GATHERING SPACES guidelines

PICNIC PAVILION GUIDELINES

    • Picnic pavilions can be booked one year in advance.

    • Payment in full is due at the time of making the reservation. If the event is canceled 14 days or more prior to the scheduled date, an 80% refund is available. No modifications or refunds will be made to the reservation within 14 days of the event. This includes weather.

    • Access to the space is only allowed during the specified reservation times and includes the time needed to set-up and clean-up after the event. Variations from these times may not be accommodated by Park Service-Maintenance the day of the event.

    • The departure time is the agreed upon time that your group will have everything out of the pavilion. This includes, but not limited to, guests, equipment, decorations, and caterers. If necessary, department staff and/or law enforcement will escort groups off the premises if they are in the pavilion after the scheduled departure time.

    • The renter is responsible for the actions of guests or other parties who may be providing services for the event, as well as any damages or disruption to the current or future use of the facilities, grounds, or property used as part of the reservation, including failure to cleanup after the event. Any damages will be documented, and renter will be responsible for all associated costs. Renters must place garbage and recyclable materials in the appropriate containers. Please inspect the grounds for litter remaining from your event. Additional charges of $40/hr per staff member plus supplies and equipment will apply if the pavilion and adjacent grounds are not left in satisfactory condition.

    • Releasing of materials (i.e., balloons, lanterns, etc.) will not be permitted as they are not recoverable and cannot be disposed of properly.

    • Tobacco/E-cigarette/Cannabis use is not permitted. This includes outdoor gathering spaces, restrooms and building entry areas.

    • Background music and public address announcements are permitted; however, all music and amplified sound must be confined to the immediate area of the reserved pavilion to ensure that other park users and activities are not disrupted.

    • Department and County staff reserve the right to access all reserved facilities at any time during your event.

    • Groups that exceed the maximum capacity for the designated pavilion will be asked to reduce the number of attendees to comply with capacities. The Parks Department reserves the right to cancel or end events that have exceeded capacity without permission. Refunds will not be provided for any applicable fees.

    • Any additional charges resulting in damages or violation of the above stated regulations will be billed to the credit card used to secure the reservation.

    • Under no circumstances may tables be moved that are secured to a concrete pad. All picnic tables that are not secured to concrete pads must be positioned in the same place as they were when you arrived for your reservation. At no time can the picnic tables be removed from the concrete pads.

    • Do not attempt to drive any spikes (metal or otherwise) into the ground as underground utility lines may be present. Canopy tents and other structures are approved by special use request only and for a fee of $25 (+tax). Only free-standing canopies are allowed.

    • If you are planning an event with games and activities, please inform the reservation staff. Certain games, amusement devices/equipment, sound amplification, and other activities may require review and special permitting by the Parks Department. Additional fees may apply.

    • No decorations or activities used as part of your reservation may be present upon departing the facility. If you are planning to decorate the pavilion for your event, no nails, staples, spray adhesives or other items that may damage/disrupt the facility may be used. Examples include but are not limited to: Glitter, confetti, silly string, water balloons, powders/chalks/temporary paints, signs, and bird seed.

  • Any items or activities that may be outside of the standard use for the reserved facility will require approval via Special Use Request. Please note that gambling activities are not permitted. Only items approved by the Parks office will be permitted. Examples include, but are not limited to, additional grills, portable shade structures, inflatables, rental equipment, runs, or fundraising events. Items may require additional documentation, fees or proof of insurance.

    A certificate of liability insurance may be required due to the nature of the request. Insurance requirements include, but are not limited to, comprehensive general liability in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 general aggregate, $1,000,000 food product liability per occurrence (if applicable) and fire/property damage in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence. The required insurance certificate must name the County of Anoka, 2100-3rd Ave, Anoka, MN 55303, its officials, agents, employees, and volunteers as additional insured’s. A copy of the Certificate of Insurance that verifies such insurance is in full force throughout the term of the request and must be submitted to the Anoka County Parks Department office 14 calendar days prior to the scheduled event. Failure to submit the Certificate of Insurance 14 calendar days prior to the event will result in cancellation of the special use request.

  • Beer, wine, ciders, seltzers, hard lemonades, and other malt based, single-serving beverages are permitted in glass bottles or cans only. No hard liquor. The renter is responsible for the actions of guests. The presence of hard liquor will result in an immediate ending of the event and refunds will not be provided.

  • Regional parks require a $7 daily or $30 annual vehicle entry permit to be displayed on each vehicle entering the park.

    Guests can purchase vehicle entry permits at the pay stations or when facilities are staffed with an attendant.

  • For Park Maintenance and/or on-site Park Services assistance:
    During regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm) - 763-324-3300
    After regular business hours - 763-324-3360

INDOOR FACILITY GUIDELINES

    • The full day reservation (8:00am-10:00pm) can be booked 14 months in advance. The full day reservation is available on Friday and Saturday at the Activities Center. No timeframe adjustments are allowed after booking the full day reservation.

    • Hourly reservations can be booked one year in advance.

    • The full reservation payment is due upon booking.

