Picnic Shelters

Level One: $350.00 + tax

• Bear Creek Park* (200 people)
• Essex Park* (200 people)
• West Silver Lake Park (100 people)

These shelters have electrical service, full-service restrooms, ample adjacent parking, playgrounds, other park facilities, and a covered picnic area with picnic tables to accommodate the number of people listed above (8 per table).

Level Two: $250.00 + tax

• Cook Park
• East Silver Lake Park
• Quarry Hill Park - (hiking trail map)
• Slatterly Park
• Soldiers Field Park East Shelter*
• Soldiers Field Park West Shelter (50 people)
• Three Links - Silver Lake Park (100 people and 4-hour increments, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

These shelters have limited electrical service, full-service restrooms, adjacent parking, playgrounds, other park facilities, and a covered picnic area with picnic tables to accommodate up to 125 persons (15 tables).

Level Three: $150.00 + tax

• Cascade Lake Park
• Central Park*
• Eastwood Park
• Foster-Arend Park*
• Kutzky Park
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
• Watson Sport Complex 

These shelters have limited electrical service, adjacent restrooms or portable toilets, limited parking, playgrounds, other park facilities and picnic tables to accommodate up to 50 persons (8 tables).  These shelters do not have water, except for Central & Watson, which have a drinking fountain at the adjacent restroom building.

1. Reservations must be made through the Parks and Recreation Department to assure availability of the shelter of your choice. Shelters are available for reservations from May 1st through September 30th. Reservations are taken after January 15th for that year only.
2. Shelter reservations guarantee the renter has the sheltered/roofed area available for use for their event. The water, bathrooms, play equipment and all green space in the park are open to the public and exclusive use is not included in the shelter reservation, nor is use of these areas excluded from the public unless an EXCLUSIVE PARK USE PERMIT has been authorized. Restrooms are stocked with toilet paper. Soap and paper towels are not provided. Please bring your own.   
3. All athletic facilities in parks (volleyball courts, softball/baseball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe courts) are available on a first-come, first-served basis, except for City-organized league and tournament play. EXCEPTION: Volleyball courts and softball/baseball fields may be used by city and youth organizations for organized league and tournament games. These games have priority. Volleyball courts and softball/baseball fields may be reserved for a fee.
4. The individual whose name appears on the reservation request is responsible for any and all damage to facilities for that event and is also responsible for the group’s conduct while using the facilities.
5. Most of the City’s parks are located in residential areas. Please keep noise to a minimum. City of Rochester Ordinance #117.03 restricts the use of sound amplification within the city limits. Sound amplification permits are issued by the City Clerk. Park Board policy limits amplified sound in most city parks to 2 hours or less. Sound amplification for events lasting more than 2 hours is permitted in some of the larger parks. Please contact the Department for a listing of these parks.
6. Overnight camping is not allowed in city parks. Open recreation fires are allowed only by special permit. Parks do not have grills. Bring your own.
7. Parking and delivery are restricted to designated parking lots only. THERE IS TO BE NO DRIVING OF VEHICLES ON SIDEWALKS, BIKEWAYS, OR IN PARK AREAS. Vehicles illegally parked will be towed away at the owner’s expense.
8. Smoking of any form (i.e. tobacco, e‐cigarette, pipes, etc.) is not allowed in the Park System per Parks Policy. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: City Ordinance #45b.17 states: “It is unlawful for any person to bring upon, or to possess or consume in, a park the
   contents of a container of an alcoholic beverage that contains or has a capacity of two or more gallons.”  NO KEGS! No alcohol allowed at Bear Creek, Central, Foster‐Arend, Kutzky, Mayo or Slatterly Parks without a special use permit.
9. A Park Concessionaire Permit is required for the sale of merchandise, food, or beverages in city parks unless the sale of merchandise is specifically for the event for which the area has been rented.
10. REFUND POLICY:  Refunds will be given for cancellations received at least ten (10) days before the reservation date. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN FOR WEATHER CONDITIONS! A written request must be made to receive a refund. A $30.00 handling fee will be charged for processing the refund.
11. Shelter renter shall save and hold harmless the City of Rochester, its officers, agents, employees, and members, from all claims, suits, or actions of whatsoever nature resulting from or arising out of the renting of park shelters.
12. The West Silver Lake and Watson Pavilions are kept locked at all times. Pick up a key at the Park and Recreation Department before 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A $50.00 deposit is required when picking up the key.
13. The gate leading to the shelter at Quarry Hill Park is kept locked at all times. Pick up a key at the Park and Recreation Department before 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A $50.00 deposit is required when picking up the key.
14. The Three Links Shelter next to the Silver Lake Adventure Playground can be reserved from either 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for up to 100 people.
15. It is suggested that the renter place their reservation card at the shelter several hours before the event begins so as to alert other park users of their arrival.
16. Persons leasing the park shelters are required to remove all decorations and signs used to decorate the shelters. This request includes the removal of directional signs leading users to the shelter.
17. Shelters and other venues have specific capacities. Reservations/requests may be denied for specific locations depending on the anticipated attendance.
18. Events with more than 250 persons shall be required to provide additional restrooms and trash facilities.
19. Polystyrene is not allowed in our Parks or any other City Facilities.