How to have a birthday party in the parks
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We’ve seen a lot of birthday parties in the parks this June…it looks like so much fun we want to have one there too. You can ‘t beat all that room, green grass and shady trees. I’ve seen everything from full bbq setups to entertainers and just the regular picnic blankets and a few balloons.
When I mentioned we were thinking of having our daughter’s birthday party in the park, our friend warned us that we might have to get a permit. I was flabbergasted. A permit for 15 kids and 10 parents or so?….It turns out she was right. You do need a permit when you’re going to have 20 or more people at the party. (For Prospect Park, it’s 25 people).
Here are some of the requirements and FAQ for having a party or event in a park.
For which activities are special events permits needed?
Special events permits are required for events/activities where twenty or more people will be present. School picnics, birthday parties, and field days all require a special events permit. If more than 25 people are expected to attend in Prospect Park, you will need a special events permit. Visit the Parks Department online to obtain the permit application form.
All special events permits require a $25.00 nonrefundable administrative processing fee, and permits require at least 30 days for processing. You may download the special events permit application (PDF, 70 KB) or apply online.
To learn about barbecuing in parks, visit Designated Barbecuing Areas page. Please note that barbecuing on beaches is not authorized, and propane tanks are not allowed.
For recommended wedding sites and helpful information, please visit our Weddings in Parks page.
How do I obtain a permit to use park facilities?
To request a special events permit, print out the special events permit application, fill it out, and submit it to your Borough Special Events Office. Include a $25 processing fee with your application.
If you don’t get a permit you can be asked to leave or be ticketed (we don’t know the amount). I have loads of friends who have have not applied for the permit and not been ticketed, but it’s probably not worth the stress.
Are there circumstances under which I should get a permit even though my group has fewer than 20 people?
Yes, at times people apply for permits with smaller groups because they want to make sure they will be able to use a specific area in a park and be certain no one else has been issued a permit to use that area, for instance, in the case of wedding photography. While a permit does not guarantee exclusive use of an area within the park, it does give the permit-holder the right to hold his or her event in a specific area and ensures that other groups are not issued a permit to use the same space. In addition, everyone applying for an amplified sound permit or to bring equipment such as canopies or tables into a park needs to apply for a special event permit. Finally, applying for a special events permit alerts our borough representatives of your plans; they can then make recommendations on the most desirable locations or dates for your gathering. Please contact the borough permit office if you have any questions about when you might need to apply for a permit with a smaller group.
Brooklyn
Litchfield Villa
Prospect Park
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 965-8912
NOTE: The Pier 1 section of Brooklyn Bridge Park is under the jurisdiction of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation. Please visit www.brooklynbridgeparknyc.org/ to apply for permits for this portion of the park.
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