Sports and Recreation in Pleasanton

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Sports and other recreational activities are a great way to stay in shape, meet people, and just have fun. Thanks to the many resources offered by the City of Pleasanton, there's an activity for every taste. The City of Pleasanton's Parks and Community Services Department offers a variety of sports and recreation opportunities, including basketball, volleyball, softball, and soccer leagues and drop-in activities like tennis, swimming, badminton, and bocce ball.

"Pleasanton has some of the most diverse opportunities for those who want to get involved in recreational sports-regardless of their level or fitness or skill," says Dan Villasenor, softball coordinator for the City Parks and Community Service department. "Whether you want to swim laps or shoot hoops, Pleasanton has it all." Here's all the information you need to get involved.

Softball

Registration has ended for the spring 2003 softball leagues. However, softball leagues will form again for the fall league. There are some important dates to remember: On May 12, 2003 fall sign-up packets will be available. Resident sign ups take place from June 2 - 16. Walk-in registration for new teams, residents, and non-residents, is June 26, with mail-in registration for leagues beginning the first week of August. Spring 2004 signups start in the winter.

Leagues that will be forming include men's, women's, co-ed, men's masters (35 years and up), men's business, co-ed business, and men's legends (50 years and up). For softball league questions, call Dan Villasenor, softball supervisor (925) 931-3437.

Basketball

Fall 2003 men's basketball registration takes place from August 11 to 15 at the city's Tennis and Community Park office, 5801 Valley Avenue. Play takes place on Thursdays at 6:30, 7:40 and 8:50 from September 4 to November 13 at the Harvest Park, Pleasanton Middle or Thomas Hart school gymnasiums. Team registration information is available at the Tennis and Community Park, 5801 Valley Avenue. The top three teams will qualify for league playoffs as play continues to determine a new champion.

Winter league registration is from November 10-14 for play from December 4, 2003 to February 26, 2004. Spring registration takes place from February 23 to February 27, 2004 for play from March 11 to May 20, 2004. Due to increased demand, the city will sponsor additional leagues in the Fall of 2004.

Volleyball

Registration for the Fall 2003 adult co-ed volleyball league is from August 11 to August 15 at 5:00 pm at the Tennis and Community Park Office, 5801 Valley Avenue. Play is on Mondays, starting on September 8 and finishing on November 17, with games at 6:30, 7:40, and 8:50 pm. The City of Pleasanton is sponsoring fall volleyball leagues in the gymnasiums at Harvest Park Middle School, Pleasanton Middle School, and in Hacienda at Thomas Hart Middle School. The top three teams will qualify for league playoffs. A set of rules will be sent to each team manager after registration is completed. For more information, call (925) 931-3449.

Winter volleyball league registration is from November 10-14 with games played December 1, 2004 to March 1, 2004. Spring signups are from February 23 to February 27, 2004, for play from March 15 to June 7, 2004.

Tennis

The Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park, 5801 Valley Avenue, at the corner of Hopyard Road and Valley Avenue has 10 lighted courts, all of which are available on a pay-as-you-play basis, although discount cards and mid-day reduced rates are available. To make a reservation, call (925) 931-3446. Other public courts located at community parks and schools in Pleasanton are free of charge. They are Muirwood Park (four courts), 4701 Muirwood Drive; Fairlands Park (two courts), W. Las Positas Boulevard and Gulfstream; Creekside Park (practice backboard only) at 5665 W. Las Positas Boulevard in Hacienda; and a special private facility for Hacienda employees and residents in Hacienda's Linear Park, adjacent to the Valencia housing development.

Office and court hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 10:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Sunday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. The courts may close early, however, if there are no court reservations past 5:00 pm. Ladies' singles and doubles, men's singles and doubles, and mixed doubles leagues are also available.

Registration for autumn league play takes place on a first-come, first-served basis and begins with mail-in or fax registration the week of August 4. Walk-in registration for residents begins August 11 and non-resident registration begins August 18. League play begins in September and continues for six weeks, followed immediately by another league. Participants can sign up for both leagues at the same time.

For winter leagues, residents can sign up by mail or fax during the week of December 08, with non-resident registration beginning a week later Walk-in registration begins for everyone on January 5.

Tennis lessons, which take place after working hours on weekdays, are also available on a monthly basis. Private tennis lessons are also available at all skill levels.

All sign-ups take place at the tennis park. Call (925) 931-3446 for additional information or to make court reservations.

Soccer

Pleasanton offers several opportunities to play the world's most popular sport. Pleasanton Adult Sunday Soccer (PASS) runs leagues on Sundays throughout the year. For information, call (925) 895-3180.

Informal lunch-hour soccer leagues, which are also available, were begun in 1993 by employees of Nellcor, Puritan & Bennett. The games are informal, drop-in, and co-ed. Usually two games are going with approximately 16 players.

These informal pick-up games are from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Pleasanton Sports Park on Hopyard Road during the summer and when the weather is good. When the weather turns rainy and the Sports Park is closed, play moves to Muir Woods Park, 4701 Muirwood Drive. For information on participating, call (925) 463-4539.

Aquatics

Pleasanton offers a tremendous resource for swimmers at the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center, 4455 Black Avenue, (925) 931-3420. The center has four heated pools: a large shallow pool with a water slide; a diving pool with one meter and three meter springboard diving boards; a 25 meter, 8-lane racing pool; and a 50-meter by 25 yard competitive pool.

The staff offers water exercise programs including a sunrise workout from 6:00 am to 6:55 am; competitive stroke classes and aqua aerobics at 8:00 am, 9:15 am, and 6:00 pm; and recreational swimming from April (on weekends) through September.

Lap swimming hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 am to 7:30 am and 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, as well as Monday through Thursday from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

The Aquatic Center's office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. For additional aquatics information, call Delcea Wills at (925) 931-3420.

Badminton

Drop-in badminton continues year round in Hacienda at West Las Positas Boulevard and Willow Road on Saturday evenings from 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm and Sunday evenings from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Play is for co-ed teams at any skill level. The fee is $4 per person per day and play is at Thomas Hart Middle School gymnasium (nine courts).

Bocce Ball

Two bocce ball courts at the Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Boulevard, are open to the public from 9:00 am to noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Newcomers are welcome, no equipment is needed and volunteers are happy to show people how to play.

The courts are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the summer. Bocce ball league play for beginners through advanced players runs through the end of August in the evenings. The drop in fee is $1 for residents and $1.50 for non-residents. For more information, call Pam Deaton at (925) 931-5367.

Other Activities

Quarterly Activities Guides include information on sports leagues and activities and are available at no charge at the Parks and Community Services office, 200 Old Bernal Avenue (925) 931-5340. The information is also online at www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/parks.html.

In addition to the numbers listed in each section above, you can also find out more about the City of Pleasanton's sports leagues by contacting Mark Spiller, sports Manager, at (925) 931-5348.

Additional info - Open Gyms Adult Basketball ($2 per person) Saturdays, 6:45 am to 8:45 am, Harvest Park (residents only) Sundays, 8:00 am to 10:00 am, Pleasanton Middle School Mondays, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Thomas Hart (residents only)

Adult Volleyball ($3.00 per person) Sundays, 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, Harvest Park

Adult Badminton ($4.00 per person) Saturdays, 7:00 - 11:00 pm, Thomas Hart Sundays, 6:00 -10:00 pm, Thomas Hart

Photo: Pleasanton's recreation opportunities include tennis at the Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park (above), softball in organized leagues, and swimming at the Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center (photos credit: Doug Jorgensen).

Also in this issue...