Sam Dogen, a San Francisco father of two, says park rangers questioned him while he was practicing tennis with his children at Golden Gate Heights Park. The rangers asked whether he had a permit to provide tennis instruction, even though Dogen said the players were his own children. He was not cited, but said he was warned that teaching without a permit could result in a $192 fine. City officials said rangers routinely distinguish between paid instruction and personal recreation on public courts.
| 1) | A family tennis session draws official questions |
| 2) | The encounter ends without a citation |
| 3) | Why park rangers check public-court instruction |
| 4) | A father’s concerns about family-friendly enforcement |
| 5) | What Dogen says he may do next |
A family tennis session draws official questions
Sam Dogen said he took his 6-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son to Golden Gate Heights Park after the family returned from a trip to Hawaii. He said the goal was to spend time outdoors, help the children adjust to jet lag and play tennis, an activity the family had done at the public courts before.
About 20 minutes into the practice session, two San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department rangers approached the family. According to Dogen, they asked whether he had a permit to teach tennis. He said he was surprised because the players were his children and there was no one waiting to use the court.
“I was immediately thinking to myself, ‘What are you talking about? These are my kids?’” Dogen said.
The encounter ends without a citation
Dogen said the questioning continued until one of his children clarified the family relationship. He recalled that his son told the rangers, “He’s my daddy.” The family was not issued a citation, and Dogen described the interaction as an educational warning rather than a formal penalty.
Even so, Dogen said one ranger told him that providing tennis instruction without the required permit could lead to a $192 fine. He said his priority during the encounter was keeping the situation calm while his young children stood nearby.
“My only instinct was to de-escalate and keep my 6-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son safe,” Dogen said.
Why park rangers check public-court instruction
A spokesperson for the city department, Tamara Aparton, said rangers routinely ask questions when they see people providing instruction on public courts. The purpose, she said, is to determine whether the activity is commercial or simply personal recreation.
Paid tennis instruction is not allowed on public courts without a permit. The department characterized the exchange as a routine interaction intended to establish whether Dogen was operating a business. Officials did not issue a citation in this case, indicating that the encounter ended after the rangers determined the family was using the court for personal purposes.
A father’s concerns about family-friendly enforcement
Dogen said he understands why San Francisco regulates commercial instruction, particularly when coaches may be using public facilities for paid services. However, he argued that parents teaching their own children should be clearly distinguished from commercial instructors.
He said the encounter raised broader concerns about how city rules affect families in a high-cost urban environment. Dogen expressed hope that officials would enforce park regulations in a way that feels more welcoming to parents and children.
“My hope is that San Francisco becomes a more welcoming place for children and families, not a place where a father teaching his own kids tennis on an empty court gets threatened with a $192 fine,” he said.
What Dogen says he may do next
Dogen said the experience may change how he prepares for future visits to public courts. He joked that he could carry proof of his children’s identities in his tennis bag to avoid another misunderstanding, although he made clear that he does not intend to obtain a permit simply to teach his own children.
The incident ended without a ticket or court penalty. It nevertheless highlighted the practical challenge of applying rules designed for commercial instruction when city staff encounter parents coaching their children during ordinary family recreation.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dogen was questioned while practicing tennis with his 6-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son. |
| 2 | The family was not cited, although Dogen said he was warned of a possible $192 fine. |
| 3 | City officials said permits are required for paid tennis instruction on public courts. |
| 4 | Dogen wants parents coaching their own children to be treated differently from commercial instructors. |
Summary
The encounter at Golden Gate Heights Park resulted from a question about whether tennis instruction was commercial and therefore required a permit. Although Dogen found the interaction disruptive and unsettling, the department said the rangers were carrying out a routine check, and no citation was issued. The episode has prompted a discussion about how public-court rules should apply to parents teaching their own children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did park rangers question Sam Dogen?
Rangers asked whether he had a permit to teach tennis because paid instruction on public courts requires authorization. Dogen said he was coaching his own children for personal recreation.
Was Dogen fined?
No. The family was not cited. Dogen said a ranger told him that teaching without a permit could have resulted in a $192 fine.
What did city officials say about the encounter?
A department spokesperson said rangers routinely determine whether people using public courts are providing paid instruction or simply engaging in personal recreation, including coaching their children.
What does Dogen want changed?
He said parents teaching their own children should be clearly distinguished from commercial tennis instructors and called for a more family-friendly approach to enforcement.
