A greenspace is any area that is maintained by the City’s Parks department but isn't designated a “park.” Things like boulevards and other turf areas not in a “park” are considered greenspaces.

• To get permission to do an activity that isn’t allowed in a City of Calgary park, greenspace, or pathway under the Parks & Pathways Bylaw.
• To gain exclusive use of a park area that is otherwise open to the public.
• Some general rules of thumb are (this is not an exhaustive list, if you have questions about your activity contact parksbookings@calgary.ca):
  • If you are holding an event with more than 50 people.
  • If you are using sound that might be heard by others in the area.
  • If you are conducting a performance before an audience for longer than 30 minutes or more .
  • If you need to access a park after it is closed.
  • If you are walking off designated trails.
  • If you are picking or planting vegetation.
  • If you are setting up temporary art installations.
  • If you are completing research projects.
  • If you are operating a drone that weights more than 250g.
  • If you are driving a vehicle into a park.
  • If you are using pathways for runs/walks/rolls.

*The Parks & Pathways Bylaw is linked here Bylaws related to parks and pathways .

Once a permit application is complete, staff will review the request for a permit and decide if they can issue a permit. Further information may be requested from the applicant about the event prior to making a decision. The following may be considered in making permitting decisions: 

• The purpose and use of parks as a City service generally.
• The nature and size of the event, including whether there is the potential to draw crowds beyond those anticipated by the permit applicant.
• Whether the applicant for the permit has applied for a similar permit in the last year (including any person who previously applied for a permit and who staff reasonably believes is associated with the current applicant).
• The purpose and use of the specific park.
• The Parks & Pathways Bylaw, other City bylaws, and legal agreements.
• Whether the historic and current use of the specific park is consistent with the proposed event. 
• Impact of the proposed activity to other users and the displacement of typical users. 
• The location of the event within the park and its proximity to residential buildings.
• Safety concerns with the proposed event. 
• The presence of vulnerable park users. 
• Size, shape, topography, and configuration of the specific park.
• The risk of damage to the park's amenities or to natural vegetation or to wildlife habitats. 
• The availability of other City spaces for the event.
• Whether other events are already scheduled for the same specific park on the same day or recently.

If you are planning to host an event on City managed land that will involve any of the following:

• Serving alcohol.
• Fireworks or other types of pyrotechnic displays.
• Setting up one or more tents or stages with a combined area greater than 600 sq. ft.
• Utilizing roadways or sidewalks.
• Events which may require additional support due to potential protests.

Applications for a festival booking must be submitted with at least 90 days' notice to plan for your event.

• Weddings.
• Parties / Receptions.
• Cultural & Community engagements.
• Concerts / Performances.
• Sport Activities / Group Fitness.
• Runs / Walks /Marathons and Fundraisers.
• Research / Education.
• Filming – non-commercial.

Parks can be booked at most parks, greenspaces and pathways so long as they are available. Popular amenities within the parks such as spray parks, playgrounds, skate parks, gazebos, and docks cannot be booked.

• If your event is a sports-based event utilizing a sports field, a Playfield booking through a different City department (Recreation & Social Programs) is required. 
• If your event is not sports related, an application can be submitted to Parks Bookings.

The busy season runs from May to September. On average, approximately 1500 permits from external customers are supported each year.

There are only blackout dates for Picnic Site bookings. Refer to book a picnic site webpage for more details.

• Picnic sites, fire pits, alcohol tables and food truck stall availability can be seen when booking these areas online.
• Availability of parks and greenspaces can be seen by using the search tool on Live & Play: Parks & Greenspaces Availability - City of Calgary - Registered Programs.

We aim to get back to you in 14 days but can take up to 30 days. 

You can check the status of your application through 311 online: 311 Calgary You will need your Service Request # that was sent to your email address when you first submitted your application.

You can send an email to parksbookings@calgary.ca and we’ll try to respond to you as soon as possible.

Parks bookings can only be reached at parksbookings@calgary.ca or by submitting a general 311 Service Request.

No, because Parks bookings does not have a physical office that is open to the public.

You are able to apply for the following year, up to one year in advance. We will hold your application in the queue. All applications received will be processed in January and February, after the Returning Event applications have been processed. 

