Across Orange county, handball courts are more than just concrete walls and marked lines. They are gathering places, community builders, and spaces where the sport’s rich history and culture thrive. As cities reevaluate park usage, these courts face an uncertain future, yet their importance to local communities remains steadfast.

From Orange to Santa Ana, Tustin to Garden Grove, the availability of handball courts varies widely. Some cities boast multiple courts, while others have just one or none at all. Despite this disparity, the courts that do exist are bustling with activity, drawing players and spectators alike.

Uneven Access Across Orange County

The distribution of handball courts in Orange County is far from uniform. El Camino Real Park in Orange offers six courts, while Santa Ana maintains six courts spread across multiple parks, including El Salvador Park, Jerome Park, Memorial Park, Delhi Park, Rosita Park, and Campesino Park. Smaller cities like Tustin have just one multi-use wall, and Placentia and Garden Grove have multiple courts across several parks.

However, cities like Anaheim and Villa Park currently have no public handball courts. Mike Lyster, a spokesperson for Anaheim, attributes this decline to shifting recreational trends. Sports like pickleball and skateboarding have gained popularity, reducing demand for handball courts. “The decline of handball courts reflects changing recreational trends,” Lyster said.

The Santa Ana Handball Club: A Beacon for the Sport

The Santa Ana Handball Club, founded in 2026 by Gilbert Granado, is a nonprofit youth organization dedicated to promoting the sport. Granado organizes roughly 20 events each year for both youth and adults across cities in Riverside and Los Angeles counties. The club’s recent tournament at Memorial Park drew enthusiastic participants and spectators.

Granado and other club members emphasize the importance of introducing handball to younger generations to ensure the sport’s longevity. “It’s good for the young generation so the sport won’t die,” said Beto Gomez, a club member. “There are gradually fewer and fewer players, and hopefully we can grow something bigger.”

The club’s efforts extend beyond tournaments. They aim to change the public’s perception of handball, which is often stigmatized. “I wish people would see the game in a more positive aspect,” Granado said. “They may think it’s only played in prison or by gang members, but that’s just a stigma. The people who play aren’t involved in that. They are very dedicated players, and it’s actually a difficult and competitive sport.”

Community and Connection

For many players, handball is more than just a game. It provides structure, purpose, and a sense of belonging. Pedro Carmona, a longtime member of the Santa Ana Handball Club, said, “I really think that it helps take you away from the streets and keep you away from bad things.”

At courts like those in El Camino and Memorial Park, weekends draw steady crowds—not just players, but families, spectators, and local food vendors. These gatherings foster a sense of community and connection that extends beyond the game itself. “I think it’s important to get together as a community and play the game we love, in fairness,” Granado said.

Players like Juan Martinez, who has been with the Santa Ana Handball Club from the beginning, highlight the sport’s challenges and the camaraderie it fosters. “We come out, we have fun, we get our exercise in. It’s a difficult game to play,” Granado said. “It looks easy from the outside, but once you get on the court, you realize how hard the game is.”

As cities continue to reconsider how park spaces are allocated and developed, players and organizers argue that handball courts should not be overlooked. “Every little step counts, and most importantly requires the community to push this sport forwards,” Martinez said. “I wish it was more mainstream. I want to see handball being involved in school curriculums just like soccer, basketball.”