Picnics in Vancouver parks

How to reserve a site

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  Before reserving a site

  Alert Picnic sites can be reserved from April 1 to September 30, 2026. 

  Alert Site conditions are accepted as is.

  Time slots available

  • 9am to 3pm
  • 4pm to 9:30pm

  Guidelines

  • Kitchen facilities may be requested for an additional fee of $63.
  • Inflatables are permitted and authorized with additional insurance at Prospect Point and Fraser River picnic sites.
  • Review and familiarize yourself with:
    • Picnic site policies and guidelines
    • Picnic site terms and conditions
    • Insurance requirements for filming, event, and facility use, including picnic sites
    • Picnic booking restrictions
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  Picnic booking restrictions

  Advertisement

  Advertisement is strictly prohibited. If you would like to have a publicly advertised event, apply for a special event permit.

  This includes, but not limited to:

  • Social media advertisement
  • Posters on a bulletin

  Information icon small, tabletop identification sign is allowed.

  Setup and structures

  Additional special event setup outside of the regular picnic guidelines is not allowed. This includes, but not limited to:

  • Portable washrooms
  • Climbing walls
  • Stages
  • DJ systems
  • Over-sized speakers
  • Over-sized tents

  Information icon No staking or spiking is allowed in Vancouver Parks. Any tents or lawn games must be weighted down.

  Information icon All equipment must be either carried or carted in from the nearest parking lot. No driving on grassy areas or service roads are allowed at any time.

  Entertainment and personal services

  Entertainment and personal services are not permissible under the picnic program. If you would like to have any live entertainment or personal services at your event, apply for a special event permit. This includes, but not limited to:

  • Musical performances (bands, orchestras, or other performances)
  • Pony rides
  • Caricatures
  • Magicians
  • Hired, third-party, or contracted performers

  Weddings

  Wedding ceremonies, elopments, and receptions are prohibited under the designated picnic site program.

  If you would like to have a wedding at a designated wedding site, apply online. For all other wedding related enquiries, email [email protected]. 

  Balloons, decorations, confetti, smoke bombs, and coloured smoke

  • The use of confetti is not allowed.
  • All Vancouver parks and beaches are smoke-free zones.
  • The use of smoke bombs or coloured smoke (for gender reveals, and so on) are prohibited.
  • Make sure all balloons are weighted down. No balloon structures such as balloon arches or backdrops are allowed.
  • Do not tie any decorations to trees or existing foliage in parks.
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  BBQ restrictions in parks

  Fire danger rating	Restrictions
  Low	All BBQs permitted.
  Moderate	Briquette BBQs, charcoal BBQs, propane BBQs, and gas stoves are permitted.*
  High	Charcoal BBQs, propane BBQs, and gas cooking stoves are permitted.* Briquette BBQs can be used in picnic shelters but not preferred.
  Extreme	Propane BBQs and gas cooking stoves are permitted.* Briquette BBQs and charcoal BBQs are prohibited.  Information icon Stanley Park may be subject to stricter restrictions.
  Extenuating circumstances (for example, a heat dome)	No BBQs or cooking stoves are permitted. In consultation with local fire authorities, public access restrictions may be imposed, including the potential overnight closure of parks.

  *Follow these safe use guidelines:

  • Use BBQs at picnic shelters
  • Keep BBQs away from forested areas
  • Place BBQs at least 75 cm off the ground
  • Maintain direct supervision while BBQs are in use.
  • Have water readily available to extinguish any fires
  • Make sure BBQs are fully extinguished and removed after use

  Extreme fire danger rating: Stanley Park

  In Stanley Park, you need a permit from the Park Board to use propane or gas barbecues. This applies to picnics at designated sites and permitted special events. Permit holders must follow the safe use guidelines.

  As a permit holder, you should have a fire extinguisher on hand, keep away from easily ignitable substances (such as trees and shrubs), and place your barbecue on a hard surface whenever possible.

  A rechargeable 1-A:10-B:C home fire extinguisher is recommended. This type is designed to fight wood, paper, fabric, flammable liquid, and electrical fires.

  Learn more about fire safety in parks

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  Designated picnic sites and fees

  Alert Fees are per time slot and do not include tax.

  Alert Payment is due at the time of booking.

  Alert Kitchen access is available upon request at Stanley Park Second Beach and Stanley Park Railway. An additional charge of $63 plus GST applies.

  Alert The corporate rate applies to all private or commercial organizations. Non-profit organizations are exempt and qualify for the residential rate.

