Pickleball players in Ashland may soon be required to pay a $20 an hour reservation fee to secure court time at Lithia Park, a move that has sparked concern among many in the local community. Ashland Parks and Recreation is proposing the fee for reserving two of the park’s six pickleball courts. The proposed policy would go into effect this fall and apply only outside of designated open-play hours — Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
"The pickleball community would feel picked on if we were the only ones paying,” said local pickleball player Ron Owen.
Several local players, many of whom say they already contribute to community funding through taxes and feel frustrated by the idea of having to pay more just to play.
Ashland native, Mary Doyle said "It's disappointing that they would charge us to play. I feel like we already pay our taxes”.
Some say the proposed fee could drive players away from Ashland altogether.
Source: https://www.kdrv.com/news/top-stories/city-of-ashland-considers-20-pickleball-court-reservation-fee/article_437cb9d4-0ce5-4c25-9074-d78751c3488d.html