    • If the event is cancelled 14 days or more prior to the scheduled date, an 80% refund is available. No changes or refunds will be made to the reservation within 14 days of the event.

    • Access to the space is only allowed during the specified reservation times and includes the time needed to set up and clean up after the event. Variations from these times will not be accommodated the day of the event.

    • The departure time is the agreed upon time that your group will have everything out of the facility. This includes, but not limited to, guests, equipment, decorations, caterers, and DJ. If the group does not exit the facility at the scheduled departure time, they will be charged up to 50% of the original reservation amount. Storage charges will be assessed depending on the amount and type of any items remaining on the premises after the event end time. If necessary, Park Services and/or law enforcement will escort groups off the premises.

    • The renter is responsible for the actions of guests and any damage to the facility, grounds, or property caused by the reservation including failure to clean up after the event. Any damage will be documented, and renter will be responsible for all associated costs.

    • The facility must be left clean and decorations removed. All tables, chairs, and floors (non-vacuumable debris) should be cleared and any waste from the event placed in the appropriate garbage or recycling container. Renter will be charged for cleaning deemed outside of normal use by the Parks Department at a rate of $40/hour per staff member.

    • County staff or authorized designees are permitted to access reserved spaces at any time.

    • Tobacco/E-cigarette/Cannabis use is not permitted. This includes outdoor gathering spaces and building entry areas.

    • Groups are responsible for bringing all supplies necessary for their event including computers, cords, coffee makers, table coverings, etc.

    • All food must be catered or prepared off-site. The kitchen is not commercially licensed and can only be used for staging and/or reheating. The Cedar Room must be rented at the Activities Center if your event requires water access or appliances to store food.

    • Groups that exceed the maximum capacity for the designated space will be asked to reduce the number of attendees to comply with capacities. The Parks Department reserves the right to cancel or end events that have exceeded capacity. Refunds will not be provided for any applicable fees.

    • Minors and guests must be supervised at all times and remain in the reserved space.

    • Any additional charges resulting in damages or violation of the above stated regulations will be billed to the credit card used to secure the reservation.

    • Event set up must be coordinated in advance for each reserved space.

    • Reserved space(s) will be set up as agreed upon prior to the start time of the event.

    • Decorations are only permitted in reserved areas.

    • All decorations must be set up and removed during the reservation time.

    • Only LED candles or votives are permitted. Please contact staff for approval of any open flame as part of a religious ceremony. Examples must be provided.

    • Party favors such as glitter, confetti, popcorn, or bird seed are not permitted.

    • Only approved adhesive tapes (i.e.: painter’s tape) are permitted. Groups will be responsible for any associated damages. No thumbtacks, nails, staples, or other fasteners that puncture surfaces can be used.

    • No decorations or materials can be hung or adhered to the ceiling.

    • Event set up and decoration details must be confirmed at least 14 days prior to the event.

  • Only beer, wine, ciders, seltzers, hard lemonades, and other malt based, single-serving beverages are permitted on park property. No hard alcohol, liquor, or cannabis is allowed. Reservations will be ended if hard alcohol is brought by any guest, caterer, or bartending service associated with the event. The reservation holder is responsible to monitor these beverages while it is on the premises and prevent service to minors and excessive consumption. Anoka County has the right to limit the amount of these beverages that are on site.

  • General Liability Insurance
    Persons requesting special use within selected Anoka County properties will be required to provide a minimum of $100,000.00 General Liability and, if necessary, umbrella insurance with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 each occurrence, combined single limit insurance of Bodily Injury and Property Damage which includes the County of Anoka 2100 3rd Ave, Anoka, MN 55303 as additional insured. This coverage shall be primary to the Additional Insured.

    Certificate of Insurance with Additional Insured Endorsement
    County of Anoka 2100 3rd Ave, Anoka, MN 55303 should be listed as the Additional Insured. A copy of the Additional Insured endorsement is needed if the following statement is on the Certificate that reads: “if the certificate holder is an ADDITIONAL INSURED, the policy(s) must be endorsed. A statement on this certificate does not confer rights to the certificate holder in lieu of such endorsement(s).”

    Alcoholic Beverages (Indoor Facility)
    Insurance including liquor and host liability coverage.

    A copy of the Certificate of Insurance that verifies the required insurance is in full force throughout the term of the event/permit and must be submitted to the Anoka County Parks Department administrative office two weeks (14 days) prior to the scheduled event.

    You must procure and maintain in full force and effect during the term of the permitted event, insurance coverage for injuries to persons or damages to property which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the Permit Event by you, your agents, representatives, employees, volunteers or subcontractors. The insurance coverage shall satisfy the requirements set forth by Anoka County, which is incorporated herein.

    You agree that you will hold harmless, indemnify, and defend Anoka County, its commissioners, officers, agents and employees against any and all claims, expenses (including attorney’s fees), losses, damages or lawsuits for damages arising from or related to providing or failing to provide the Permit Event for which this special permit is issued, including but not limited to the negligence of you.

    Certificate of Insurance may be emailed to anokacountyparks@anokacountymn.gov or mailed to Anoka County Parks Department at 550 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW, Andover, MN 55304.