  Neighbourhood parks

  Site	Map	Maximum persons	Details	Rates
  Fraser River Park		150	Not sheltered Amenities include: 4 tables painted green, reserve sign Close by: grass fields, washrooms, and trails Inflatables allowed only with permit and authorization No food trucks permitted No electric outlets Note Because of a broken water main, the washrooms are currently closed.	Residential: $93 Corporate: $279
  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 No food trucks permitted No electric outlets	Residential: $93 Corporate: $279
  New Brighton Park		150	Not sheltered Amenities include: 5 tables painted green, reserve sign Close by: fields, washrooms, swimming pool, playground, concession No inflatables allowed Parking off of McGill Street, Commissioner Street Overpass or Bridgeway Avenue No food trucks permitted No electric outlets	Residential: $93 Corporate: $279

  Specialty parks

  Site	Map	Maximum persons	Details	Rates
  Jericho Pond		150	Not sheltered Amenities include: 5 tables painted green Close by: beach, concession and washrooms No inflatables allowed No food trucks permitted No electric outlets	Residential: $134 Corporate: $402
  Locarno Beach		150	Not sheltered Amenities include: 5 tables painted green, reserve sign, hot coal disposable pit, water tap Close by: beach, concession, and washrooms No inflatables allowed No food trucks permitted No electric outlets	Residential: $134 Corporate: $402
  Maple Grove Park		75	Not sheltered Amenities include: 4 tables painted green, reserve sign, 2 BBQs Close by: ball diamond (booked separately), playground, pool, washrooms No inflatables, no oversized BBQs, or catering equipment allowed No food trucks permitted No electric outlets	Residential: $134 Corporate: $402
  Riverfront Park		75	Covered area is smaller than the other covered picnic sites. Amenities include: 2 tables (covered), 4 tables (not covered), water tap and 2 BBQ's Close by: half-court basketball, tennis courts, playground, walkway along river, washrooms (wheelchair accessible) No inflatables allowed No food trucks permitted No electric outlets	Residential: $134 Corporate: $402

  Premium parks

  Site	Map	Maximum persons	Details	Rates
  John Hendry/Trout Lake		150	Sheltered Amenities include: reserve sign, water tap Close by: concession, lake washrooms and playground No inflatables allowed No food trucks permitted No electric outlets	Residential: $249 Corporate: $747
  Stanley Park Prospect Point		150	Sheltered 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 Food trucks allowed only with permit and authorization  Important note Due to ongoing construction, 35 parking stalls are currently available at Prospect Point picnic site.	Residential: $249 Corporate: $747
  Stanley Park Railway #1		150	Sheltered Close by: Lumbermen's Arch, Miniature Train, Vancouver Aquarium, and playground  No inflatables allowed Shares site with Stanley Park Railway #2 No food trucks permitted Kitchen available upon request. Amenities include: shared counter (no cooking appliances or fridge available), 2 electrical outlets, cold water	Residential: $249 Corporate: $747
  Stanley Park Railway #2		150	Sheltered  Close by: Lumbermen's Arch, Miniature Train, Vancouver Aquarium, and playground  No inflatables allowed Shares site with Stanley Park Railway #1 No food trucks permitted Kitchen available upon request. Amenities include: shared counter (no cooking appliances or fridge available), 2 electrical outlets, cold water	Residential: $249 Corporate: $747
  Stanley Park Second Beach		150	Sheltered Permitted tables are under the gazebo Close by: public playground, pitch & putt, outdoor pool, washrooms, accessible pay parking stalls No inflatables allowed No food trucks permitted Kitchen available upon request. Amenities include: counter with 3 cold water sinks (no cooking appliances or fridge available), 4 electrical outlets (15 amp only)	Residential: $249 Corporate: $747

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  Reserving a picnic site

  Picnic reservation requests must be made 5 or more business days in advance (those made with less than 5 days notice will not be processed).

  To reserve a picnic site and get a permit, follow these 3 steps:

  1. Choose a time slot (these will display in the reservation request link below):
     • 9am to 3pm
     • 4pm to 9:30pm

       
       Information icon To reserve a timeframe outside of the two available slots, you must book and pay for both slots.

  2. Check the picnic site availability (this will display in the reservation request link below)  
  3. Visit the picnic reservation request page and follow the onscreen step-by-step instructions to request your reservation.

  Need some help? Download a step-by-step guide to reserving a picnic site PDF file (504 KB)

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  Changing or cancelling your booking

  If you need to cancel your permit or change the date after it's been confirmed, contact [email protected] at least 10 business days before your original picnic reservation date.

  Information icon Our office typically works regular business days, Monday to Friday.

  Cancellations

  • 2026: $31 + GST administration fee

  We refund the remaining amount after the fee is applied.

  Date changes

  • 2026: $31 + GST administration fee

  Information icon We can’t issue refunds for requests made within 10 business days of your original picnic reservation date.

  Information icon We do not provide refunds for bad weather.