Rentals

Rentals

Outdoor & Indoor Rentals, Permits and Events

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Park Permits

Why Would I Need A General Park Permit?

If you are looking to have a gathering of 20 – 99 people that is not open to the public in one of Burlington’s many parks, you will need a permit! General park permits do not grant the user exclusive use of a space and do not allow for amplified sound or vendors of any kind. If you are interested in having exclusive use of a space, amplified sound and/or vendors OR your gathering will exceed 99 people, please see below for more information about booking events that require Special Use Permits.

  • General Park Permit, Tier 1 (20 – 39 people): $25
  • General Park Permit, Tier 2 (40 – 59 people): $50
  • General Park Permit, Tier 3 (60 – 79 people): $75
  • General Park Permit, Tier 4 (80 – 99 people): $100
  • Photography/Videography Permit: $100/day, per location

If you would like to request a permit or have questions, please call (802) 865-7247.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are reserving one of our facilities or fields for a private gathering, you do not need a separate general park permit.

Why would I need a Special Use Permit?

  • If you are looking to have a gathering that is open to the public.
  • If the amount of people attending a private gathering exceeds 99 people.
  • If you need to reserve the exclusive use of a park area or facility for a specific time and date (i.e. for an event at Battery or City Hall Park).
  • If you are requesting to have amplified sound and/or vendors.
  • If the reservation is scheduled for an ongoing basis.
  • If the use of a park area or facility is for commercial or fund-raising purposes.
  • If the event charges a fee to participate or spectate.
  • If solicitation of any kind will occur at the event or performance.

All Special Use Permit requests require the approval of the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission at least one month before the requested date. They meet on the second Tuesday of every month (except July) and although it is not required for event organizers to attend the meeting, it is highly encouraged. To bring your request to the Commission, you must work with the Department. Please call (802) 865-7247 with any questions or to begin this process.

Special Use Permits are issued in accordance with Appendix D of the Code of Local Ordinances. You can read the full code here under “Appendix D”:

www.codepublishing.com/VT/Burlington

Programs in the Parks

If you are looking to hold outdoor classes and/or programs in a Burlington park, Please fill out this application and e-mail to modaniel@burlingtonvt.gov. If your request is approved, there is a $100 fee. You then have the option to hold classes of 19 or fewer with no additional cost or scheduling, or to hold classes of 20 or more, which will follow our “General Park Permit” fee guidelines based on size and need to be scheduled with the Department.

Please call (802)865-7247 with any questions!

Picnic Shelters & Tent Rentals

2024 Shelter reservations will open on January 25, 2024 at 9 a.m.

Nestled on the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain, Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront offers three rentable shelters: Oakledge Park (2), North Beach (1), and a rentable tent (1) at Leddy Park.

The shelters and tent are suitable to host small gatherings such as birthday parties, company picnics, and family/friend reunions and can be rented by the half day or full day. Shelters are available to rent for dates from mid-May to early September.

Check availability and make your shelter or tent rental request online here. Or you can give us a call at (802)864-0123 to reserve any of these spaces.

Rates

Shelters Half Day (9am – 2:30pm or 3:30pm – 9pm): $190
Shelters Full Day (9am – 9pm): $275

Tent Half Day, Week Days (3pm – 8pm): $150
Tent Half Day, Weekends (9am – 2pm or 3pm – 8pm): $150
Tent Full Day, Weekends (9am – 8pm): $250

Amenities

  • Picnic tables
  • Restrooms
  • Grill
  • Direct access to 9 miles of bike path
  • Waterfront views
  • Public beach access

Rules & Regulations

  • Minimum age to rent a shelter/tent is 18 years old.
  • A credit card must be used to secure a reservation (Visa, MC, AmEx, Discover).
  • Pets are welcome, subject to the following conditions: a) they must be on a leash b) they must not be left unattended c) owners must clean up after their pets in all areas and d) pets are NOT allowed on the beach.
  • Charcoal is not provided; Gas grills may be brought to the site(s).
  • Alcohol is allowed but no kegs or glass bottles.
  • Dispose of hot coals appropriately.

