A local turf war has erupted in one of San Francisco's most affluent neighborhoods after a private tennis club was accused of orchestrating a 'hostile takeover' of public courts. Rossi Park, located in the Richmond District at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, features three public tennis courts: two that are free and open to all, and a third that operates under a reservation system. However, neighbors have voiced fury over allegations that the courts are being commandeered by the Rossi Racquet Club, a private group organized through Meetup. The controversy, first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, was ignited by a Reddit post and has since drawn numerous complaints to the city.
Allegations of Exclusionary Practices
Founded by Chad Moore, the Rossi Racquet Club is accused of exploiting court rules to exclude players who are not part of the Meetup group. The group suggests a $5 donation to join its back-to-back doubles sessions on weekends. Critics have filed multiple complaints with the city, with one accusing the club of clipping carabiner locks onto gates to prevent access. 'They are gatekeeping and not allowing access to publicly available spaces during open hours,' one complaint stated. Another complaint detailed an incident where the group turned away a couple of University of San Francisco players, claiming the court was reserved for organized play.
City Investigation and Response
The Recreation and Parks Department deputy director confirmed that the courts are open to everyone and stated that the city is investigating the complaints. Options being considered include on-site education, converting more courts to reservation-only use, or requiring permits for recurring groups. Staff are currently monitoring weekend play at Rossi Playground while evaluating enforcement and scheduling changes to ensure the courts remain accessible.
Club's Defense and Community Backlash
The racquet club's Meetup page boasts over 1,000 members and suggests a $5 donation to cover supplies, which critics argue is an attempt to profit from public facilities. In 2025, emails obtained by the outlet revealed a heated exchange between Moore and Jessica Hing, the property manager for the park. Hing had reached out to Moore and other club leaders after receiving a note expressing concerns that the courts were not as welcoming as understood. Moore defended the club, stating, 'We have done nothing wrong, illegal or unwelcoming. We always play fair for ALL!!' A Reddit thread this week exploded with anger, with one user writing, 'There is a group of local players who have essentially staged a hostile takeover of the public, first-come-first-serve courts. They treat these public parks like their own personal country club.' The user added that the group allegedly turns away players by claiming that only doubles can be played and that their group is already playing doubles, leaving any twosome out of luck. However, Rossi Racquet Club member Kimberly Kim defended the group, telling the Chronicle, 'We welcome everybody.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Moore and San Francisco Recreation & Parks for comment.
