Pay-to-Play: Pickleballers Clash with San Francisco Over New Court Fees

Pickleball players in San Francisco are protesting a proposed $5-per-hour fee for court reservations, arguing it unfairly targets a sport known for its accessibility. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) approved the fee to discourage "no-shows" but now faces backlash from players who believe the cost will limit access, especially for seniors and those on fixed incomes. The measure will be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors in June, with pickleball players actively petitioning and writing letters to oppose it.

RPD claims the fee is necessary to manage court reservations efficiently and to prevent abuse of the current system, where players often book courts without showing up. However, opponents argue that this approach lumps pickleball and tennis players together unfairly and that RPD lacks the means to track no-shows accurately. The fee would only apply to some courts, allowing walk-up play on others, but many see this as a negative precedent for public sports facilities.

Supervisor Connie Chan, chair of The City’s budget committee, has voiced her concerns, highlighting the inequitable impact on older adults and those on fixed incomes. Despite RPD's argument that the fee is lower than those in other cities, opponents maintain it feels like monetizing pickleball’s popularity. They argue the city should be encouraging, not deterring, the use of public recreational spaces.