Shelter reservations are defined in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington, Rules and Regulations of the Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department.

Events at Battery Park

The Battery Park Band Shell is primarily reserved for the performing arts, concerts, speeches, demonstrations, civic ceremonies and exhibits and is available to rent from May to mid-October. To make an event request, please fill out the application: Battery Park Event Application and send it electronically to rbailey@burlingtonvt.gov . Applications will be accepted annually from October 15th – April 30th, and will be reviewed and processed in the order they are received. After your request has been reviewed by the department,  you will be notified about availability and whether or not your event can be accommodated.

Rates:

Half Day (9am – 3pm or 3pm – 9pm): $300

Full Day (9am – 9pm): $500

Amenities

  • Electricity
  • Restroom
  • Waterfront Views

Rules & Regulations

  • Must be 18 years or older to reserve the park.
  • Special Use Park Permit Approval is required to hold an event of any kind in Battery Park. Please see the Park Permits section of this page for more information.
  • Amplified sound in the park must not exceed 75 decibels and must take place between the hours of 9am and 9pm. There is a 3 hour maximum allowed per day. All requests must be approved by the Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Commission.
  • Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
  • A Certificate of Insurance is required for all events.
  • Portalet rentals are required for events or gatherings with 50 or more attendees.
  • No cars or vehicles are allowed in the park.

If you have questions regarding reserving Battery Park, please call (802) 865-7247.

 

Events at City Hall Park

After multiple years of construction, City Hall Park has been updated and is ready to be used again by the community! With a variety of upgraded amenities, this location is suited for small to medium sized events, both public and private.

Rates between 8am – 8pm:

Hourly, 1 – 3 hours: $90/hr

Half Day, 3 – 5 hours: $350

Full Day, 5 – 8 hours: $550

Overtime Rates:

Over 8 hours: $100/hr

Outside the 8am – 8pm time frame: $100/hr

Amenities

  • One outdoor bathroom, available to the public
  • Accessible splash pad, available to the public seasonally
  • Outdoor tables and chairs, available to the public seasonally
  • Electricity and internet (additional fees apply)
  • Stanchions/Bike Rack Barricades (additional fees apply)
  • Audio Packages (additional fees apply)
  • Video Projection Packages (additional fees apply)

Rules & Regulations

  • Must be 18 years or older to reserve the park.
  • Amplified sound in the park must not exceed 75 decibels and must take place between the hours of 9am and 9pm. There is a 3 hour maximum allowed per day. All requests must be approved by the Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Commission.
  • A Certificate of Insurance is required for all events.
  • Portalet rentals may be required for events.
  • Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

For questions or more information about renting City Hall Park, please e-mail aclawson@burlingtoncityarts.org .

 

Events at Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is a large regional park located to the west of downtown along the Lake Champlain Shoreline. This park is home to several large events throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall, with the Burlington Bike Path running along its eastern border.

For more information about the rates and process, and to apply to rent out Waterfront Park for a public or private event, please e-mail rbailey@burlingtonvt.gov.

 

Walk & Run Events

Walk/run event applications will be accepted annually from October 15th – April 30th, and will be reviewed and processed in the order they are received. Please e-mail your application (linked below) or questions to rbailey@burlingtonvt.gov.

Click here to download the application

Please note that the $50 application fee must be submitted before your application will be reviewed.

Burlington Greenway

The 8 mile Burlington Greenway (Bike Path) is situated along the shores of Lake Champlain and is part of the 14 mile Island Line Trail, which unites the Burlington to the Colchester Causeway, and the Allen Point Access Area.

The Greenway begins at the southern end at Queen City Parkway and extends to Colchester to the north at the Winooski River overpass.  It is intended for non-motorized travel only and besides being a resource for recreation, it is also utilized for transportation as hundreds of commuters’ access the path daily.  The Greenway also connects multiple parks, conservation areas and public beaches and is a popular tourist attraction from connection points downtown and by boat or ferry via Burlington harbor.

