Yes. Reader Rock Garden is a public City of Calgary park. School groups and the general public may be present during your event.

Bookings are available from May 1 to Sept. 30 each year. Booking times are:

• 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The garden is not available for any private permits between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Booking for the 2026 season opens on Oct. 1, 2025.

• Main Lawn
• Western Slope
• West Garden
• Nana’s Garden

• Stay on signed trails and grassy areas.
• Wear appropriate footwear.
• Do not disturb or feed wildlife.
• Pets are not permitted.
• No picking or removing plants, seeds, fruits, or flowers.

Permits are valid for a maximum of 3 hours, including:

• Setup
• Event time
• Takedown

Yes. A permit is required for:

• Private events, including weddings.
• Private and public photo sessions.

You can access the lawn at the start time on your permit. For example, if your booking is from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., you may access the lawn at 2:00 p.m, and all items must be cleared by 5:00 p.m.

No, bookings do not include rehearsal time.

No, the Reader Café is not included in your booking or permit.

• Full payment is due within 45 days of booking confirmation.
• If your event takes place within 45 days of confirmation, full payment is required at the time of booking.

• Cancel within 45 days of booking confirmation: $150 refund available.
• Cancel after 45 days of booking confirmation: no refund.
• Cancellations must be submitted in writing to parksvenues@calgary.ca.

Yes. Washrooms in the basement of Reader’s Garden Café are available only:

• During your booked time.
• For lawn bookings and private photo permits only.

• Only on the Main Lawn through the Reader Café. No outside catering permitted.
• No catering is allowed on the Western Slope, West Garden, or Nana’s Garden

Visit readersgardencafe.ca for more information.

• Catering tables must be placed on gravel surfaces only.
• Glassware is only permitted through Reader Café catering.

Reader Café is responsible for waste management and post-event clean-up of catered events.

No, we do not provide rental items, you must arrange your own.

Yes. All items must be:

• Approved by Parks Venues one month in advance.
• Non-damaging to the grass or environment.

Prohibited items include:

• Pets
• Generators
• Glassware (unless via Reader Café)
• Lanterns, open flames
• Real flower petals, real flowers, birdseed, rice, plant seeds, plants
• Confetti, balloons, bubbles
• Tents, dance floors, mats, runners, carpets
• Signage staked in ground or attached to infrastructure

Allowed with approval:

• Lightweight arches, please submit a photo for approval.
• Sandwich board signage.
• Chairs

All deliveries and pickups must happen during your permitted booking time.

Delivery access by location:

• Main Lawn: 20-minute parking at Reader Café
• West Garden: Use main lower parking lot
• Western Slope & Nana’s Garden: Use adjacent cemetery road

Storage is not available for items before or after the booking.

Yes, but volume must comply with City of Calgary community standards.

The permit holder is:

• Responsible for any event-related damage (minimum $100 fine for excessive waste).
• Liable for all guests' conduct.
• Required to follow all City of Calgary Parks bylaws.

No, The City is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

Yes. A permit is required for all photography sessions.

• Public Photo Permit: Max 3 hours (self-serve, no staff support).
• Private Photo Permit: Max 2 hours.

• Full payment is due 14 days after booking confirmation.
• Bookings within 14 days: Full payment required at time of booking.

Note:

• Photography permits are non-refundable.
• Public Photo Permits may be rescheduled with 14 days' written notice.
• Private Photo Permits cannot be rescheduled.