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How do I reserve a location in Fairmount Park or a Recreation Center?

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This article is not for obtaining a permit for an advertised Special Event in the city. That is done through the MDO's Office with How do I obtain a permit to hold a Special Event or Festival in the city?
There are two Special Events Offices. This is the Parks and Recreation Special Events Office. Make sure you have the correct one.
How do I reserve a location in Fairmount Park or at a Recreation Center?
Reservations for picnic sites and pavilions can be made online, by mail, or in person.
Make your reservation at least 10 business days in advance. Payment must be provided in the form of Check or Money Order only.
 
To apply for a permit via the web app, follow the instructions:
  1. Create an account.
  2. Pay the permit fee online.
Be sure to:
  • Choose ‘Picnics & Private Events” and then “Picnics” as your event type.
  • Answer all questions about the event you’re planning.
  • Select a date, location, and time.
  • Accept the terms and conditions.
To apply by mail or in person, read and fill out the picnic permit application form. Once the application is complete, you can mail it or make an appointment by calling (215) 685-0060 first, then bring it in person to the new location, PPR Special Events Office, Winter Street Building, 233 N. 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 pm.

You Should Know:
No refunds for rained-out picnics. Permit holders will be held responsible for vandalism or damage. All permits are final as issued.
A standard picnic permit is issued to individuals, families, nonprofit groups, or corporations who will not charge a fee or admission, or publicly advertise their event.
You must apply for an event or festival permit if you will charge a fee or admission or advertise the event to the public.

Reservation fees (all but Belmont Grove): Pavilion: $140, Picnic site: $35
Picnic sites serve 20-30 people. All pavilions but those at Belmont Grove can hold up to 100.
Pavilions at Belmont Grove can hold 250 people. Because they hold more people, the fees are higher.

Belmont Grove pavilion fees:
  • Family/community: weekday $350, weekends $450, holiday weekend $550
  • Nonprofit/corporate: weekday $650, weekends $850, holiday weekend $1,050

All permitted events are subject to the Department of Public Health’s guidance in effect on the date of the event, including crowd size limits. Depending on the size and type of event, organizers will now be required to either certify they will follow all local COVID-19 public health guidance or (for larger events) submit a COVID-19 safety plan for approval.

Approvals will be determined based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: compliance with COVID-19 public health guidance, availability of the requested space on the proposed date, the number of other special events scheduled for the proposed date, and the type and amount of City services required.

Further Information:
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) has dozens of parks for picnicking. If you want to use a pavilion or designated picnic site in a park, you need a reservation. A designated picnic site has at least three benches, a trashcan, and signage. Other designated picnic sites may have more. Note the Site Number (Lunch Area #1, Picnic Area #4, etc.,) of the area you want to reserve. You will have to enter in on the application. For questions, contact the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Special Events Office 
(215) 685-0060, Winter Street Building, 233 N. 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 pm.


Visitors may want to reserve multiple sites/pavilions, depending on the number of people they expect to have at their gathering. Amenities like bathrooms, playground equipment, fields, and courts vary. Check the park where you want to hold your picnic to make sure it has what you need.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is accepting event permit applications. City departments will work to review and approve applications on a rolling basis as expeditiously as possible. 

Find a park for your picnic using the Parks & Rec finder.
TitleHow do I reserve a location in Fairmount Park or a Recreation Center?
URL NameHow-do-I-reserve-a-location-in-Fairmount-Park-or-a-Recreation-Center

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