Rates

The Burlington Bike Path can only be used for special events approved by the Department. The fee for using the Greenway is $200 and a current certificate of insurance is required if approved.

Amenities

The Burlington Greenway traverses through Oakledge Park, Lakeside Park, Roundhouse Park, Perkins Pier, Waterfront Park, Waterfront Access North, Urban Reserve, North Beach, Arms Park, Leddy Park, and Starr Farm Park.  Numerous amenities are available within these park areas.

Seasonally, there are restroom facilities located at Oakledge, Waterfront Park, North Beach and Leddy Park.

Rules & Regulations

  • Must be 18 years or older to reserve the Greenway.
  • No cars or vehicles allowed on the Greenway.
  • Pets are required to be on leash. Two dog parks are located along the path within the Urban Reserve and Starr Farm Park.
  • No pets allowed on public beaches.
  • Please obey all traffic and road crossings.
  • No solicitation allowed without permit.

Greenway rules and regulations are defined in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington, Rules and Regulations of the Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department, http://www.burlingtonvt.gov/Attorney/Municipal-Code .

Email us with questions about reserving the Greenway.

 

Weddings in the Parks

Interested in getting married at one of our beautiful parks? Here is some general information to help you determine if the options available fit your needs:

  • Ceremonies of under 100 attendees with no infrastructure (i.e. chairs, tents, etc.) vendors or amplified sound fall under our General Park Permit pricing structure. Please see the Park Permits section above for more information.
  • An outdoor facility (i.e. a picnic shelter) must be rented in order to host a ceremony with infrastructure, vendors or amplified sound and/or a reception of any kind. Please see the Picnic Shelters section above for more information. This does not apply if you are renting out Waterfront Park for your wedding.
  • A photography/videography permit is not required for wedding/engagement photoshoots.

Below is a list of the most popular locations for wedding ceremonies:

  • Battery Park
  • Ethan Allen Park:
    • The Pinnacle (there is no vehicle access up to this location – all attendees must walk/bike there)
  • Oakledge Park:
    • Blanchard Beach
    • Oakledge Cove
    • Treehouse (permits are not given for this location, but can be used on a first come, first served basis and must remain open and accessible to the public at all times)
  • Waterfront Park
  • Louisa Howard Chapel

Officiants in the Parks Program

If you are an officiant planning to receive payment for performing wedding ceremonies in our parks, please fill out this application and e-mail it to modaniel@burlingtonvt.gov. Please note that there is a $200 annual fee for unlimited use and once you have submitted the application, you will be contacted for payment. If you would prefer to obtain a single-use permit for $25, please inquire via the e-mail above.

Please note that if there will be 20 or more people in attendance, that a regular permit (see above) will still need to be obtained by the couple. These permits do not grant exclusive use of any space!

For more information about this, please call (802) 865-7247!

 

Athletic Fields

Rentable athletic fields are located at the following parks:

  • Calahan Park: Multi-Purpose Athletic Field, Baseball/Softball Fields
  • Leddy Park: Multi-Purpose Athletic Field, Adult Softball & Youth Softball Fields
  • Starr Farm Park: Multi-Purpose Athletic Fields
  • Roosevelt and Shiffilliti Park: Youth Baseball/Softball Fields

Rates

Hourly Rate each field is $60.00/hr.  Field lining has to be requested and will generate an additional fee for the time and material if approved.

Reservations

Please call (802) 865-7247 for requests or questions. Field reservations are prioritized for school and park associated activities in Burlington.

Amenities

  • Trash/Recycling Containers
  • Restrooms

Rules & Regulations

  • Minimum age to rent an athletic field is 18 years old.
  • A credit card # deposit may be required.
  • Use of athletic fields during wet weather is not permitted.
  • Painting lines, marking goals, driving spikes, etc. is not permitted.
  • Amplified sound is not permitted without approval.
  • Athletic fields should be used for recreational purposes only.
  • Any match or game with more than 20 participants that is organized in nature requires an official field rental.