• It helps the booking team understand what you are planning in the park. Maps are required when structures are going to be present at your event (inflatables, stages, or tents over 600 sq. ft.), vehicle access is being requested, power is being requested, event route for a run/walk
• A site map can help to process your application faster and avoid delays.

• A Natural Area is an area that is typically not mowed by the City of Calgary. These areas will have tall grass (that isn’t mowed) and might also have a lot of trees.
• Events are not allowed in Natural Areas so that wildlife, plants, and soil are protected.

If an event has more than 50 attendees, a permit is required. 

• If money is a barrier to you, your gathering may be eligible for a discount if it supports one of more of the following: 
  • Help others build resiliency. 
  • Reduce isolation. 
  • Build a sense of community. 
  • Connect like-minded people. 
  • Support grassroot initiatives. 
  • In addition, eligible gatherings must be welcoming to everyone in the park. 

• Markets can be permitted under two options: 
  • A one-day event with six or fewer vendors. This option has less limitations and a greater chance of being approved. 
  • Multiple vendors for consecutive days may be approved, however only select locations and with more stipulations/conditions. 
• Some parks may not be appropriate for even small markets (e.g., natural areas with limited parking lots such as Griffiths Woods or Nose Hill).  Further, Parks permits will still require approval as some sites may already be booked or may have additional restrictions.

• At this time, there are no translation/interpretive services available through Parks Bookings. 
• 311 telephone agents have access to a language translation service that can assist citizens with requesting City of Calgary information or services. This translation service provides support in more than 300 languages. You can contact 311 by dialing 3-1-1 on the phone.

• Event set up and cleanup are the sole responsibility of the applicant. 
• Please be aware that it is your responsibility to leave the park, pathway, or greenspace in the way that you found it. Improper cleanup can result in fines or restrictions when applying for future events.

A Returning Event (sometimes referred to as a “Renewal”) is one that has been booked for 2 years under the same account, has used the same location, and was held on the same date. A Returning Event would also have the same scope each year.

Once your Returning Event is identified by Parks Bookings, we will send you an email reminder before the next calendar year to apply by a specific date. If you submit your complete application by that date, we will process it before all other applications for the upcoming year. This helps ensure that you get your permit early so you can continue planning your event.

Contact 311 with your observations of damage or misuse. Also, report damage or misuse to Parks staff onsite if they are available. 

Yes, all structures placed in a park, on a pathway or in a greenspace for any duration during an event must be accompanied by a site map, showing exact placement, including dimensions. Structures may include, but are not limited to tents, fire pits, stages, inflatables, portable toilets, etc. Please be aware that omitting the site map can result in processing and approval delays.   

Staking, or digging into the ground, is not permitted because many lines could be accidentally hit, causing damage that is costly to repair.

Yes, you can bring your own camp-style or backyard barbeque into the park. Larger barbecues that are fueled by propane are also acceptable. Please be considerate and place backyard barbeques away from grassy areas, on cement or dirt if at all possible. You are not permitted to bring a commercial or industrial-sized solid-fueled barbeque without obtaining a Parks & Open Spaces permit.

For more information about individual parks amenities please visit our parks information page.

Alcohol is permitted at four types of locations in parks: neighbourhood picnic tables, large picnic sites, open areas and winter fire pits.

If you plan to serve alcohol at your event you must apply as a Festivals booking Planning a festival or event with The City of Calgary.

You can enjoy your personal, portable propane fire pit from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and weekends at City of Calgary picnic sites. Personal wood burning fire pits are not allowed.

Yes, when reviewing and processing your application, Parks Bookings can facilitate the booking of a requested picnic site (if it is available).

With approval and under specific rules called “Conditions of Use”, portable toilets may be approved. These are not supplied by the City of Calgary. You are responsible for paying for and organizing the portable toilets to be delivered and picked up and must strictly follow the Conditions of Use listed on your permit.  

None of these are allowed at any event to protect the natural environment.

If it is allowed at that certain location. The food truck can only serve your event attendees exclusively. Food trucks are not allowed on turf areas.

Any vehicle access into a park, on a pathway or in a greenspace will require a site map detailing the access point and route taken. A Proximity and Access permit may be required. This permit can be requested by accessing the City’s myID online service.

