Overview:

This guide is co-published through a partnership with the Cleveland Parks & Greenspace Coalition and Trust for Public Land (TPL). The coalition advocates for an equitable parks and recreation system and supports resident-led stewardship and activation of city parks. TPL works to connect all Ohioans to the outdoors through land conservation, parks, trails and schoolyards. This article is written by Tait Ferguson, coordinator for the coalition. This guide is specifically for City of Cleveland parks, not Cleveland Metroparks.  

Want to reserve a Cleveland park shelter or space at a rec center? Use a fire hydrant for your community garden? If you would like to hold an event that uses city parks and recreation facilities, this is your one-stop shop to the various permit applications, divisions and approval steps.

The forms below are applications, not approvals. The city must approve your permit. 

Permits for Cleveland parks are managed by the Division of Special Events, Division of Recreation, or specific recreation center managers. All are within the Parks and Recreation Department.

With each permit below, you will find the address, fax number, and email of the city office responsible for approval and the primary contact for assistance. Permit applications must be submitted in-person, via fax, or emailed to this listed office. All permit applications must be submitted at least 14 days ahead of an event. The sooner, the better.

Reserving a shelter, pavilion, gazebo or other structure in a city park

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Reserving a park for a large community event (farmers market, concert, etc)

Reserving space in a Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Center (NRRC)

Reserving a baseball/softball field in a city park

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Reserving a multi-purpose field in a city park

Reserving Halloran Skating Rink 

Using a hydrant for water access in a city park

If you have more questions, you can reach out to: parkscoalitioncle@gmail.com.  

Do you have a question about parks and greenspace in your community? Connect with the Parks and Greenspace Coalition and submit your question here. You can learn more about the Trust for Public Land’s work in Ohio here.

The Cleveland Parks & Greenspace Coalition bridges residents, industry experts, funders, political office holders and public partners to ensure accessible, beautiful, and culturally relevant greenspaces are enhancing the lives and health of all Clevelanders.