Tucson Parks and Recreation Proposed Rate and Fee Changes

Published on April 08, 2026

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Following a vote during the Mayor and Council meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the City of Tucson has issued a notice of intent (NOI) for proposed rate and fee changes for the Parks and Recreation department, as required by Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-499.15.
 
There will be six in-person and one virtual meeting for community members to learn more about the proposed rate and fee changes.
 
Want to leave a comment? 

Submit your comments about any of the department fees through the comment portal below. The comment portal will close on Sunday, May 17. 

Upcoming Public Meetings

Thursday, April 9, 5:30-7 p.m.
Donna R. Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave.

Saturday, April 11, 10-11:30 a.m.
Fred Archer Center, 1665 S. La Cholla Blvd.

Tuesday, April 14, 5:30-7 p.m.
El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road

Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 p.m.
 Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way

Thursday, April 16, 5:30-7 p.m.
Morris K. Udall Recreation Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road

Saturday, April 18, 10-11:30 a.m.
Clements Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Dr.

Monday, April 20, 5:30-7 p.m.
 Virtual Meeting
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89925574155

Meetings have also been set for specific user groups affected by some of the proposed fee changes. Those user groups are sports, aquatics, golf, and youth programs (KIDCO, In-Betweener's Club, and School’s Out). The department will be reaching out to those user groups separately.

Learn More: Parks and Recreation Rate and Fee Proposal 

Tucson Parks and Recreation is proposing updates to its fee schedule as part of a broader effort to better recover the cost of delivering public services and maintain the quality of Tucson’s parks, pools, and recreation programs. The new fees, if approved by Mayor and Council, would take effect July 1, 2026, with progressions each year for some.  

Why Are Fees Changing? 

The department conducted an internal cost-of-service analysis and found that many current fees do not adequately cover the cost of providing programs and maintaining facilities. The proposed changes aim to close that gap, fund ongoing maintenance, and introduce fees for newly offered services, while keeping programs accessible to residents who need financial assistance.

What Happens Next? 

  • April 7, 2026: Mayor and Council initiated the formal fee review process
  • April 8-May 17: Community engagement sessions on the proposed changes

  • June 9, 2026: Mayor and City Council public hearing for adoption of the proposed fee schedule

Key Fee Changes at a Glance

All fees below are City of Tucson resident rates. Non-residents are subject to an increased fee. The department is proposing to update its non-resident surcharge from 25% to 50% above the resident fee. This change would require a separate update to the city code and would be subject to additional approval by the Mayor and Council.

KIDCO, In-Betweeners, & School's Out

Programs below are eligible for the Discount Program (low-income assistance)

KIDCO Summer Camp

  • Current: $31.25/week ($125 per 4-week session)
  •  Proposed July 1, 2026: $50/week ($200 per 4-week session)
  • Progression: 
    • July 1, 2027: $70/week ($280 per 4-week session)
    • July 1, 2028: $90/week ($360 per 4-week session)
    • July 1, 2029: $110/week ($440 per 4-week session)

In-Betweeners Summer Camp

  • Current: $8/week ($64 per 8-week session)
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $12.75/week ($100 per 8-week session)
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $16.75/week ($134 per 8-week session)
    • July 1, 2028: $20.75/week ($166 per 8-week session)
    • July 1, 2029: $25/week ($200 per 8-week session)

KIDCO Afterschool

  • Current: $50/month ($500/school year)
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $67.50/month ($675/school year)
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $85/month ($850/school year)
    • July 1, 2028: $102.50/month (1025/school year)
    • July 1, 2029: $120/month ($1,200/school year)

School's Out Camps

  • Current: $5/day ($25/week)
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $10/day ($50/week)
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $14/day ($70/week)
    • July 1, 2028: $18/day ($90/week)
    • July 1, 2029: $22/day ($110/week)

Sports

Youth Sport Team Fee 

  • Current: No fee 
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $100/team per season
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $115 per team per season
    • July 1, 2028: $130 per team per season
    • July 1, 2029: $145 per team per season  

Adult Field Rental Fee 

  • Current: $20 daytime (3 hrs.), $30 nighttime (2 hrs.), $15 Reid baseball surcharge 
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $44 reg field (2 hrs.), $66 game only field (2 hrs.) at Reid and Lincoln 5–8, Seniors free Monday–Friday before noon
  • Progression: No changes in 2027–2029 

