Business Use of a Park, Picnic Shelter or Facility

Parks and recreation facilities provide people with places to connect to the natural environment and to recreate. With that understood, at times there are opportunities for businesses to use District properties that enhance the user experience or fulfill a community need.

Business operations include, but are not limited to: sale, rental or promotion of merchandise or service; the provision of a paid service or program. Such examples could be:

  • Sales meeting
  • Fitness class
  • Personal sports coach
  • Arts and crafts class
  • Commercial film shoot
  • Business reception
  • Product demonstrations

Get Started: Business Park Rental Instructions

In order for a business to operate in or on District property, a business must request permission from the District and be properly permitted for the activity.

Please follow the steps below to get started.

1. Review the criteria under which a business may operate on District property. A business may operate on District property under the following scenarios:

a. The business is contracted with the District to provide a special service such as public safety or information.

b. The business operation is approved through a lease agreement.

c. The business provides proof of sufficient liability coverage through the submittal of a certificate of insurance which meets our Commercial and Multi-Day Insurance Requirements.

d. The business has reserved a District facility or park to provide a one-time service or activity to invited guests.

e. The business wishes to operate a scheduled or programmed activity to invited guests (recreation program, camp, fitness, instructional class).

2. Review the criteria that the District will use to make a decision on approval. Requests for reserved or permitted park use, whether commercial, not-for-profit or private will be based on the following criteria:

a. The proposed activity does not conflict with other public park uses, impede care and maintenance of the park, detract from general park visitor use or enjoyment or directly compete with a District operated or contracted program.

b. The activity is being provided to invited guests only.

c. District rules, regulations and processes have been abided to in the past.

d. There are no outstanding fees or charges.

3. Complete and submit the Business Use Request Form. Requests can be submitted up to 6 months in advance of the first date of the business use.  Please allow at least two business days for your request to be reviewed. Not all requests are permitted.

Questions?  Call Rentals & Reservations at (541) 706-6149 or email FacilityRentals@bendparksandrec.org.

Business-Use Fees:

The following permit fees are for business operating in parks. All permit fees require insurance.

Type of Business Groups of 5 - 10 Groups of 11 - 30
Single Day
501(c)(3) $15.00 $25.00
Commercial $25.00 $40.00
Monthly
501(c)(3) $75.00 $150.00
Commercial $150.00 $300.00
3-Month
501(c)(3) $175.00 $350.00
Commercial $350.00 $700.00

Business use with more than 30 attendees, requires a picnic shelter reservation. Please see our picnic shelter rental webpage for more information.

Refunds for cancellations are issued as followed:

A refund of 90% of rental fee will be given if notified 15 days or more in advance. If notified 14 days or less before the reservation date, the district will keep 50% of the reservation fee and the remainder will be refunded. There will be no refund given for cancellations within 24 hours of the rental. Exceptions may be made in cases of inclement weather or emergencies. Rain is not considered inclement weather.

Parks

Parks – Grass Areas

Some parks are available for business use that falls under the following parameters:

  • No more than 1.5 hours per session
  • No more than two sessions per day
  • No more than three days per week

Parks – Picnic Areas and Shelters

Park picnic areas and shelters may be reserved for family, non-profit or business use. Business activities may occur in a picnic shelter so long as the business is conducted to invited guests and not the general public. Insurance is required for all business and commercial activities.

A shelter or designated picnic area may not be reserved for consecutive and/or recurring use (such as every Monday/Wednesday/Friday) in order to allow sufficient opportunity for general public use.

To reserve a picnic shelter or picnic area for business use, check out our rentals page for more info.

Parks – Off-Leash Dog Areas

Off-leash dog areas are not suitable for business use permits. Any dog training business use must be conducted with dogs on-leash at all times.

Trails

Trails may not be reserved for private use. Running/walking events require a reservation and adherence to public event reservation procedures. 

Fields

Athletic fields are reserved through our sports field rental process. For more info, please visit our athletic field rentals page.

Courts

Tennis and Pickleball Courts

Tennis and pickleball courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are not available for private, reserved use. Courts are not available for individual reservation. Courts may be reserved for District-approved activities and events.

Horseshoe Courts

Horseshoe courts at Juniper Park are not available for individual reservation. Courts may be reserved for District-approved activities and events.

 

Questions about sports fields and courts? Contact:

Rentals & Events
Email

Deposits

Refundable deposits may be due depending on the type and group size of the rental. Deposit amounts vary by reservation. Providing there is no damage to the park and no additional clean up is required, the deposit will be returned in full within 10 business days.

Insurance

To protect public assets, BPRD requires all commercial park users to provide general liability insurance naming Bend Park and Recreation District as additionally insured. Private park users need to provide insurance when an activity involves the consumption of alcohol, has more than 60 people in attendance, and/or is deemed necessary by the District.  Insurance is due no less than 30 days prior to the reservation date(s).

