Columbus Recreation and Parks will raise facility and program fees in 2026 to cover rising costs in staffing, maintenance, and utilities while maintaining safe and high-quality city parks.
Columbus Recreation and Parks fees 2026
Starting in 2026, residents and visitors will notice higher fees at Columbus city parks and recreation facilities. Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Bernita Reese explained that the increases are necessary due to rising costs in staffing, maintenance, and utilities.
“While we always strive to do more with less, maintaining the quality of services requires adjustments,” said Reese.
Most fees are set to increase this year, including pool admissions, which will triple from $1 to $3. The fee adjustments help the department manage soaring costs while continuing to provide safe and well-maintained facilities. For example, pool chemical expenses alone have grown from nearly $70,000 in 2022 to $145,000 in 2025.
Reese noted that the city’s expanded park system and recent renovations have also contributed to higher operating costs. In 2025, utilities exceeded $5 million, and personnel costs accounted for more than $30 million, representing over half of the department’s annual budget.
Additional fee increases will affect tournament field rentals, golf course fees, and open-air shelter rentals. While 75% of the department’s budget comes from general tax revenue, the remaining 25% relies on revenue from programs, classes, and facility rentals. In 2024, the department spent over $77 million and generated more than $16 million in revenue.
Reese emphasized that the fee increases are not profit-driven but aimed at covering operational costs while keeping facilities safe and accessible. Some fees, including adult and senior program charges, will remain unchanged until the department gathers community feedback and reassesses the situation in fall 2026.
The department plans to host community meetings in the coming months to involve residents, particularly seniors and adult program participants, in discussions about potential future fee adjustments.
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