San Francisco opens $26.1M Herz Recreation Center in McLaren Park

San Francisco unveiled the Herz Recreation Center in John McLaren Park on Jan. 11, 2026, marking the city's first ground-up recreation center in more than 25 years. The 11,500-square-foot facility delivers an indoor full-size basketball court with 200 spectator seats, a multipurpose room, offices, a kitchen and dedicated community spaces for classes and programming. Outdoor upgrades include new pathways, a fitness terrace, picnic areas and landscaping designed to improve access to the park for nearby neighborhoods.

The project cost $26.1 million and was financed through a mix of city bonds, federal grants and private partners. That equates to roughly $2,270 per square foot for the building alone, a figure that reflects urban construction costs as well as the scope of site work and outdoor improvements. Planning began in 2019 and construction started in 2023, yielding a three-year construction period and a seven-year timeline from plan to opening.

For Sunnydale and Visitacion Valley residents, the center addresses longstanding needs for local programming and recreation space. The 200-seat court creates capacity for local leagues, school partnerships and neighborhood events that previously required travel across town. Multipurpose rooms and kitchen facilities expand possibilities for early childhood classes, adult education and community gatherings, potentially increasing participation in city-run programs and neighborhood cohesion.

From an economic and policy perspective, the Herz project illustrates San Francisco's renewed investment in capital projects in underserved parts of the city. Funding that blended municipal bonds and federal grants reflects a common strategy to leverage multiple revenue streams for neighborhood infrastructure. The upfront capital outlay will be followed by operating costs for staffing, maintenance and programming; sustaining services will require ongoing budget allocations or new revenue streams from program fees and private partnerships.

The center also has implications for local real estate and small business activity. Improved amenities in and around McLaren Park can raise neighborhood visibility and support nearby commercial corridors by increasing foot traffic during program hours. At the same time, city planners and community advocates will be watching how the city balances improved amenities with housing affordability pressures in a market where amenity-driven demand can translate into rising rents over time.

Long-term value will depend on program delivery and the city's ability to secure steady operating funds. The Herz Recreation Center is a physical asset that can anchor community services, but its social return hinges on enrollment, partnerships with schools and nonprofits, and the extent to which the city maintains accessible hours and affordable programs.

The takeaway? San Francisco has invested a sizable chunk of capital into community infrastructure here — now the task is to turn walls, courts and terraces into sustained opportunities. Check available programming through San Francisco Recreation and Parks and get involved locally to help shape schedules that work for families, seniors and youth. Our two cents? Treat the new center like a neighborhood commons: use it, support it, and hold the city accountable for keeping it open and affordable.