Mayor Lurie Celebrates Upgrades to Three Public Basketball Courts in Partnership With WNBA, Valkyries, and Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today unveiled an official WNBA 3-point line at Margaret S. Hayward Playground in the Western Addition, the latest investment in free, accessible recreation spaces across San Francisco. Created in partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the Golden State Valkyries, and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, the new line gives girls, women, and families a more welcoming place to play as the Valkyries head to the WNBA Finals and San Francisco prepares to host next year’s WNBA All-Star Game. The unveiling follows Wednesday’s reopening of the renovated Nate Thurmond Panhandle Basketball Courts, a project made possible by the Golden State Warriors.

The upgraded courts build on Mayor Lurie’s work to help families put down roots in San Francisco. Under his Family Opportunity Agenda, San Francisco is on track to be the first major city in the U.S. where every family with kids under five has access to childcare. Through his Family Zoning plan and a transformative investment proposed for affordable housing, the city is working to drive new housing creation so San Franciscans can afford to raise their kids here. And investments in public spaces across the city are helping neighborhoods and families thrive: Since spring, Mayor Lurie has reopened the Tenderloin Recreation Center Children’s Play Area, opened the newly rebuilt Eugene L. Friend Recreation Center in the South of Market neighborhood, and unveiled the renovated South Sunset Clubhouse.  

“San Francisco is known around the world for its beautiful parks. But the ‘Rec’ in Rec and Park matters just as much,” said Mayor Lurie. “Our public courts like these are where a kid discovers a love of sports, where friends come to hang out after school, and where San Franciscans of all ages get to play. Now with the new WNBA 3-point lines, young athletes will see themselves represented in their own neighborhood parks and know they belong on the court. I want to thank the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries, the Golden State Warriors, and our Recreation and Park Department for their partnership in upgrading three neighborhood courts across our city and supporting San Francisco’s kids and families.”

The new Fire Orange line at Margaret S. Hayward Playground is part of the WNBA’s Line ’Em Up initiative, which is bringing the league’s official 3-point line to public park courts across the country. The court also features Valkyries and WNBA logos on the surface and backboards. A second neighborhood court, at Joe DiMaggio Playground in North Beach, has also been outfitted with an official WNBA 3-point line and team and league branding, bringing the benefit to more players across the city. Together, Margaret S. Hayward and Joe DiMaggio playgrounds are the first courts in California to get the official WNBA 3-point line.

“This is a historic time for women’s sports,” said Jess Smith, Golden State Valkyries President. “We get to bring the WNBA Finals to the San Francisco Bay Area, continue to elevate women’s sports, and establish the trajectory for the future of this game. But the impact that matters most is on the next generation. Every kid who plays on this court will see this orange line and know the women’s professional game is right here and that it’s a path open to them.”

“As the WNBA Finals come to the Bay Area, we’re thrilled to partner with the Valkyries and San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to bring our nationwide Line ’Em Up initiative to city neighborhood courts,” said Nina Kossoff, WNBA Director of Social Impact. “By bringing a piece of the WNBA to these community spaces, we’re building on the excitement of the Finals to inspire the next generation and reinforce that girls and women belong on every court.”

The renovations at the Nate Thurmond Panhandle Basketball Courts, another investment in the places San Francisco’s kids and residents play, were made possible by the Golden State Warriors, Golden State Community Foundation, and Good Tidings Foundation. Improvements include resurfaced and freshly painted courts in Warriors colors, new rims and backboards, and artwork honoring the late Warriors legend and Hall of Famer. It is the third time the partners have refurbished the courts, which are named for one of the franchise’s most celebrated players and a longtime San Franciscan.

“When we invest in a community court, our work doesn’t end when it’s unveiled,” said Ay’Anna Moody, Golden State Community Foundation Executive Director. “Continuing to care for these spaces helps ensure Bay Area youth have a safe, welcoming place to stay active and connect with their community. We’re proud to return to the Nate Thurmond Panhandle Basketball Courts alongside the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and the Good Tidings Foundation and honor Nate’s legacy through a place where the next generation can play.”

“Everyone is excited about the Valkyries in the finals, and now they can come out and see if they can hit a three just like Gabby Williams,” said Sarah Madland, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager. “This incredible gift comes just days after the Warriors helped give new life to the Nate Thurmond courts. It has been an amazing week for basketball in our parks. We’re so grateful to both the Warriors and Valkyries for showing up for San Francisco and our kids.”

“These revitalized courts present a new beginning for our youth and families across the broader Western Addition community,” said District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood. “The next Nate Thurmond, Steph Curry, or Tiffany Hayes will play on these courts, and it’s a joy to see the inspiration these Valkyries- and Warriors-inspired courts will bring to the next generation of players in San Francisco.”

“As we come together to cheer on the Valkyries, these court improvements mean that everyone will have the chance to experience the passion and joy of women’s basketball,” said District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter. “From our neighborhood courts to the biggest stage in basketball, sports can unite us and show us what's possible with teamwork.”