On the cusp of the NBA All-Star Weekend, Jackson Playground in Potrero Hill just got a major splash of vibrancy with a new basketball court mural. The colorful addition is the fruit of a collaboration between the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, local artist Victor Solomon, and the Courtside Foundation, transforming the court into not just a place for hoops, but also a canvas displaying the community's spirit and passion for the game.

"As San Francisco hosts NBA All-Star Weekend, we're thrilled to celebrate our city's deep love for basketball through this incredible local project," Mayor Daniel Lurie expressed, as per the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department's social media. Supervisor Shamann Walton emphasized the significance for the Potrero Hill community, stating that this vibrant mural marks the beginning of an exciting transformation for Jackson Playground, a beloved local gathering spot.

The design, inspired by the colors of the San Francisco Bay, is a dizzying array of overlapping and contrasting circles, representative of the movement and that inherent vibrancy that defines both motion and the urban backdrop it sits against. Funded by a $50,000 in-kind donation from the Courtside Foundation, this installation breathes new life into the space set to serve the community until 2027, ahead of a slated full-scale renovation of the park.

"This mural is a slam dunk for Jackson Playground and the neighborhood it serves," said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, acknowledging the positive effect of the new installation. Victor Solomon, a prominent figure in the intersection of basketball and artistry, expressed his delight at seeing the project come to fruition, "Basketball has the power to transform spaces and bring people together," Solomon said, per the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. His hope is that the mural will create a dynamic visual that honors both the game and its community of enthusiasts.