A San Francisco father says he was questioned by park rangers while playing tennis with his children at a public court, an encounter that ended without citation but raised concerns about local enforcement policies.
Sam Dogen, a father of two, was practicing with his 6-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son at Golden Gate Heights Park after returning from a family trip. Approximately 20 minutes into their session, two rangers from the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department approached and asked whether he had a permit to teach tennis.
Dogen stated he was unaware of any permit requirement for coaching his own children. The rangers informed him that teaching without a permit could result in a $192 fine, though no citation was issued. The encounter concluded after one of Dogen’s children clarified that he was their father.
Department policy and response
The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department has stated that rangers routinely check whether individuals providing instruction on public tennis courts are operating commercially. According to the department, paid tennis instruction requires a permit, and rangers enforce this rule to ensure compliance with local regulations.
A spokesperson for the department previously told The San Francisco Standard that these checks are part of standard enforcement to prevent unauthorized commercial activity on public courts.
Father questions enforcement rationale
Dogen described the interaction as unnecessary and disruptive to a family outing. He noted that no other players were waiting to use the court at the time, raising questions about the purpose of the intervention.
"There was nobody waiting," Dogen said. "It was just a surprise to me. Why even bother trying to disrupt a perfectly nice afternoon, father with his children?"
The department has not publicly commented further on the specific incident beyond its general policy explanation.
Background on public tennis court regulations
San Francisco’s public tennis courts are managed by the Recreation and Parks Department, which sets rules for court usage. While recreational play is permitted without restrictions, the department requires permits for individuals providing paid instruction or coaching services.
Violations of this policy can result in fines, though enforcement varies based on circumstances. Rangers conduct routine checks to identify and address unauthorized commercial activity.
The incident involving Dogen highlights ongoing discussions about the balance between public access and regulatory enforcement on city-managed recreational facilities.