Reorient Goldman Tennis Center 14A-D pickleball courts to North / South
The Issue
For many visitors to the Goldman Tennis Center, the pickleball courts are more than just a place for sports; they are a social hub, a stress-reliever, and a place where people forge lasting connections. However, a simple issue is impacting the quality and enjoyment of our beloved sport. The existing orientation of the courts marked 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D, positioned East/West, presents significant challenges to players due to sun glare, especially during morning sessions and late afternoons.
Imagine you're in the middle of a morning game, and just as you're about to hit an overhead or high volley, the glaring sun blinds you and you miss the shot. This is a common experience that players regularly face, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. The simple act of reorienting the 14A through D courts to a North/South alignment could solve this issue, ensuring fair play and an optimal environment for all pickleball players.
Court resurfacing at Goldman Tennis Center began in August and is still underway. This is the perfect time to petition for the 14A-D pickleball courts to be reoriented.
KEY REASONS FOR REORIENTATION
- Player Safety & Injury Prevention: Direct sunrise and sunset glare blinds players attempting to track high-velocity shots and overhead smashes. Temporary blindness while moving quickly increases the risk of eye strain, missteps, falls, and impact injuries from stray balls.
- Adherence to Athletic Design Standards: Official construction guidelines from USA Pickleball (USAPA) and the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) strongly recommend a North-South longitudinal orientation. This standard minimizes the impact of direct, low-angle sunlight across competitive and recreational sports courts worldwide.
- Maximized Facility Utilization: Due to severe morning and evening blinding conditions, the courts are currently underutilized or unsafe during peak leisure hours (early morning and late afternoon after work). A North-South alignment allows safe play throughout the entire day.
Other pickleball courts (and all tennis courts) in San Francisco - like Larsen, Stern Grove, Wall Playground, Moscone, Louis Sutter - follow this orientation to provide optimal conditions for racquet sport court orientation.
Moreover, addressing this issue aligns with our community values of inclusivity and accessibility. By creating a more enjoyable and safer environment, we promote better engagement and participation in the sport across all age groups and skill levels.
The Goldman Tennis Center, Lifetime Activities and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department have the opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing public spaces based on community feedback and practical evidence. With a relatively small investment in realignment, the long-term benefits for players and the facility's reputation will be significant.
We urge The Goldman Tennis Center, Lifetime Activities and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to take action during the upcoming resurfacing project to reorient the four pickleball courts (Courts 14A - 14D) to North/South. This investment will not only enhance the player experience but also demonstrate dedication to improving our recreational facilities.
Please lend your support by signing this petition.
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The Issue
For many visitors to the Goldman Tennis Center, the pickleball courts are more than just a place for sports; they are a social hub, a stress-reliever, and a place where people forge lasting connections. However, a simple issue is impacting the quality and enjoyment of our beloved sport. The existing orientation of the courts marked 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D, positioned East/West, presents significant challenges to players due to sun glare, especially during morning sessions and late afternoons.
Imagine you're in the middle of a morning game, and just as you're about to hit an overhead or high volley, the glaring sun blinds you and you miss the shot. This is a common experience that players regularly face, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. The simple act of reorienting the 14A through D courts to a North/South alignment could solve this issue, ensuring fair play and an optimal environment for all pickleball players.
Court resurfacing at Goldman Tennis Center began in August and is still underway. This is the perfect time to petition for the 14A-D pickleball courts to be reoriented.
KEY REASONS FOR REORIENTATION
- Player Safety & Injury Prevention: Direct sunrise and sunset glare blinds players attempting to track high-velocity shots and overhead smashes. Temporary blindness while moving quickly increases the risk of eye strain, missteps, falls, and impact injuries from stray balls.
- Adherence to Athletic Design Standards: Official construction guidelines from USA Pickleball (USAPA) and the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) strongly recommend a North-South longitudinal orientation. This standard minimizes the impact of direct, low-angle sunlight across competitive and recreational sports courts worldwide.
- Maximized Facility Utilization: Due to severe morning and evening blinding conditions, the courts are currently underutilized or unsafe during peak leisure hours (early morning and late afternoon after work). A North-South alignment allows safe play throughout the entire day.
Other pickleball courts (and all tennis courts) in San Francisco - like Larsen, Stern Grove, Wall Playground, Moscone, Louis Sutter - follow this orientation to provide optimal conditions for racquet sport court orientation.
Moreover, addressing this issue aligns with our community values of inclusivity and accessibility. By creating a more enjoyable and safer environment, we promote better engagement and participation in the sport across all age groups and skill levels.
The Goldman Tennis Center, Lifetime Activities and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department have the opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing public spaces based on community feedback and practical evidence. With a relatively small investment in realignment, the long-term benefits for players and the facility's reputation will be significant.
We urge The Goldman Tennis Center, Lifetime Activities and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to take action during the upcoming resurfacing project to reorient the four pickleball courts (Courts 14A - 14D) to North/South. This investment will not only enhance the player experience but also demonstrate dedication to improving our recreational facilities.
Please lend your support by signing this petition.
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Petition created on August 21, 2026