This is the first time that Fresno's parks department has offered fee waivers for youth sports program. Photo by Alliance Football Club on unsplash.com

On Wednesday, Fresno City Council President Tyler Maxwell announced the launch of a program that aims to spread accessibility to youth sports to all children by lowering the cost to eligible families from $75 to $20.

This year’s budget sets aside $300,000 to help reduce fees for eligible families of youth ages 3 to 15 who hope to participate in city-sponsored recreation programs such as basketball, soccer, flag football and more.

Program participants from seven to 15 are also eligible to receive local collegiate sports tickets for their families.

“This is a first for our department; we’ve never had anything like this in the City Parks Department before,” said Maxwell.

To qualify, household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty line or must show documentation of participation in need-based assistance programs such as EBT, SNAP or WIC, or PG&E CARE or FERA programs, as well as families of foster youth and those enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Applications for fee reductions can be made by contacting the PARCS Customer Service Team at (559) 621-7529 and can also be submitted online, or by visiting the Dicky Youth Community Center at 1515 E. Divisadero St.

The program extends eligibility throughout the calendar year. The waiver applies to all children in approved families.

“Access to new adventures and experiences that are low-cost for our youth is a priority for me and my administration,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer. “Investing in our youth the way this program does is a reason for celebration.”

The program operates on a per-family basis, meaning that every child in an approved household will be eligible to receive the waivers.

“This program provides not just a reduced fee for signup, but you also get a sports pack. You get a water bottle. You get a jersey,” Maxwell said. “It’s really opening the door of athletics to thousands of children in our community who otherwise wouldn’t have that opportunity.”