Please see the Commercial and Multi-Day Insurance Requirements for more information.

Metal Detector Use Application

In order to operate a metal detector on District property, one must have a metal detector permit in their possession. The permit provides the holder with information on park rules and regulations and how to properly use a metal detector on District property.

Metal detector permits are available free of charge through the online form below, or through Park Services, 1675 SW Simpson, p. (541) 388-5435, hours 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday.

  • Virtual Application

    Filling the form below will process your request. You will receive an email copy of your permit. Please keep and carry your permit while detecting.


    Conditions for Use of Metal Detectors

    Please read terms and conditions below, fill out permit and hit "process request" button to submit your application


    • Applicant must carry this permit while detecting and show it to authorities when it is asked for.
    • The use of metal detectors is prohibited in any park district property without the written permission.
    • This permit is for one year from the issue date and must be renewed annually.
    • The use of metal detectors is permitted only in areas designated by the park district. Metal detecting is not allowed in parks under construction.
    • The probing and digging of items is limited to the use of an ice pick, screwdriver or small knife. The use of larger digging tools is prohibited.
    • All turf, dirt, etc. must be left in the original condition prior to digging.
    • All Federal and State antiquity laws must be obeyed. Arrowheads must be returned where they were found.
    • There is no metal detecting allowed in any athletic field or Hollinshead, Shevlin, Tillicum, Sawyer, Riley Ranch Nature Reserve, First Street Rapids East side (formerly Davis) parks.
    • Reference BMPRD Rules & Regulations: Article I, Section 2, 10.

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Commercial Photography/Videography/Film Permit – $50 per day/per location, plus any necessary reservation and rental fees.

  1. A single professional photographer with a portable camera does not require a permit or District notification.
  2. Professional media production or activity requires a scope of activity and possible evidence of prescribed liability insurance based on risk. Should production require exclusive use of parkland, staff time or other District resources, a permit, park reservation and associated fees apply.
  3. For film permits, please complete and submit a Business Use Request Form.
  4. Certificate of Insurance (COI) must meet the Commercial and Multi-Day Reservation Insurance Requirements.
  5. Requests are to be made a minimum of seven business days in advance of the requested date(s). For more complicated requests with any of the following – multiple dates and locations, exclusive use, activities outside of park rules, large groups (20+) a variety of equipment/vehicles on site – 30 days in advance is strongly advised.
  6. Questions about using a park or facility for a commercial shoot? Contact:
Rentals & Events
Email

A business use permit is required for business conducted at McKay Park, adjacent to the Bend Whitewater Park.  The permit is for instruction/training, any paid service or program, and the sale, rental and/or promotions of merchandise, which is conducted on dry land for anything more than a quick in/out of the Deschutes River.

Classes operating in the Deschutes River must abide by all Oregon State Marine Board rules and regulations.

Business use permits are not offered for Miller’s Landing Park.

Permit Use

Permit holders and class participants do not have exclusive use of the park. Permitted activities may not adversely impact general public use of the parkland or the Bend Whitewater Park. Areas of use in the whitewater park include the Whitewater Channel and the Passageway Channel. The island adjacent to the Whitewater Channel cannot be reserved.

For a quality experience for participants, please conduct in-water activities in non-peak times and days. The Bend Whitewater Park is a public park and is heavily used in afternoons and weekends during the summer.

To avoid conflicts with other users, the District recommends classes/lessons be conducted in down times (5 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) or during the off season (October-April).

Business Use in Water Only

Conducting business in the water only at the Bend Whitewater Park — without any use of river bank or the island — does not require a permit or insurance coverage by the Bend Park and Recreation District; however, it does require an Oregon State Marine Board Outfitter Guide Registration Card. The Marine Board has authority for the water way and is a great resource for questions or assistance applying for outfitter guide registration.

Parks & Trails

Parks

Parks – Grass Areas

Some parks are available for business use that falls under the following parameters:

  • No more than 1.5 hours per session
  • No more than two sessions per day
  • No more than three days per week

Parks – Picnic Areas and Shelters

Park picnic areas and shelters may be reserved for family, non-profit or business use. Business activities may occur in a picnic shelter so long as the business is conducted to invited guests and not the general public. Insurance is required for all business and commercial activities.

A shelter or designated picnic area may not be reserved for consecutive and/or recurring use (such as every Monday/Wednesday/Friday) in order to allow sufficient opportunity for general public use.

To reserve a picnic shelter or picnic area for business use, check out our rentals page for more info.

Parks – Off-Leash Dog Areas

Off-leash dog areas are not suitable for business use permits. Any dog training business use must be conducted with dogs on-leash at all times.

Trails

Trails may not be reserved for private use. Running/walking events require a reservation and adherence to public event reservation procedures. 

Sports Fields &
Courts

Fields

Athletic fields are reserved through our sports field rental process. For more info, please visit our athletic field rentals page.

