Event Permits for City Parks and Mobile Stage Rental

Event Permits for City Parks and Trails

Park Special Use Permits

Apply for a Park Special Use Permit

A Park Special Use Permit may be required if your gathering meets any of the following criteria:

• 100+ participants
• Advertising or marketing to the public
• Selling and/or distributing food, goods, or services to the public
• Charging admission or similar fees to the public
• Use of temporary structures (such as tents, inflatables, porta-lets, etc.)
• Use of the one of the stages
• Amplified music
• Organized walk, run, or parades (may also require Parade Permit depending upon route)
• Requests for exclusive use of locations normally intended for first-come, first-served public activities (such as pickleball courts, skate park, etc.)
• Requests for exclusive use of locations not normally accessible by the public

Permits are separated into Large Event and Small Event. The permit process can take from three to five weeks to process. If the permit is approved the organizer will receive a Letter of Approval and an Invoice. Additionally, the organizer will need to provide a Certificate of Event Liability Insurance listing the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation and the renter as additional insured. No event marketing should occur before permit approval.

For more information about the Park Special Use Permit, email Hsiung Marler or call 812-349-3961.

Events in Peoples Park

Events at Peoples Park may not require a Park Special Use Permit. Email Crystal Ritter to request an application for a permit for organized activities in Peoples Park.

Fitness, Music, Art, Dance, Sports, Dog Obedience, and Other Class Permits

Instructors of classes, or personal trainers who charge clients a fee for their activities, must obtain an hourly park use permit to hold those classes in city parks. The Hourly Park Use Permit provides guidance for hourly use of park spaces. For more information or an application, call 812-349-3700.

Mobile Stage Rental

Apply to rent the Parks and Recreation mobile stage.

Groups may apply to rent Bloomington Parks and Recreation's mobile stage for big performances within the City of Bloomington city limits. The mobile stage site must have access to electricity. Stage rental fees are based on a per-day rate, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The mobile stage may be transported only by City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation personnel. A refundable deposit is required.

Email Crystal Ritter for more information about renting the mobile stage.

Noise Permits

If an event on Parks and Recreation property includes amplified sound or music it may require a Noise Permit.  

For more information about a Noise Permit, or to request an application, email Hsiung Marler or call 812-349-3961.

Permits for Filming on City Parks and Recreation Properties

Apply for a Filming Permit

It is the policy of the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department to allow filming and photography when it is consistent with the protection and public enjoyment of city resources and does not interfere with the public's normal use and enjoyment of the park.

There is no cost to obtain a filming permit, and filming permits are good for the duration of the project for which they are approved.

Special permission is required if the filming, video taping, sound recording, or still photography:

• involves taking photographs for the purpose of commercial advertising
• could result in damage to park resources
• could result in significant disruption of normal visitor use
• requires access to areas normally closed to the visiting public

For a complete list of activities prohibited in city parks, see the Filming Permit Application. For more information, email Julie Ramey or call 812-349-3719.

Permit for Research or Scientific Study
Research and Collecting Policy for City Parks

A Scientific Study and Research Permit is required for research and/or collection activities on Bloomington Parks and Recreation (BPRD) properties. By requiring permits, Parks and Recreation can:

1. monitor research being conducted on BPRD property
2. prevent duplication of research
3. meet the management requirements of the state dedicated nature preserves on BPRD property
4. further expand our scientific knowledge by requiring copies of the research results, and
5. protect park sites

For more information or to request an application, email Mary Welz.

Permit Requirements

• Bloomington Parks and Recreation Scientific Study and Research Permit
  A research permit signed by BPRD is required of anyone who wishes to collect scientific data, flora, fauna, or geological specimens on lands owned or managed by BPRD. All research requests require this permit. Scientific study and research period is not to exceed one year. Contact Bloomington Parks and Recreation to discuss long-term research projects.
• Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves signature
  Research on state dedicated Griffy Woods Nature Preserve requires permission from the Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves. Research and Collecting Permits for State Dedicated Nature Preserves (external website, Indiana Department of Natural Resources)
• Indiana Scientific Collector's License
  Any request involving the taking or harassment of vertebrate animals as well as crustaceans and mollusks on BPRD property also requires a separate Scientific Collectors/Purposes License from the Indiana DNR Dvision of Fish and Wildlife. If collecting vertebrate animals, a signed copy of your Indiana Scientific Collectors/Purposes License must be included with your Scientific Study and Research Permit application. Scientific Collectors/Purposes License (external website, Indiana Department of Natural Resources).

Temporary Trail Closures for Private Construction or Tree Work

See Parks and Recreation Policy 13210 regarding Multi-Use Trail Design and Operations

For more information or to request a Temporary Trail Closure application, email Rebecca Swift.