FAQs

Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for the summer season, May through October, weather permitting.

Permission is not "required," however there is no guarantee that the restrooms will be open, and that space and tables will be available if you are planning a scheduled event on a certain date and time with invited guests.

A minimum of 7 days advance notice is required for all park permit reservations.  All documents and payment of fees are due at the time the reservation is made.

Permits:
Picnic Shelter permits give the holder exclusive use of the picnic shelter for which the permit has been issued on the date and time specified.  All other facilities in and around the permitted shelter in our parks are open to the general public.

Picnic shelter permits include the use of the shelter and the existing set of tables, trash cans, grill(s), and facilities of the shelter.  Additional tables and trash cans can be requested, if available, and are subject to additional fees.  

Groups are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the available facilities and rules of use prior to filling out a picnic shelter reservation request form either in person or online at bit.ly/SPDPicnicPermits

No personal picnic permit is allowed to have bounce houses or water play features brought onto park property as an added amenity to their park-permitted space.  Only large Corporate and Special Event permits allow for such items, including tents to be pre-approved, and additional fees would apply.  Permit holders found either misleading or disobeying the no bounce house or water play feature rules, could be subject to fines and your event being shut down by Park District Police.

Any event on park property is subject to the approval of the Springfield Park District. Certain activities that require a Springfield Park District Special Event Permit include the following:

• Events with 50 or more participants
• Events that invite the general public as a whole to attend
• Use of amplified sound
• Any advertising or sponsorship activities
• Selling and/or distributing food, goods, or merchandise (this includes exercise classes or boot camps)
• Liquor - only with pre-request and approval
• Tents
• Inflatables
• Stages
• Specific location reservations

Please consider there are other activities or proposed event features that may require you to secure a Springfield Park District Special Event Permit. Contact the Springfield Park District Admin Office at (217) 544-1471 ext. 1004 to discuss availability and options.

Download the Event Walk/Run Application, save it, fill it out, and plan to email it back to parks@springfieldparks.org  Spfld_Park_District_WalkRunApp.pdf

Make sure you have your Springfield Park District Special Event Permit on hand. This permit shows that you have permission to use the space for the stated time and date. If you have any problems, please contact Springfield Park District Police at (217) 971-2291.

Applicants must submit a Certificate of Liability to satisfy insurance requirements. A Certificate of General Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 naming the Springfield Park District as “additional insured” and the certificate holder for the date(s) of your event including set up and tear down dates.  Your permit will not be issued if the Certificate of Liability Insurance has not been received and approved 48 hours prior to an event.

No alcoholic beverages shall be sold, brought within, given away, delivered, or consumed on park property, except pursuant to pre-approval for Athletic, Corporate, Festival/Performance Special Event Permits, or with the Special Event Venue Rentals (with a preferred caterer). Additionally, the City of Springfield requires a special event liquor license for any alcoholic beverage service in outdoor spaces unless using a pre-approved licensed vendor. For more information, please call the Bunn Admin Office at (217) 544-1751.

City of Springfield Temporary Liquor License Information: CLICK HERE

Public restrooms in the parks are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. All Athletic, Corporate, and Festival/Performance Springfield Park District Special Event Permits must provide portable toilets for their participants with events over 50 people. The location of portable toilets is subject to Springfield Park District approval.  You must contract for portables through the Park District's preferred vendor.  Email to receive the current vendor contact information.

Parking or driving vehicles on grass or athletic fields are strictly prohibited. If staff and supply vehicles need to be driven to the site to unload equipment or supplies, the Springfield Park District may consider granting a Springfield Park District Vehicle Pass so that the vehicles may legally access service roads, subject to Springfield Park District approval.

Parking provisions are not included in the issuance of any Springfield Park District Special Event Permit. However, public parking is available at parking lots and designated street parking throughout the parks. For more information on parking lots, please contact the General Maintenance Department at (217) 753-6212 ext. 1403.

Corporate-level permits and Festival/Performance permits allow amplified sound. All requests for amplified sound must be approved by the Springfield Park District. Amplified sound must be directed away from residences and must comply with City of Springfield sound code and cannot extend past 10 pm. The proposed location of the sound system, direction of sound, and location of all speakers must be identified on your pre-event site map.

The Springfield Park District does not supply such additional equipment, outside what is identified to already be at your permitted location. Springfield Park District Special Event Permit applicants are responsible for securing all event-related supplies or equipment and are responsible for the predetermined time for removal of said event supplies and equipment as stated on your park issued event permit.

Grilling must be confined to enclosed metal containers and may only take place within dedicated grilling areas. Hot coals must be doused with water, and ashes and coals must be properly disposed of.  Cooking is allowed on supplied barbecue grills only.  OPEN FIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED!

