Sport in the Heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin

The Tenderloin Recreation Center in San Francisco has welcomed a dynamic new addition: a SoccerGround mini pitch designed to energize the neighborhood with accessible small‑sided soccer. Installed on an underutilized section of the rec center, the pitch brings new movement, connection, and play to an area that benefits from sport as community activation.

Compact and Community Ready

This mini pitch measures around 60 × 40 feet and features rebound boards, perimeter netting, and performance turf, creating a safe, contained space for quick pick‑up games and skill sessions. It’s designed to fit seamlessly into the rec center’s courtyard, providing a clean, attractive space where players can engage without disturbing surrounding areas.

A Hub for Youth and Families

During afternoons and weekends, the pitch hosts drop‑in youth sessions, family scrimmages, and PE‑style activities organized by rec staff. It provides local kids with a structured place to move, play, and build teamwork, right in the neighborhood, within walking distance of homes and schools.

Activation Through Play

The mini pitch has helped rec programming expand, supporting events like holiday tournaments and fitness challenges. Local volunteers also use the space to run skills clinics and mentorship initiatives, using the pitch as a platform for positive social interaction and engagement.

Reimagining Rec Spaces

The installation highlights how thoughtfully designed, compact infrastructure can bring new life to public facilities. By transforming a quiet courtyard into an active play zone, Tenderloin Recreation Center is showing how sport can enhance vibrancy, safety, and wellness in urban spaces.

Product info: SoccerGround Advanced 78' x 52', Goals: 12' x 4'