Tournament Fee 

  • Current: $155 profit, $80 non-profit 
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $180 profit, $90 non-profit (non-profit = 50% of profit fee)
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $205 profit, $102.50 non-profit
    • July 1, 2028: $230 profit, $115 non-profit
    • July 1, 2029: $255 profit, $127.50 non-profit

Field Lining Fee

  • Current: $25/instance 
  • Proposed (after initial lining) July 1, 2026: $40 softball/baseball, $200 soccer/ultimate frisbee, $340 football/rugby/lax
  • Progression: No changes in 2027–2029 

Udall Pickleball 

  • Current: No fee. 
  •  Proposed July 1, 2026: To be a managed location like Fort Lowell, Reffkin, and Himmel. 
  •  Next progression effective Jan. 1, 2028, consistent with 2024 adopted fee adjustments. 

Aquatics

Learn to Swim

  • Learn to Swim programs are eligible for the Discount Program (low-income assistance)
  • Current: $15 for 8 half-hour classes
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $25 for 8 half-hour classes
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $30 for 8 half-hour classes
    • July 1, 2028: $35 for 8 half-hour classes
    • July 1, 2029: $40 for 8 half-hour classes

Private Learn to Swim Lessons

  • Current: No fee. 
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $160 for 8 half-hour classes
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $170 for 8 half-hour classes
    • July 1, 2028: $180 for 8 half-hour classes
    • July 1, 2029: $190 for 8 half-hour classes

Aquatics-Based Fitness Classes

  • Current: Variable $21–$48/session
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: 100% cost recovery (mirroring the leisure class model)
  • Maintained through 2029

Lap Swim & Therapy Pool Pass

  • Current: No fee
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $30/month ($324/year, with a 10% annual discount)
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $35/month ($378/year)
    • July 1, 2028: $40/month ($432/year)
    • July 1, 2029: $45/month ($486/year)

Exclusive Pool Use (outside normal hours)

  • Current: $50/hour
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $100/hour
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $110/hour
    • July 1, 2028: $120/hour
    • July 1, 2029: $130/hour

Shared Use Lap Lane Rental (during normal hours)

  • Current: $6 per lane, per hour (short course), $15 per lane, per hour (long course)
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $18 per hour, per lane
  • Progression: 
    • July 1, 2027: $20 per hour, per lane
    • July 1, 2028: $25 per hour, per lane
    • July 1, 2029:  $30 per hour, per lane

Swim Meet & Special Event Use

  • Current: $100 per hour
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $150 per hour, to include an added hour to allow 30-minute prep and 30-minute breakdown
  • Progression:
    • July 1, 2027: $175 per hour
    • July 1, 2028: $200 per hour
    • July 1, 2029: $225/hour 

Other (Leisure Classes, Reservable Areas, Holiday Arts & Craft Fair, Golf)

Leisure Classes

  • Current: 77% cost recovery
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: 100% cost recovery
  • Progression: Remain at 100% cost recovery

Open Studio Time

  • Current: $75 for 10-punch pass (or $7.50 per hour)
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $90 for 10 hours (or $10 per hour)

Open Area Rental

  • Current: No fee
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: Up to $100 per hour

Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair

  • Current: $90 for weekend
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $150 for weekend
  • Progression: 
    • July 1, 2027: $175 for weekend
    • July 1, 2028: $200 for weekend
    • July 1, 2029: $225 for weekend

Golf Course Capital Fee

  • Current: No fee
  • Proposed July 1, 2026: $2 per round of golf on top of golf fee

Discount Program

New Discount Program: Eligibility & Fee Chart

Current Program

  • Flat 50% discount for KIDCO & Learn to Swim participants at 175% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

Proposed Program

  • Aligned to the Tucson Water discount scale with tiered discounts based on FPL:
    • 100% FPL → 80% discount
    • 125% FPL → 60% discount
    • 150% FPL → 40% discount
    • 200% FPL → 20% discount

Income Eligibility (Annual Household Income)

  • Household of 1: $15,960 – $31,920
  • Household of 2: $21,640 – $43,280
  • Household of 4: $33,000 – $66,000
  • Household of 8: $55,720 – $111,440
  • Each additional person over 8: add $5,680 – $11,360

Programs Included in Discount Structure

  • KIDCO Afterschool (monthly rate)
  • School's Out Camp (per 5 days)
  • KIDCO Summer Camp (per 4-week session)
  • In-Betweeners Teen Camp (per week)
  • Learn to Swim (per 8 classes)

Key Note

  • Discounted fees scale proportionally with full-rate fee increases each year through 2029–2030

 

 

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