Picnics in Vancouver's parks

Vancouver has some of the most beautiful picnic areas in the world.

Space is available for your picnic on a first come basis if your group is less than 50 people and you are not using a designated picnic site (which has picnic facilities like shelters, kitchens, access to water and electricity, and more).

You may bring a barbecue, blankets, lawn chairs, and a small table.

Permits for picnics

You must get a picnic permit if your group is larger than 50 people (or larger than 25 people at Maple Grove Park). You must also get a picnic permit if you would like to reserve any of the designated picnic locations listed below regardless of your group size.

Your permit will match up with a reservation sign or a picnic shelter at your picnic location.

Picnic sites are booked in two time slots:

Day (7 hours from 9:00am to 4:00pm)
Evening (5.5 hours from 4:00pm to 9:30pm)

NOTE: When entering the event date in the online reservation form, under "Specify when the event starts", select Use Exact Time and specify the time slot start time (either 9:00 or 4:00). Under "Specify how long the event lasts", enter the length of the time slot (either 7 hours or 5.5 hours). If you book more than 7 hours for the day time slot, you will be charged for the evening time slot as well.

To reserve a picnic site and get a permit:

Need help?

Download the picnic site booking tutorial

Groups of 150 or more people and special locations

If your group is 150 people or larger, or you wish to have your picnic at a special location that is not a designated picnic site, you will also need to submit a special event application.

It can take up to two months to process special event applications.

Download a special event in parks permit application form

Picnic sites

Reservations have two time slots:

Day: 9:00am-4:00pm
Evening: 4:00pm-9:30pm

If you book past 4:00pm, you will be charged for the evening time slot, too.

Fees are per time slot (not per hour) and do not include tax.

Site	Maximum persons	Details	Fee
Ceperley/ Second Beach	150	Sheltered Permitted tables are under the gazebo Amenities include: kitchen with 3 cold water sinks, 4 electrical outlets (15 amp only) Close to: public playground, pitch & putt, outdoor pool, washrooms, accessible pay parking stalls No inflatables allowed	$101.81
Fraser River Park	150	Not sheltered Amenities include: 4 tables painted green, reserve sign Close to: grassed fields, washrooms, and trails Inflatables allowed only with permit and authorization	$61.62
Jericho Pond	150	Not sheltered Amenities include: 5 tables painted green Close to: beach, concession and washrooms No inflatables allowed	$88.38
Locarno Beach	150	Not sheltered Amenities include: 5 tables painted green, reserve sign, hot coal disposable pit, water tap Close to beach, concession, and washrooms No inflatables allowed	$88.38
Maple Grove Park	75	Not sheltered Amenities include: 4 tables painted green, reserve sign, 2 BBQs Close by: ball diamond (picnic area must also be booked), playground, pool, washrooms No inflatables, no oversized BBQs, or catering equipment allowed	$88.38
Memorial South Park	75	Not sheltered Amenities include: 4 tables painted green, 2 BBQs, reserve sign Close by: tennis courts, pond, grass fields, playground, washrooms on east side of park No inflatables allowed	$61.62
Miniature Railway 1	150	Sheltered Amenities include: shared kitchen, 2 electrical outlets, cold water, grassed area Close to: Lumbermen's Arch, Miniature Train, Vancouver Aquarium, and playground No inflatables allowed	$101.81
Miniature Railway 2	150	Sheltered Amenities include: shared kitchen, 2 electrical outlets, cold water, grassed area Close to: Lumbermen's Arch, Miniature Train, Vancouver Aquarium, and playground No inflatables allowed	$101.81
New Brighton Park	150	Not sheltered Amenities include: 5 tables painted green, reserve sign Close to: fields, washrooms, swimming pool, playground, concession No inflatables allowed Parking off of McGill Street, Commissioner Street Overpass or Bridgeway Avenue	$88.38
Prospect Point	150	Sheltered Amenities include: kitchen with sinks and 3 power outlets (15 amp only), ball diamond, hot coal disposal pit, shuttle bus stop, washrooms Close to pay parking with 2 accessible stalls Inflatables allowed only with permit and authorization	$163.38
Riverfront Park	75	Covered area is smaller than the other covered picnic sites. Amenities include: 2 tables (sheltered), 4 tables (not sheltered), water tap Close by: half-court basketball, tennis courts, playground, walkway along river, washrooms (wheelchair accessible) No inflatables allowed	$88.38
Trout Lake (John Hendry)	150	Sheltered Amenities include: reserve sign, water tap, no electrical outlets Close by: concession, lake washrooms and playground No inflatables allowed	$101.81

Refunds for outdoor facilities reservations

Once a permit is confirmed, cancellation requests require a minimum of 10 working days notice before the reservation date for a refund of fees, minus a $25.00 administration fee.

No refunds are issued for cancellations of bookings made within 10 working days of the reservation date.

Ask. Tell. Connect.

Phone 3-1-1 to ask, tell, and connect with the City

Outside Vancouver:
604-873-7000

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More ways to contact us

Recreation accounts

Manage your account

Contact us

All reservations are taken through our online reservation system.

For more information, contact us by email.

pbpicnic@vancouver.ca

Learn about insurance requirements

Insurance requirements for filming, event, and facility use

The City requires that you carry liability insurance for events or activities that you hold on City and Park Board Property, or in any City or Park Board facility. Learn about the requirements.

Terms and conditions

Picnic site terms and conditions

Find the Park Board's terms and conditions of using a designated picnic site in our parks

Policies and guidelines

Picnic policies and guidelines

Find the Park Board's policies and guidelines for picnics held in parks — what equipment you will need to bring, information about playing music, alcohol restrictions, and more.

Last modified: Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:39:26