly exciting for us since we had the opportunity to piggyback on top of the improvements to the softball fields and upper area of the center, paid for by a recent bond measure, by funding the improvement to the sport courts in the lower area,” said San Franciscans for Sports and Recreation Executive Director Seth Socolow. “The result is one of the best recreational facilities anywhere in San Francisco for playing tennis, basketball, softball, as well as other sports. The view of the San Francisco Bay from the newly resurfaced tennis courts is also take-your-breath-away beautiful.”
San Franciscans for Sports and Recreation and its advisor, former Mayor Agnos, were honored at the event with a bronze plaque at the courts.