FYI – Questions and Answers

What’s the story with Stern Grove?

Prior to 2021, Stern Grove had 2 dilapidated tennis courts which were resurfaced and dual-lined for Pickleball.  An active Pickleball scene grew there with daily group play, but community members had to set up/take down the nets daily too.  In August 2021, a burst water pipe flooded the courts and the surrounding area, rendering them unusable.  The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has been responsible for restoring the entire area, including the courts, and we want them rebuilt as dedicated to Pickleball with permanent nets.

Why is the SF Pickleball Community focusing on Stern Grove?

Right now Stern Grove presents a unique opportunity because it was flooded and the PUC is already on the hook to restore it.  In other words, the court restoration is already fully funded and the project is on the final construction calendar. Rebuilding for Pickleball is a trivial design change. Any other potential Pickleball location would have to make its way through the RPD bureaucracy – design, community acceptance, funding, scheduling, etc.  This could take years. 

How many courts will there be?

The footprint at Stern Grove is 120 ft. by 120 ft.  This is 20 feet wider than Louis Sutter  (6 courts ) and we are asking for 8 courts (pre-flood it was 6 dual-lined).  RPD has indicated that it is  NOT feasible to expand the current footprint and still get the project done quickly. We believe that 8 courts is a comfortable maximum for the allocated space.  We intend to follow-up in the future with additional court expansion requests that would utilize available space to the East and West .  These discussions will require capital budget allocations.

Will there be bathrooms?

There are bathroom facilities in the concert meadow at Stern Grove, which requires a short walk downhill  and then back.  PUC plans on restoring the trail from the courts down to the meadow.  We polled former Stern Grove players and a clear majority felt this was adequate access. The new trail may not be ADA compliant, so caution may be advised for physically challenged players, but this path will also serve as bathroom access for the Children’s Playground, which is also being re-built on the hilltop to the East of the courts.

It’s possible that Rec and Park may question the community about the need for a bathroom adjacent to the courts, and use this as a reason to NOT PROCEED with the project.  We want to communicate our consensus that the bathrooms in the concert meadow are sufficient, and that the lack of a bathroom next to the courts is NOT A REASON TO DELAY the project !!

I don’t live near Stern Grove.  How will this help me?  Why should I attend?

Even if you don’t think you will use the new courts at Stern Grove, this project benefits the entire Pickleball community.  Every new Pickleball location improves access at existing venues by reducing crowding.  Quality dedicated Pickleball facilities raise the visibility and level of play of the sport, and confer greater legitimacy, making it easier to get additional projects approved in the future.  RPD response is influenced by event attendance – your visible presence matters!  There is strength in numbers !!

Are there potential obstacles to this project?

RPD has proposed alternate Pickleball sites instead of Stern Grove, like nearby Larson Playground on 19th Ave. However, as noted above,  Stern Grove is unique in that it is “shovel-ready” with estimated completion in Spring 2023.  Any other project may take years of planning.  That’s why it’s important the Pickleball community show a unified front and make it clear that Stern Grove is where we want this to happen, and as quickly as possible. Otherwise we risk getting diverted and postponed in efforts to provide more courts for the Community.

What’s the long-term vision for Pickleball in San Francisco?

The addition of courts at Stern Grove will be a big win for San Francisco Pickleball.  However, it does not represent the end of our advocacy.  We will continue to push for dedicated facilities at multiple locations throughout the city, focusing next on the NORTHERN part of the City.  Our vision involves permanent court hubs in the Southern (Louis Sutter), Western (Stern Grove), and eventually the Northern and Eastern sectors of San Francisco, with Golden Gate Park becoming the “central” hub for Community competitive activities.  We want ALL San Franciscans, regardless of the neighborhood they live in, to have access to a nearby public Pickleball venue with superior options for social and competitive play.

How is tennis impacted by this project?

The addition of Pickleball courts at Stern Grove will have virtually no impact on tennis play in San Francisco.  These courts were little used by tennis players before the flood and have remained unavailable for well over a year.  There are neighborhood alternatives at Parkside and Larson.  Pickleball players will no longer need dedicated play session hours at Parkside, returning these hours for tennis play.  The overall inventory reduction in tennis courts is trivial compared to the benefits provided to the greater community of public Pickleball players.