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In 1898, the U.S. Army opened a YMCA in the Presidio, where it served the military during the Spanish American War. The facility operated until the YMCA left in 1954 and the building was demolished in 1980. It wasn't until 1997 that the YMCA returned to the Presidio, this time as a community center.
In fact, community is at the heart of what the Presidio YMCA provides people of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. More than 20,000 people across San Francisco use the Presidio YMCA's facilities, programs, and services that foster recreation, healthy living, and social connection. No one is turned away due to lack of funds.
The Presidio Community YMCA consists of several facilities around the park. The Main Post Fitness Center features a 3,277 square foot fitness floor with exercise machines, a group exercise room, a weight room, a cycling studio, a stretch room, a basketball court, and a child-care center where parents can drop off their kids while they work out. The Letterman Aquatics Center features an indoor six-lane, 25-yard pool, where members can swim laps, get lessons, take aqua fitness classes, and enjoy a therapy pool and hot tub. The Letterman Gym, next door to the pool, hosts a basketball court, youth activities, day camps, bicycle programs, and woodworking workshops. And the Presidio Y offers six tennis courts all around the park.
Youth development is one of the Presidio YMCA's biggest priorities. The Y runs after-school and outreach programs for many San Francisco public schools and provides opportunities for kids and families to have a fun and safe environment to learn, play, and socialize. More than 4,000 kids learn to ride in the Y Bike program each year here, and its youth programs and camps are focused on leadership development, environmental education, cross-cultural awareness, community involvement, and basic outdoor safety. Another way the Presidio YMCA supports youth is through hosting family-friendly events throughout the year, including holiday festivals, a family trail run, and much more.
