About SFFSR

Building stronger communities one serve at a time

Our Mission

SFFSR is a fully organized and operating non-profit. Our mission is to preserve, protect and promote recreational facilities and activities in the San Francisco Bay Area, ensuring equitable access to quality spaces for sports and leisure, especially in underserved communities.

We aim to close the access gap for public spaces, and strive for equity in the access to sports, exercise, recreation, and leisure. The positive benefits to mental and physical health, youth achievement, and community connection is at the forefront of all that we do.

The Team

Led by passion, determination and unwavering commitment, SFFSR was founded by the “unsinkable” Seth Socolow. Soon after, Anthony Giles came on board. Most recently, Nikhil Desai has joined. This dedicated trio is leading the charge every day.

The Work

From the renovation of 15 tennis courts, 13 playgrounds, and adaptive sports, SFFSR continues to contribute to renovation projects across San Francisco from as early as 2015. Learn more about these initiatives and their impact.

How We Got Our Start

Our story starts in the heart of SoMa...

When development threatened the longstanding San Francisco Tennis Club on 5th and Brannan Streets, San Franciscans for Sports & Recreation (SFFSR) was born. Shortly after its founding, members hit the streets and collected over 18,000 signatures for a 2016 ballot measure to save the club and support recreational facilities throughout the city.

In order to avert a ballot vote, the developer agreed to rebuild the club below the planned office building as well as provide a temporary facility during construction—but it was no longer just about this one sport, one club, or one block. SFFSR also struck a deal in which the developer agreed to commit over $1.864 million toward public recreation upkeep and upgrades to be administered by SFFSR.

Highlights of our history

Select challenges and
victories along the way

The Spark that Started SFFSR

When development threatened the longstanding San Francisco Tennis Club on 5th and Brannan Streets, SFFSR was born out of the need for justice and change.

October 12, 2015

Grassroots Success

Our members hit the streets and collected over 18,000 signatures for a 2016 ballot measure to save the club and support recreational facilities throughout the city. The development company agreed to replace the original tennis club with a new, onsite facility

January 2016

A Major Funding Wave for San Francisco

In 2017, SFFSR donated $1,864,000 to Rec and Parks to fund improvements to athletic areas. One million dollars was dedicated to general recreation support, with $864,000 reserved to resurface public tennis courts.

January 2017

McLaren Park Reopens with Art Agnos

We hosted a community day at McLaren Park with Former Mayor Art Agnos, SF Recreation & Parks Department, and Youth Tennis Advantage. The event included an exhibition match, fun clinics and the official reopening of the McLaren tennis courts, which were resurfaced.

June 2018

Playground Funded & Reopened After Fire

We donated $95,000 towards rebuilding Koret Playground with new play equipment, nine months after it was left torched and unusable.

April 2019

Golden Gate Park Tennis Court Renovation

We are proud to have contributed to funds donated for the historic, 125-year-old tennis complex in Golden Gate Park. It features 17 regulation courts, a sunken feature court, and a pickleball court. The project also includes a 7,800-square-foot clubhouse and a classroom to expand after-school programs for underserved youth, continuing the facility's historic legacy

April 2019

Gene Friend Rec Center & Adaptive Sports

The Gene Friend Recreation Center now offers 10 custom sport wheelchairs, funded by a $105,000 grant from SFFSR, available for public use and free to check out, supporting the center’s adaptive sports initiative.

June 2019

Potrero Hill Renovation Completed

We donated $180,000 to help fund this neighborhood's tennis and basketball court renovation, including painting, gates, landscaping, and accessibility improvements.

August 2019

A Second Battle

But a 2021 revision of the original plan eliminated the tennis club on 5th and Brannan Streets. We set out to appeal this reneging of the original agreement.

December 2019

The Ultimate Triumph

Game. Set. Match. The board of appeals rejected the development group's new plan, forcing them to submit a new plan including the original tennis courts. And once again justice prevailed. This was a big victory for the community over corporate greed.

December 2021

Hunters Point Tennis Courts Reopening

The historic tennis courts founded by Arthur Ashe celebrated its grand reopening. We led the charge in funding renovations for this important facility and celebrated with the community for opening day!

May 2024

Board Statement on Racial Justice

SFFSR stands in unequivocal solidarity with communities of color, especially the Black community, who face disproportionate challenges related to racism, economic inequality, and limited access to safe recreational spaces.

We recognize that systemic racism and inequality have caused deep harm to Black, Indigenous, and communities of color for far too long.

Through our work, particularly in providing access to sports, recreation, and safe play spaces for all, we will advocate for systemic change and support those who are most impacted by racial injustice.

We Need More Places to Play

Hear from Seth Socolow, founder and board member of SFFSR on our organization’s commitment to equitable access in San Francisco recreation during the Gene Friend Rec Center opening ceremony.