Category: Public Works and Facilities
Policy No.: PWF-8
Subject: Picnic Shelter Rental Policy
Date Issued: 1/27/2025
Staff Contact:
Last Updated:
The City of Kenmore maintains 8 parks and over 93 acres of parkland. Each of these unique parks provides an array of amenities; from waterfront access and activities, to skateparks and playgrounds, to boardwalks and unique works of art. The City of Kenmore is dedicated to promoting healthy living, providing recreation opportunities for children and adults, and keeping our community connected to the natural environment.
Picnic shelters are available at several Kenmore parks. Picnic shelters offer the community a gathering place in city parks. The purpose of the following policies is to establish rules for the community use of the picnic shelters.
Picnic Shelters are located at the following parks in Kenmore:
Log Boom Park
Rhododendron Park
ƛ̕ax̌ʷadis (Tl’ awh-ah-dees) Park
Moorlands Park
Each site offers a furnished covered picnic area, charcoal barbeques, power, and access to park restrooms, all included with each rental. For more detailed information about specific on-site amenities please visit the City’s online park directory. Rental activities must be contained within the picnic shelter and barbeque areas. All other areas in the park (beaches, shorelines, trails, play structures, docks, park amenities, walkways and paths, etc.) will remain open and available to the general public.
A larger area may be available but may also require obtaining a Special Event permit.
City events or co-sponsored activities will have priority over other group or individual users.
Picnic shelters are offered in block rental periods including half day (9am to 2pm or 3pm to 9pm) and full day (9am to 9pm). Rental periods must include all activities associated with rental; setup, cleanup, deliveries and/or pickup of any equipment. There may be multiple events on the same day, so arriving and departing on time is important.
Picnic shelters are available to rent daily February through October except for the following observed holidays:
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Each picnic shelter may be reserved for a party of under 100 people without obtaining a Special Event Permit.
Kenmore residents may reserve a picnic shelter at the resident rate (deposit and/or cleaning fee may apply). To ensure the policies are being followed, the City may limit or suspend rental(s) for persons or organizations that violate these policies. Kenmore residents may pay the resident rate if the Applicant is a current resident of Kenmore.
Rental rates are broken up into resident and nonresident rates. Applicant shall have a Kenmore address to qualify for the resident rate. Rental fees are included in the annual fee schedule adopted by City Council.
Fees may be waived for applicants who are Kenmore residents whose household income are at or below 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI) as adjusted for family size. Eligibility will be determined by AMI percentage table provided by Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH). It is only required that the applicant meet AMI requirements, not other attendees.
No alcohol is allowed on the premises. Personal gas/propane barbeques with a drip pan may be brought in for use. Personal charcoal operated barbecues are not allowed. Place personal barbecue(s) in a location to prevent smoke damage to the structure and safe for your guests and other park visitors. On-site grills are charcoal only; renter is responsible for bringing their own charcoal. Since the grills are open to the public, the City does not guarantee their cleanliness, it is the responsibility of the renter to clean on-site grills.
Parking is not reserved and is available first-come, first serve for all park users in designated parking areas only. On-site parking rules and parking laws apply. Parking may not be reserved or blocked off.
Renters shall be responsible for their own equipment. Any rented or brought on-site additional equipment or supplies is to be disclosed on the application for preapproval.
A single standard power receptacle is available at each picnic shelter location. If additional power is desired, the use and description of a renter provided generator must be disclosed on the rental application and receive preapproval. Certain size generators may require a permit. The use of a generator without a permit, if applicable, is not allowed. The City does not provide rentals.
Garbage must be contained to on-site garbage receptacles. Additional garbage or items too large to fit into on-site receptacles should be removed and appropriately disposed of by the renter at the end of the reservation period.
1. 
Reservations can be made up to six months in advance and a minimum of 14 calendar days.
2. 
Renters must be 18 years of age or older and must sign the City’s Picnic Shelter Rental Application and Agreement.
3. 
Applicant must be present for the entire duration of the rental.
4. 
Groups composed of minors shall always be supervised by a sufficient number of adults (18 years of age or older) while using City facilities.
5. 
The Applicant is considered to be the responsible party in case of damage, theft, or disturbance during use of City facilities.
6. 
All rentals are for private, by invitation only parties, not open to the public.
7. 
All renters shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining, at no cost to the City, all licenses, permits, and other authorizations required to conduct rental activities. Food trucks may be permissible, but only with City approval and may additionally require a Special Event Permit.
8. 
Renter shall be responsible for restoring the picnic shelter to the condition it was in prior to rental. All garbage/recycling shall be deposited in the appropriate container, and all food and beverages shall be removed from the premises.
9. 
The Renter is the responsible party in case of damage, theft, or disturbance during use of the picnic shelter.