Courts

Tennis and Pickleball Courts

Tennis and pickleball courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are not available for private, reserved use. Courts are not available for individual reservation. Courts may be reserved for District-approved activities and events.

Horseshoe Courts

Horseshoe courts at Juniper Park are not available for individual reservation. Courts may be reserved for District-approved activities and events.

 

Questions about sports fields and courts? Contact:

Rentals & Events
Email

Deposits &
Insurance

Deposits

Refundable deposits may be due depending on the type and group size of the rental. Deposit amounts vary by reservation. Providing there is no damage to the park and no additional clean up is required, the deposit will be returned in full within 10 business days.

Insurance

To protect public assets, BPRD requires all commercial park users to provide general liability insurance naming Bend Park and Recreation District as additionally insured. Private park users need to provide insurance when an activity involves the consumption of alcohol, has more than 60 people in attendance, and/or is deemed necessary by the District.  Insurance is due no less than 30 days prior to the reservation date(s).

Please see the Commercial and Multi-Day Insurance Requirements for more information.

Metal Detector
Use Permit

Metal Detector Use Application

In order to operate a metal detector on District property, one must have a metal detector permit in their possession. The permit provides the holder with information on park rules and regulations and how to properly use a metal detector on District property.

Metal detector permits are available free of charge through the online form below, or through Park Services, 1675 SW Simpson, p. (541) 388-5435, hours 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday.

  • Virtual Application

    Filling the form below will process your request. You will receive an email copy of your permit. Please keep and carry your permit while detecting.


    Conditions for Use of Metal Detectors

    Please read terms and conditions below, fill out permit and hit "process request" button to submit your application


    • Applicant must carry this permit while detecting and show it to authorities when it is asked for.
    • The use of metal detectors is prohibited in any park district property without the written permission.
    • This permit is for one year from the issue date and must be renewed annually.
    • The use of metal detectors is permitted only in areas designated by the park district. Metal detecting is not allowed in parks under construction.
    • The probing and digging of items is limited to the use of an ice pick, screwdriver or small knife. The use of larger digging tools is prohibited.
    • All turf, dirt, etc. must be left in the original condition prior to digging.
    • All Federal and State antiquity laws must be obeyed. Arrowheads must be returned where they were found.
    • There is no metal detecting allowed in any athletic field or Hollinshead, Shevlin, Tillicum, Sawyer, Riley Ranch Nature Reserve, First Street Rapids East side (formerly Davis) parks.
    • Reference BMPRD Rules & Regulations: Article I, Section 2, 10.

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Film Permit

Commercial Photography/Videography/Film Permit – $50 per day/per location, plus any necessary reservation and rental fees.

  1. A single professional photographer with a portable camera does not require a permit or District notification.
  2. Professional media production or activity requires a scope of activity and possible evidence of prescribed liability insurance based on risk. Should production require exclusive use of parkland, staff time or other District resources, a permit, park reservation and associated fees apply.
  3. For film permits, please complete and submit a Business Use Request Form.
  4. Certificate of Insurance (COI) must meet the Commercial and Multi-Day Reservation Insurance Requirements.
  5. Requests are to be made a minimum of seven business days in advance of the requested date(s). For more complicated requests with any of the following – multiple dates and locations, exclusive use, activities outside of park rules, large groups (20+) a variety of equipment/vehicles on site – 30 days in advance is strongly advised.
  6. Questions about using a park or facility for a commercial shoot? Contact:
Rentals & Events
Email

Bend Whitewater
Park

A business use permit is required for business conducted at McKay Park, adjacent to the Bend Whitewater Park.  The permit is for instruction/training, any paid service or program, and the sale, rental and/or promotions of merchandise, which is conducted on dry land for anything more than a quick in/out of the Deschutes River.

Classes operating in the Deschutes River must abide by all Oregon State Marine Board rules and regulations.

Business use permits are not offered for Miller’s Landing Park.

Permit Use

Permit holders and class participants do not have exclusive use of the park. Permitted activities may not adversely impact general public use of the parkland or the Bend Whitewater Park. Areas of use in the whitewater park include the Whitewater Channel and the Passageway Channel. The island adjacent to the Whitewater Channel cannot be reserved.

For a quality experience for participants, please conduct in-water activities in non-peak times and days. The Bend Whitewater Park is a public park and is heavily used in afternoons and weekends during the summer.

To avoid conflicts with other users, the District recommends classes/lessons be conducted in down times (5 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) or during the off season (October-April).

Business Use in Water Only

Conducting business in the water only at the Bend Whitewater Park — without any use of river bank or the island — does not require a permit or insurance coverage by the Bend Park and Recreation District; however, it does require an Oregon State Marine Board Outfitter Guide Registration Card. The Marine Board has authority for the water way and is a great resource for questions or assistance applying for outfitter guide registration.