San Francisco dad questioned by park rangers for teaching his own kids tennis at public court

A San Francisco father, Sam Dogen, was playing tennis with his two young children at a public park when park rangers approached him, inquiring if he possessed a permit to teach tennis. The rangers believed he might be illegally offering paid lessons, a service that requires a permit. The situation was resolved when Dogen’s son clarified that he was his father, and the family was never cited.

• Sam Dogen was playing tennis with his two children at Golden Gate Heights Park.
• Park rangers questioned Dogen, asking if he had a permit to teach tennis.
• The rangers believed Dogen might be illegally offering paid lessons.
• Dogen clarified that he was only playing with his own children.
• The family was not cited, but Dogen was informed that a fine of $192 could be imposed for teaching without a permit.
• Dogen expressed frustration with the interaction, emphasizing that he was with his children and not conducting commercial lessons.
• A spokesperson for the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department stated that rangers routinely check for commercial instruction on public courts.
• Dogen hopes the incident will lead to a more welcoming approach to families enforcing park rules.