Gene Friend Recreation Center
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
The Gene Friend Recreation Center is a popular recreational facility located in San Francisco, California.
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Summary
It is a state-of-the-art facility that is open to the public and offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages. Some of the reasons to visit the center include its affordable pricing, welcoming atmosphere, and abundance of amenities.
There are several points of interest to see at the Gene Friend Recreation Center, such as the indoor swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, gymnasium, and fitness center. The center also has a variety of classes and programs, including yoga, dance, martial arts, and more.
Interesting facts about the area include that the Gene Friend Recreation Center was built in 2007, replacing the old Potrero Hill Recreation Center. The center is named after Gene Friend, a longtime San Francisco resident and community activist who played a key role in advocating for the new facility.
The best time of year to visit the Gene Friend Recreation Center is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the center is open year-round, so visitors can enjoy its amenities and programs throughout the year.
Overall, the Gene Friend Recreation Center is a great place to visit for anyone looking to stay fit, have fun, and meet new people. Its state-of-the-art facilities, wide range of activities, and welcoming atmosphere make it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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