Athletic field reservations are defined in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington, Rules and Regulations of the Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department, http://www.burlingtonvt.gov/Attorney/Municipal-Code.

Miller Community & Recreation Center

The Miller Center, conveniently located next door to Hunt Middle School and CP Smith Elementary School in Burlington’s new north end provides space for a variety of activities including:

  • Gymnasium – 7,000 square foot regulation high school size basketball court with synthetic flooring, mobile bleachers with seating for 70, electronic scoreboard, retractable basketball hoops, gym divider and locker rooms with restrooms, showers and lockers, $65/hour
  • Community Room – 1,800 square foot versatile space, overhead projector and screen, surround sound, tables and chairs, seating for up to 120. Includes small kitchen for prep and cooking space for caterers.  $65/hour
  • Kids Room – Perfect for birthday parties and playgroups as well as small meetings, this room has sink and counter space, toys, cubbies and kid sized tables and chairs. Our Fletcher Free Library “Micro Library” is also housed in the Kids Room – feel free to borrow a book when you visit!  Seating for up to 25, $40/hour
  • Fitness Studio – Located off of the gym, the 1,100 square foot fitness room has wood floor, wall mirrors, music system and great natural light, capacity varies by activity, $50/hour
  • Art Room – Also located adjacent to the gym, this classroom space offers counters, sink, tables and chairs for up to 30, $40/hour
  • Conference Room – Located off the lobby with quiet, comfortable space is offered FREE to the public for meetings, etc, seating for up to 12, FREE

Reservations are subject to a two week cancellation policy.  Reservations cancelled with less than 14 days notice will be billed at full price unless re-rented to another user. Payments of the rental fees are due in full at time of scheduling the reservation, unless otherwise agreed upon by Miller staff.

Email us to reserve space at the Miller Recreation Center.

Leddy Ice Arena

Skate Rental $5/pair
Public Skating $5 Adults / $4 Students
Stick & Puck $7
NHL Standard Ice Rental $225/hour
Studio Ice Rental $115/hour
Upstairs Lounge Rental $40/hour
Birthday Party (1 hour lounge/ 1 hour skating) $155

 

All scheduled ice is subject to a thirty (30) day cancellation policy.  Ice that is cancelled with less than thirty days’ notice will be billed at full price unless re-rented to another user. Payments of the rental fees are due in full at time of scheduling the reservation, unless otherwise agreed upon by arena personnel.

Email us to reserve space at Leddy Ice Arena.

 

The CORE (Center of Recreation & Education)
at the ONE Community Center

Located at 20 Allen Street in the Old North End, BPRW is managing the second floor of the ONE Community Center. We have several classrooms, community rooms and the gym available to rent. Please call 802-865-7088 for more information.

CORE Classrooms $ 30/hour
CORE Community Room $ 40/hour
CORE Gymnasium $ 55/hour

 

Schmanska Barn

Located in Burlington’s East End is a rentable barn space in Schmanska Park! This location is ideal for small private parties, community meetings or business gatherings. The Schmanska Barn is available to rent year round, with a capacity of 50 people in the Spring, Summer and early Fall and 30 people in the Winter. This location requires all renters to leave the space like they found it, with cleaning supplies on hand to do so. A Barn Host will meet each renter at the beginning of the rental to unlock The Barn and then again at the end of the rental to lock it. The Barn will be checked for cleanliness and damage after each rental.

Rates

Non-Profit Rental: $60/hr

Private Rental: $75/hr

Amenities

  • Bathroom
  • Electricity
  • 10 Tables (of varying sizes)
  • 30 Folding Chairs
  • Heated Space in Winter
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Use of the grassy area directly in front of the Barn

Rules & Regulations

  • Must be 18 years or older to rent the barn.
  • Must following the opening & closing/cleaning procedures.
  • Must pay for the reservation at the time of booking.
  • Renter is responsible for any damage incurred during their reservation.
  • Alcohol must be served by a licensed caterer.

Click here to make a reservation request for the barn.

For questions, e-mail modaniel@burlingtonvt.gov