Grass volleyball players press Recreation and Park Department for more nets, lower permit costs and clearer rules

Dozens of members of San Francisco’s grass volleyball community addressed the Recreation and Park Commission during two public-comment periods, asking the department to expand permitted playing sites, allow more nets per field at some locations, simplify and lower permit fees for community-run events and provide clearer guidance on equipment and turf protections.

Speakers representing Wednesday-in-the-Park organizers, beginner lessons and ad-hoc tournaments said the community is diverse, volunteer-run and provides health and social benefits that align with the department’s mission. “We are an inclusive and diverse community of over a thousand San Franciscans who rely on this sport for exercise, mental health, and social connection,” said George (last name in public record), a longtime resident and organizer who opened the group’s presentation.

Several presenters described operational challenges: the current permit framework charges volunteer groups fees that speakers said can reach several hundred dollars for a single afternoon open clinic; only a handful of public volleyball courts exist in the city compared with far larger inventories for tennis, basketball and pickleball; and equipment rules (for example, whether plastic rather than aluminum stakes must be used) are still being negotiated. Harrison Lin, a mechanical engineer and player, told the commission the community is testing plastic stake designs and expects to deliver recommendations to staff in the coming weeks.

Department representatives — Dana Keshem and Beverly Ng among staff referenced in the record — told the commission staff have met with community organizers, acknowledged maintenance and turf concerns and are exploring site-specific caps, net counts and operational rules. Commissioner discussion requested a formal follow-up and the chair asked staff to return to the commission in July with a status update and possible permit adjustments.

Grass-volleyball organizers also offered to help with volunteer stewardship, turf-rotation plans and low-cost fundraising, citing examples of community tournaments and apparel sales that raised modest sums for park costs. The conversation concluded with the commission agreeing to continue collaborative talks; commissioners signaled support for exploring a permit structure that accommodates recurring, volunteer-run, low-cost programming while protecting turf and park visitors.