Only Corporate and Special Event/Festival Springfield Park District permits allow tents and canopies. Pre-approval for the size of the tent and location determination must be arranged before a permit will be issued.  The Springfield Park District reserves the right to request an on-site meeting when large events and tents are necessary.  Specific instructions will be given by the park district and it will be the responsibility of the permittee to contact JULIE at 1-800-892-0123 to mark the area for underground power and service lines.  A pre-approved tent vendor will be required for tents larger than 10' x 10'.  Placement of all tents and canopies is subject to Springfield Park District approval.

The Springfield Park District can provide limited maintenance services for park picnic-permitted areas.  These services include providing extra garbage cans, garbage can liners, and the collection and removal of all refuse from the site.  Groups are responsible for placing all trash in the trash cans provided or properly removing it from the site.  The site will be inspected after each use.  Any excess debris or damage will be the responsibility of the permit holder.

For larger events, at the discretion of the Springfield Park District, an outside maintenance vendor and maintenance plan may be required. Outside maintenance vendors and plans must meet the approval of the Springfield Park District. All agreements for Springfield Park District Maintenance Services must be arranged at least 60 days prior to your event and payments must be submitted before the day of the event. For more information, please contact the Bunn Admin Office at (217) 544-1751 ext. 1004.

Outdoor park permit fees are non-refundable.  Events are rain or shine.  If you should have to cancel, or weather precludes you from moving forward with your event, please consider these funds as a donation to the Park District.

The bathroom doors will be unlocked at the scheduled start time and locked at your scheduled end time. There is no need to contact the Springfield Park District unless the doors fail to open/lock at the scheduled times.

No, only shelter electricity is provided, but water hydrants are typically available nearby.

Set-up and tear-down must be done within the hours of the reservation. When you are making your reservation, please be sure to allow for both set-up and tear-down.

No, the shelter will be ready before your scheduled start time.

Yes, the Park District provides trash liners. If you believe you will need extra, please ask when reserving. 

By registering with the Springfield Park District, the vendor is granted the permit (per ordinance) for their event. They must file a certificate of insurance naming the Springfield Park District as additionally insured for their event.

A registered vendor is not required if people bring and consume their own food (i.e., private picnic or family gathering). 

Insurance is required for events open to the public, and for both the protection of the individual or organization renting the shelter as well as for the protection of the Springfield Park District in the event of third-party claims for bodily injury, associated medical costs, and damage to the property. The insurance required by the Springfield Park District is for coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and it must name the Springfield Park District as additionally insured. 

General Liability Insurance includes Host Liquor coverage. This insurance is required when alcohol is being provided. 

Illinois Statutory Liquor Liability coverage must be added when alcoholic beverages are being sold, are included in the price of admission, or donations are requested.

No, all reservations are rain or shine.

Payment is due at the time of the rental.

Yes, you will need to rent both time slots for the day.

No, bounce houses are not allowed within Springfield Park District parks unless a permit and insurance are obtained before the rental.

Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.    

Refund requests will be issued either as a credit to the patron's account for future use or a refund will be issued. No refunds will be given once camp has started for the day or after camp has ended. 

Stuart Park - 1800 Winch Lane
One large dog run and one small dog run, completely fenced in where dogs may be unleashed. Each includes a water source, DOGIPOT, and picnic shelter.

Centennial Park - 5529 Bunker Hill Road
Centennial Dog Park is over an acre in size and was built to be fully ADA accessible. The dog park features separate play areas for large and small dogs, challenging obstacle course, dog water fountains, and is completely fenced in where dogs may be unleashed.

Riverside Park - 4700 Peoria Road
The lower section of Riverside Park contains approximately 200 acres and is primarily used as an unleashed dog-run area. This area includes a small pond and nearly one mile of riverfront land for you and your dog to enjoy.

Dog owners must stay with their dogs, and they must be leashed in open green spaces unless you are inside the designated dog-run fenced areas. Even while off the leash, you must have the leash with you and be in good voice command of your dog. Owners are responsible and liable for the actions and behaviors of their dogs at all times.

No, dogs must be leashed until they are inside the fenced areas. If you wish to unleash your dog, visit the dog parks at Stuart or Riverside Parks.

Please scoop your dog's poop & dispose of it in the designated receptacles. 

Aggressive dogs are not allowed. If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, please leave immediately. 

Failure to abide by the park rules may result in loss of privileges and the owner may be ticketed up to $500. Please make sure to follow all Park District policies.

To report an issue, please contact Park Police at 217-698-6030.