Reservations

Shelter & Picnic Areas

The Rockford Park District offers the perfect location to hold your special occasion. Our shelters are a great place to hold family barbecues, birthday parties, baby showers, and much more. We can accommodate groups of any size, ranging from 30-200+ people.

While you may picnic at any of our parks for FREE, we strongly recommend you make a reservation in order to guarantee that a specific location is prepped and ready for you from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on your selected day. The operational season for our shelters runs from April 15 to October 15.

Shelters can be reserved online, by phone, or in person and are first-come, first-served. Only one booking is allowed per day per event, unless authorized for special events. A full refund is available up to seven (7) days before the reserved date.

Reservation Details

  • Reservations can be made up to 365 days in advance during shelter season.

  • Reservations are not accepted from October 15 through February 1 due to annual updates and maintenance.

  • We do not guarantee water at our shelters before April 15 or after October 15, due to the chance for freezing.

  • Reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance.

  • Reservations online at the links below, or by calling Rockford Park District Customer Service at 815-987-8800.

Per Rockford Park District ordinances, some types of events or gatherings may require a special use permit.

General Rules & Regulations

✅ Dogs are allowed at our parks but must be always leashed and cleaned up after.

✅ Print shelter reservation receipt and bring with you.

✅ Restrooms & playgrounds are open to the public.

❌ Knives, firearms, or other weapons of any kind, or any fireworks or other explosive substance of any kind are not permitted.

  • Pursuant to 430 ILCS 66/65 and RPD Ordinance 9.10

❌ Smoking is not permitted in in parks and facilities.

  • RPD Clean Air Ordinance 9.18

❌ No parking in posted areas.

❌ Carry-in alcoholic beverages are prohibited in parks and facilities.

  • RPD Ordinance 10.4

To report an emergency, call 911; to report vandalism or a non-emergency related matter, please call (815) 966-2900.

Bounce Houses

The Rockford Park District has approved vendors for those who want to bring a bounce house as part of their reservation. It is the customer’s responsibility to contact these vendors to reserve their bounce house and pay any rental fees.

The bounce house/inflatable vendor has to provide a certificate of insurance listing the Rockford Park District as additionally insured at least two weeks prior to the event date. If the vendor is providing employees they must provide proof of statutory workers compensation coverage.

  • Brent’s Bouncin' Inflatables: 815-624-0046

  • Stateline Bounce House Rentals: 815-980-6138

Bounce houses do not require a special use permit, but an additional fee will apply to your reservation with the Rockford Park District. Water bounce houses are not permitted.

Special Use Permits

  • Upgrade your shelter rent to include a special use permit for the following: Any person wishing to use Rockford Park District property for purposes other than a picnic

  • Requests which exceed shelter capacity

  • Any rental or event wishing to serve alcohol

  • Amplification or use of speakers for speaking or music

  • DJ Services

  • Live entertainment

  • Equipment items requested to come onto property

  • Organized activities or events open to the public

  • Weddings

  • Reservations made during the off-season (October 16 - April 14)