The City may cancel a reservation at any time due to an emergency, severe weather or situations that may result in facility damage or personal injury. The City Manager or designee can also cancel a reservation if picnic shelter is needed for a city sponsored event. In such instances a full refund will be provided.
No refunds will be provided dues to weather conditions. Cancellations must be made by email to reservations@kenmorewa.gov. Cancellations 60+ days in advance will receive 75% refund. Cancellations 30-59 days in advance will receive 50% refund.
Cancellations 0-29 days in advance will receive no refund. Refunds will be credited with the original form of payment.
Rentals that book multiple dates at a consistent day and time require approval by the City Manager or designee, and in most cases requests for an ongoing rental will be approved for no more than three months at a time.
Picnic shelters may not be rented more than once a month by the same applicant unless the applicant is working directly with the City via a Special Event permit or other agreement.
An Applicant must sign the City of Kenmore’s Picnic Shelter Rental Application and Agreement. Applicant agrees to indemnify and hold the City, its elected officials, officers, employees, agents and volunteers harmless from any and all claims, demands, losses, action and liabilities, including costs or attorney’s fees, to or by any and all persons or entities, including, without limitation, their respective agents, licensees, or representatives, arising from, resulting from or connected in any way with the rental of a park picnic shelter by the Applicant and attendees of the activity, or by the Applicant’s or attendees’ breach of the rental policies or rental agreement. The City is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.
Liability insurance naming the City of Kenmore as an additional insured is required for events that exceed 100 people or for other reasons as deemed necessary by the City Manager or designee. Applicants required to obtain insurance shall provide proof of commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 combined, single limit per occurrence. Such insurance shall be primary over any coverage held by the City and shall name the City as an additional insured. Two weeks prior to the facility rental date, the applicant shall submit a copy of the insurance policy declaration page to the City as evidence of acceptable insurance coverage. The certificate of insurance shall include the following items: location of activity; type of activity; separate endorsement sheet; date(s) of coverage.
Noise levels must comply with Kenmore Municipal Code 8.05 Noise. Sound shall not be audible at a distance greater than 75 feet from the source. Amplified sound must cease by 9:00 p.m. Please be respectful of residential neighbors, businesses and other park users. Speakers must face inward, towards the event, not outward towards open park area or neighbors.
Decorations or signs can be hung using non-damaging, paint safe tape only. All decorations, signage, banners, tape, strings, supplies and equipment are to be removed by the end of the rental period. No decor/signage may be attached our displayed outside of the rental area.
Applicants must get pre-approval to schedule deliveries for their rental period. The Applicant must be present to accept or sign for any deliveries related to the event, and the delivery/pick up time will be considered part of the rental period. No onsite storage space is available before or after the rental period.
All City of Kenmore codes and ordinances are in effect and enforced during the use of City of Kenmore facilities. Regulations governing sound, vehicle access, etc. apply per the City of Kenmore Municipal Code. The renter agrees to comply with all local, state and federal non-discrimination laws, regulations and policies while renting a city facility.
The following activities are not allowed by drop-in park users or private party rentals:
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Inflatables/bouncy houses, hamster balls, bubble soccer, dunk tanks, pony rides, petting zoos, trackless trains, laser tag, foam parties, all other high-risk activities.
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Events advertised on social media, by flyer, etc.
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Events open to the public.
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Solicitations and advertising.
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Business use and/or selling of merchandise/services.
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Alcohol service and/or consumption.
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Fireworks.
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Amplified sound audibles 75 feet beyond its origin.
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Motorized vehicles on turf, grass, or sidewalks
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Digging and/or driving stakes into the ground
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Confetti, glitter, and paint.
City or Park staff may or may not be on site during your rental.
If you have an emergency, please call 911.
To report a nonemergency issue please use the Report a Concern Online Form on the City’s website.
No Election/Campaign Activity In Violation of Law: City of Kenmore facilities may not be used for campaign purposes in violation of RCW 42.17A.555, WAC 390-05-271 and WAC 390-05-273.
No Endorsement: Receiving permission to use City facilities does not constitute an endorsement of a group’s philosophies, policies, or beliefs.
Distribution of Give-Aways: The City reserves the right to deny the distribution of items at events deemed to be hazardous, a nuisance or not family friendly.
City Can Add Restrictions/Requirements: The City can add requirements and/or restrictions as deemed necessary, depending on the event. The City will identify the required additional requirements and/or restrictions in writing five (5) business days in advance of the event (or prior to the Applicant’s final payment securing the reservation) and the Applicant’s signature agreeing to the additional conditions will be required. The City can deny rental requests due to staff or facility availability, incompatibility of the rental request with the City facilities, or other reasons. All requests are subject to the approval of the City Manager or designee. The City reserves the right to terminate an event if risks to safety or property exist or if users are violating facility use policies or other laws.
Policy Interpretation and Amendments: The City Manager shall have the authority to exercise reasonable judgement and discretion in the interpretation and amending of these policies.