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General Rental Information

Alcohol Permits

If you want to have alcohol at a Bismarck Parks and Recreation District park or facility (where it’s allowed), you need to get a permit. You can pick one up at the BPRD office at 400 E. Front Ave. You must be at least 21 years old to get a permit.

If you’re reserving a shelter or meeting room, you can request an alcohol permit during the reservation process.

  • Group/Event Permit – $30
    This permit lets you and your group bring alcohol to a specific BPRD park or facility on a specific date. It can only be used once.
  • Individual Permit – $15
    This permit lets you (the buyer) bring alcohol to a BPRD park or facility, where it’s allowed. It’s valid for that person only, from the day you buy it through December 31 of that year.
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Events in Parks

With dozens of parks and a variety of indoor spaces, BPRD has options for public and private events. BPRD issues permission for a variety of public events ranging from charity fun runs to community gatherings. 

All events – public or private – that include inflatables or tents, food trucks, music, extra picnic tables or restrooms, trail use, weddings, or other special requests require BPRD permission.

Runs or Walks

  • You are responsible for the race route, from where you want to start, turn around, and finish to where you want water stations and volunteers. Community buildings and outdoor shelters work well as registration or organizing sites.
  • If you want to use a city street for your event, contact the Bismarck Police Department at 701-223-1212 for their approval.
  • Please do not use spray paint on the trails. Sidewalk chalk is the preferred option. See our Signage and Marking Guidelines.

Availability and Permission Steps: Community Buildings and Outdoor Shelters

  1. Review the event planning tips below.
  2. After you determine potential dates and locations for your event, you can reserve shelters and community buildings online. For assistance, call 701-222-6455 or visit the BPRD office, 400 E. Front Ave.
  3. After reserving the space, you will receive an email response from BPRD either granting or denying permission for any events or special requests.

Other Event Locations

For information on other BPRD options, call the number above or view our list of available spaces.

Event Planning Tips

Location and Date

  • Securing a location and date well in advance of your event helps BPRD minimize possible conflicts with other events that may limit parking and restroom availability for everyone.
  • Details about reservable spaces are listed on this website. It may be helpful to visit a location in advance to determine if it will meet your needs.
  • BPRD parks will remain open to the public during your event.

Details for Consideration

  • Alcohol: If you have alcohol at your event, you must purchase an alcoholic beverage permit from BPRD. If you use a caterer or other establishment that serves alcohol, they will also need a Special Event Permit from the City of Bismarck.
  • Cleanup: Please do your best to keep all litter in trash cans and remove any decorations or other items that you brought to the park or facility.
  • Directions: Let participants know where to find your event by including detailed directions to your location. For example, say “Lions Park, Shelter #2,” not just “Lions Park.”
  • Food Trucks: Generally, only one food truck is allowed. It must remain on the asphalt and provide its own source of power. Parking spaces and the parking lot cannot be reserved for the truck. All garbage must be properly disposed after the event. Food preparation waste (grease or otherwise) cannot be left in BPRD trash containers or on BPRD property.
  • Music: Music is generally allowed in parks if it does not exceed the City of Bismarck noise ordinance. Small speakers for making announcements or playing music are generally acceptable if it is not disruptive to other park users. A noise permit may be required from the City of Bismarck for major concerts or other events with amplified sound. Contact the City’s Environmental Health Division with any questions.
  • Restrooms: Most parks, but not all, have permanent or portable restrooms. Depending on the number of people at your event, you may need to rent portable restrooms at your cost.
  • Tents and Inflatables: If you have written permission from BPRD for a tent or inflatable in a park, they generally must be secured with sandbags. If you have written permission from BPRD to use stakes, you are responsible for contacting North Dakota One Call (ndonecall.com, 1-800-795-0555 or 811) to locate buried public utilities such as gas or electric lines, telecommunication cables, etc. Calls must be made a minimum of two days in advance. Please be aware:
    • Pounding metal, plastic, or wood stakes into the ground can cause damage to buried underground utilities and present a danger to you and others.
    • Parks contain a variety of underground utilities ranging from sprinkler lines to electrical lines and natural gas lines.
    • If you plan on pounding stakes to support a tent or inflatable device and you strike and damage a buried utility, you will be responsible for all costs involved in repairing the damage.
    • Most, but not all, buried utilities can be located. An electrician can locate buried electrical cable, but buried sprinkler piping can’t be located in most cases, although the sprinkler heads can be found.
    • Often private utilities such as sprinkler lines and wires are less than one foot below the surface. Below ground electrical lines are often shallow, too.
  • Trash Containers: Each park, community building, and picnic shelter has trash cans to handle day-to-day trash. Containers on site may not be large enough for big events. You can rent additional trash cans from BPRD by calling 701-222-6464. You can also hire a local vendor to provide dumpsters for your event.