San Francisco’s Recreation and Parks: The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department has proposed a $5 reservation fee for over half of the city’s public tennis and pickleball courts. This fee would only apply to reserved courts, while walk-up players can still use the courts for free. However, many residents and players are voicing concerns about the proposal’s impact.
Community Concerns Over Limited Access
The proposed $5 fee would apply to 67 of the city’s 123 tennis courts and 41 of the 67 pickleball courts. Players are worried that the introduction of the fee could eventually lead to more courts becoming reservation-only, further limiting public access to these recreational spaces.
“Most of the members feel that the community wouldn’t be the same,” said Prince Boucher, founder of the Mission Athletic Club, a free tennis group. “It would change the whole feel of the community.”
Impact on Families and Different Age Groups
Pickleball player Suzy Safdie, who has been playing for four years, expressed concern that the fee could take away spaces where people of all ages and skill levels come together to play.
“If they were to take away some of the open-play places to put reservations there instead, you don’t have the dynamic of a 10-year-old playing with an 80-year-old anymore.” – (Suzy Safdie)
City’s Budget Shortfall and Proposed Fee Justification
The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department argues that the fee is necessary to help cover a $15 million budget deficit. Daniel Montes, a spokesperson for the department, explained that the reservation fee is a “practical way” to prevent cuts to essential park services such as maintenance, community pools, and programs for seniors and youth. The city hopes the fee will generate $1 million to help fund these services.
“This proposal isn’t about profit. It’s about preserving core park services for the communities who rely on them most.” – (Montes)
News in Brief: San Francisco’s Recreation and Parks
The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department’s proposal to charge a $5 reservation fee for tennis and pickleball courts has sparked backlash from players who worry it will limit access. The fee is intended to help cover a budget shortfall, but opponents fear it could change the nature of public court access.