Booking Special Events in Parks & Recreation Centres

Toronto’s parks and recreation facilities are our common grounds – the spaces where we come together as a community to meet, celebrate and to build a healthier, more welcoming city.

If your gathering or event includes the sale or service of alcohol, serving food to the public, amplified sound over 85dB, structures or other more complicated elements, your booking is for a special event.

  • Residents and organizations can also book parks or recreation facilities for one-time gatherings, photo shoots or meetings, including the use of a kitchen, fire pit, BBQ or oven.
  • Large, significant or complicated events that involve multiple City divisions may need the support and expertise of the City’s Special Event Support.

How to Apply

Step 1: Fill out this application form:  Special Event Application City Parklands (including Mel Lastman Square)

Step 2: Once you’ve filled out the application, mail it to:

City Hall
Permits, Parks, Forestry & Recreation
100 Queen St. W., Main Floor East Tower
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Fax: 416-392-1551

Application Deadline

8 weeks prior to the event date (minimum requirement)

Keep in Mind

  • If you are organizing a major event on City property, Event Support can assist.
  • All events in the City of Toronto facilities are required to be non-partisan during an election year. Events will not be permitted to display and or hand out any political and/or campaign material(s) during events. This policy applies to all three orders of government.

To book a facility for an indoor event, please go to the facility listing and contact the facility directly. They’ll be able to assist you with the permit.

How to Apply

Step 1: Fill out this application form: Special Event Application City Parklands.

Step 2: Once you’ve filled out the application, mail it to:

Toronto City Hall
Permits, Parks, Forestry & Recreation
100 Queen St. W., Main Floor East Tower
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Fax: 416-392-1551

*Rates identified are daily permit rates

HTO, Sugar Beach, Sherbourne Common, Guild Inn Gardens

 Permit Rates 
Event Attendance Rate*
Corporate 0-4500 $1,983.00
Festival/ Performances 0-4500 $3,965.99
Promotions 0-4500 $3,888.22
Sampling Weekday 0-4500 $944.28
Sampling Weekend 0-4500 $1,110.92

Roundhouse Park

Permit Rates
Event Attendance Rate*
Corporate 0-4500 $5,948.98
Festival/ Performances 0-4500 $7,931.98
Promotions 0-4500 $3,888.22
Sampling Weekday 0-4500 $944.28
Sampling Weekend 0-4500 $1,110.92

Ashbridges Bay Park

Permit Rates
Event Attendance Rate*
Corporate 4501-10,000 $7,931.98
Festival/ Performances 4501-10,000 $7,931.98
Promotions 4501-10,000 $3,888.22
Sampling Weekday 4501-10,000 $944.28
Sampling Weekend 4501-10,000 $1,110.92

Woodbine

Permit Rates
Event Attendance Rate*
Corporate 4501-10,000 $9,914.96
Festival/ Performances 4501-10,000 $11,897.96
Promotions 4501-10,000 $3,888.22
Sampling Weekday 4501-10,000 $944.28
Sampling Weekend 4501-10,000 $1,110.92

Toronto Island

Permit Rates
Event Attendance Rate*
Corporate > 10,000 $5,948.98
Festival/ Performances > 10,000 $7,931.98
Promotions > 10,000 $3,888.22
Sampling Weekday > 10,000 $944.28
Sampling Weekend > 10,000 $1,110.92

Ferry Docks

Permit Rates
Event Attendance Rate*
Promotions < 4,500 $3,888.22
Sampling Weekday < 4,500 $944.28
Sampling Weekend < 4,500 $1,110.92

 

The following park locations have been pre-approved. Pre-approval speeds-up the application process, however, any park may be considered for Commercial Special Events:

To hold a special event in any one of our City of Toronto parklands your organization is required to be a registered non-profit organization. Your group will be required to provide the City of Toronto with your charitable donation number or ‘letters of patent’ showing your registered non-profit status.

The event itself is required to be open to the public, non-profit; non-promotional. The purpose of your event cannot be for profit or promotion. Events are also not permitted to be private.

An event is deemed a Special event irrespective of anticipated attendance if one or more of the following is true:

  1. The event will be selling or serving food to the public.
  2. The event will be using sound amplification (speakers, megaphone).
  3. The event will require the construction /installation of tents or stages.
  4. The event will be serving or selling alcohol.
  5. The event will use a hot air balloon.
  6. The event will have amusement type rides and games ie. bouncing castle.
  7. The event is accepting donations, fundraising, running a lottery, draw or raffle.
  8. Fireworks.
  9. The use of generator(s) in the park.

Note 1: For any one of the above-listed items, insurance is a requirement and is mandatory.
Note 2: Special Events are not considered an “outdoor social gathering” (e.g. birthday party in a park). Please contact Customer Service for “outdoor social gatherings” at 416-392-8188.