• Drones weighing less than 250 grams are permitted in park areas with cut grass (manicured for play or sports activities). Flying in natural areas (those with long grass which may have nesting birds) is strictly prohibited.
•  Drones that weigh 250g and over require a Parks & Open Spaces permit, with at least 30 days’ notice.
• For more information regarding drones, check here: Drones in Calgary parks.

All commercial filming and commercial still photography must go through Calgary Economic Development.

•  You can take casual photos without a permit at most locations; Devonian Gardens and Reader Rock Garden require a photography permit, which can be applied for at Photography Devonian Gardens or Photography - Reader Rock Garden.
• Commercial photography or film production related photography does require a permit through Calgary Economic Development. 

• Yes, in certain parks this is allowed. Please include this request on your application and we will determine if the amplified sound is suitable for the location.  
• Under all cases, sound must comply with City of Calgary Noise Bylaws.

• Electricity may be available in some locations and can be requested at the time of booking. 
• Fees may apply for electrical services beyond using a standard plug.

Generator use may be permitted in some locations and can be requested at the time of booking. Generators aren’t allowed to be used if there are electrical plugs available to help with the City of Calgary environmental initiatives.

Event organizers are responsible for managing their event set up and corresponding evacuation plans/emergency protocols.

Avoid wildlife and if the situation could become dangerous, contact 311 or Fish and Wildlife through the Province of Alberta.

• Self-serve (online) using a credit card.
• Over the phone using credit card by calling the Our Customer Service Centre at 403-268-3800.

• A standard timeline to review and process an application is 30 days, especially during the busy season of May-September.
• On average, Parks Bookings processes 1500 external applications annually. Events are prioritized based on when they were submitted. The booking team does their best to expediate requests but it is not a guarantee.

• Once your application is submitted for approval by Parks Bookings and depending on the complexity of the booking and volume of existing applications, approvals can take up to 7-10 business days.
• Once approved, your invoice will be issued with a timeline of seven business days to complete payment. 
• Once payment has been made, a permit will be issued within 1-2 business days.

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure and hold in good standing the required level of insurance for their events.
• Organizations or individuals utilizing a park or greenspace through the City of Calgary are required to carry general liability insurance acceptable to the Risk Management section of the Law Department in an amount of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) inclusive limit for any one occurrence and such insurance shall include the City of Calgary as additional insured. This insurance must not have a participant’s exclusion.
• Additional insurance may be required for higher-risk activities, such as flying hot air balloons.

Insurance will help protect your organization from any claims or accidents that occur during your event. The city grants the permits but does not accept responsibility for the event itself, or anything that occurs as a result of it. Should something happen and a case be brought against the City, an indemnity clause on the permit means that you will be responsible for dealing with the issue, not the City. 

• Ensure you arrive at your booking with your permit. Try to approach the other person or party, showing the permit. If this does not work, you can try to find parks staff for assistance. If staff cannot be found, call 311 for bylaw enforcement. 
• Unfortunately, Parks Bookings cannot prevent ‘non-permitted’ use of a park or greenspace.

Depending on the time of year, during our busy season, email response time can be 2-3 weeks. To ensure a quicker response, please make sure you’ve answered all questions and submitted a site map (if needed; see FAQ above) with your application.

• Payment is due within seven business days of being issued. 
• The administration fee is non-refundable and supports the operational maintenance and costs to manage the parks and greenspaces being applied for within the permit applications. 

• Changes (amendments) require a minimum of seven calendar days’ notice prior to the event date. A $10.00 administration fee plus applicable GST will apply for changes made.
• If the change requires additional approvals from others in the City of Calgary, and the request is received with less than seven calendar days' notice, changes are not guarenteed.

Cancellations must be sent 30 calendar days prior to the event date. Any change in location or reduction of booking hours will require a $10.50 amendment fee applied to the permit.

Your event will not be cancelled due to the weather. Specifically, Inclement weather refunds are not provided. It is the permit holder’s responsibility to check the upcoming weather forecast to decide if you wish to keep or cancel a booking. Cancelling a booking will not result in a refund of fees.