Council adopted amendments to parks and recreation fees on second reading on Aug. 4, 2025, approving a package of changes that raises charges for camp registration, aquatics daily admissions and season passes, indoor and pavilion rentals, select golf fees, and introduces event rental fees for the new Albert Oakland pickleball complex.

Nut graf: Parks staff said fee adjustments are needed to keep pace with rising part‑time labor costs (the department expects to meet a $15/hour minimum on Jan. 1, 2026), increased materials and utility expenses, and to cover improvements and new services while preserving scholarship programs for low‑income users.

Parks Director Gabe Huffington and Recreation Services Manager Kavel Cole Neil summarized the slate of changes: Camp Como weekly fees would increase modestly (e.g., from $135 to $150–$155 per week) and introduce a $75 nonrefundable registration amount for some later weeks to reduce late cancellations; ARC daily admission would increase by $0.25 with proportional changes in passes; seasonal pool admission and season‑pass prices would rise in parts of the system where fees had not changed since 2020; Rickman Pavilion rental fees were raised (weekday full day from $400 to $430) and several indoor room rents increased; golf green fees would see a $2 increase to support a new GPS cart system and electric cart fleet upgrades; and the new 10‑court pickleball complex will have an all‑day tournament/event fee option for organized events while remaining first‑come, first‑served for casual play.

Staff emphasized built‑in assistance: Parks maintains a $50,000 financial‑assistance pool for youth and adults; scholarship eligibility uses free/reduced lunch and similar economic indicators and is administered through the ARC; adults may requalify for reduced ARC access with an application process. Councilmembers asked questions about timing, impacts and partnerships (for example, with Columbia Housing Authority clients and nonprofit youth groups), and staff said they will monitor use and adjust as needed.

Ending: Council approved the fee amendments to produce an estimated $200,000–$250,000 additional annual revenue for the department while maintaining financial‑assistance pathways; staff will report back as implementation and demand data become available.