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Council adds pickleball court reservation fee but keeps public play free
Summary
On second reading the Bowie City Council approved Ordinance 2026-05 to add a reservation fee for pickleball courts; council members said the courts remain free for walk-up public use and agreed to review usage and maintenance in six months.
The Bowie City Council approved Ordinance 2026-05 on second reading to add a reservation fee for pickleball courts to Appendix C of the Bowie Code of Ordinances.
Council members clarified that general public use of the courts will remain free, while organized reservations may require payment. Members agreed to review court usage, revenue, and maintenance six months after the ordinance takes effect and consider restricting fee revenue for parks maintenance if council decides that is appropriate.
The council did not specify an offsetting fund in the ordinance; staff advised that without an express restriction the fees would fall to the general fund. Councilmembers asked staff to return with options for restricting or dedicating the fee revenue for court upkeep if council wishes to do so.
Ordinance 2026-05 was adopted as the second reading concluded. Staff will report on court usage and maintenance needs in the follow'up review.
