The City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver are pleased to offer local businesses and non-profit organizations the opportunity to book space in parks to operate programs. Please note that this is a pilot program that is based on a case-by-case review.

We are currently accepting applications on a first-come, first served basis for dates up to and including December 31st, 2024.  Applications must be submitted a minimum of three weeks in advance of the first date requested.

Permit applications include a maximum of 3 bookings per week for a single applicant. Each booking is made up of a maximum 2-hour block. This 2-hour block includes all set-up and take down and cannot be booked back-to-back. Parks, time-blocks and date options in the City of North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver are listed below.

For more details on how to apply, please read the application process document.

To apply, download and complete the temporary park use permit application.

City of North Vancouver parks

District of North Vancouver parks

Self-serve picnic shelter rentals (requiring approval) can now be completed through our online booking portal. If you’re looking to book a picnic shelter on behalf of a company or organization, or are wanting to book a small wedding in a North Vancouver Park, use our online Picnic & Wedding Ceremony Application form to request a booking to hold a picnic or small wedding in a North Vancouver Park. If you have any questions, call our park and field booking office at 604-983-6318 or email.

Picnics may be booked at several North Vancouver picnic shelters.  Picnic shelters can be booked in three-hour blocks. Bookings must be made in advance of your picnic and rental requests (requiring approval) for personal/family gatherings can be made online. To book a picnic shelter for personal/family use, visit our online booking portal. To book a picnic shelter on behalf of a company or organization, please complete the online application form or call 604-983-6318.

Picnics may also be booked at many other North Vancouver parks.  All organized groups such as associations, school groups, clubs, societies and church groups are required to obtain a Park Use Permit.  Casual users may be required to obtain a Park Use Permit should they wish to access park amenities not accessible to the public.

Small wedding ceremonies may be permitted with special permission, provided the ceremony DOES NOT include the following:

• Decorations, rice, confetti, balloons
• Amplified sound
• Props, tents or chairs (a small number of chairs are permitted for guests with mobility issues)

Park, Plaza, and Trail Event Applications for 2023 are now closed. To host an event in 2024, please submit an online application between October 31, 2023 – January 31, 2024. Early and late applications for 2024 will not be accepted.

To book the Shipyards, the Pipe Shop, Goldsworthy Gazebo and Civic Plaza, please visit the City of North Vancouver's website.

Please note that several City of North Vancouver Parks are no longer available for event bookings due to their designation for alcohol consumption: 

• Kingsmill Walk Park
• Mahon Park
• Ray Perrault Park
• Victoria Park
• Waterfront Park

For more information please visit cnv.org.

Event applications in District of North Vancouver parks may be limited. For park locations with alcohol consumption designations please visit dnv.org. 

As part of the community and trail event permit process, all event organizers are required to provide:

• Insurance with a minimum of $5 million liability, and listing the City of North Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver, the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission and North Vancouver School District #44 as additional insured’s. Further additional insured’s may be required depending on event location. In addition, an increase in liability coverage may be required depending on the proposed event activities.
• A Waste Management Plan that includes zero waste management and recycling plan. View the Guide to Creating a Zero Waste Event
• Parking and Traffic Control Plan
• Event Emergency Plan and site map

Additional Permits

Additional permits may be required if your event involves activities deemed high risk, cross municipalities or departments (such as streets). 

Alcohol Service at Events - Where alcohol services have been approved at a community event (through the Community Event Allocation Process, and determined to be integral to the event, provide benefit to a registered not-for-profit society, and approved at an eligible park location) applicants are required to complete the municipal alcohol service request process. This process is required as part of landowner permissions prior to obtaining a BC Liquor Control Licensing Branch Permit. 

Street Use - Where streets crossed, or parking lots/ streets blocked during your event you must apply for a Street Use Permit. You may be required to provide traffic control personnel for your event duration, or pay signage fees. 

Cross Jurisdictions- where your events cross municipal boundaries, onto private lands or public lands not owned by the municipalities, you must obtain permission prior to receiving your municipal permits.

Questions? Please contact NVRC Community Events via email.

Plaza Bookings

To apply to book Lynn Valley Village Plaza, please contact Community Events via email.

To apply to book City of North Vancouver Plazas, including Shipbuilder's Square, the Pipe Shop and Civic Plaza, please visit the City's website.

Together, let's keep our parks clean and safe by following these guidelines:

• Park Use Permits must be obtained for any organized groups in order to hold their picnic, gathering, celebration or event in a park.

• Park bookings do not provide exclusive use of a park. Free public assess must be maintained. 

• Alcohol consumption is prohibited in public parks in North Vancouver unless a municipal permit has been issued and is displayed on site.

• BBQ use may be restricted dependent on the season and current environmental conditions.  Gas and propane barbecues are allowed in off-field areas except in high to extreme fire conditions.  Whenever possible, cook on concrete pads or gravel and away from dry grass and fire-prone areas.  Do not cook over grass or wood structures. 

• Bouncy castles or inflatable devices are prohibited in parks without special permission and requirements.

• Dogs are not allowed on sports fields, playgrounds or picnic areas at any time.  Visit dog-friendly parks in the DNV and CNV.  Some locations offer off-leash areas.

• Food vending and food services (including food trucks) are not permitted without special permission and requirements.

• Garbage and recycling must be placed in appropriate containers or taken home.  Store any garbage you cannot dispose of immediately in a sealed container.  Be bear aware!  Don’t leave garbage outside of park garbage bins. 

• Grey water, from preparing food or washing up, is to be carefully disposed of and not poured into storm grates.  The majority of our storm grates empty into local streams and grey water would result in the pollution of them.  The dumping of ice, excess juice, water or food on the grass is forbidden, and may attract wildlife.

• Noise from public address (PA) systems or loud speakers is not permitted in parks without receiving special permission and a relaxation of the noise bylaws enacted by Mayor and Council. 

• Parking on grass areas, within parks, is strictly prohibited.

• Parks are smoke free (DNV Bylaw #7792; CNV Bylaw #7026).

• North Vancouver trails are valued by residents and visitors alike and it is important to preserve them. The use of trails for an event or organized group must be approved by Parks Department staff. Please see community and trail events above for the application process.

• Water is a precious resource so do your best to conserve it.  Make sure taps are turned off after using outdoor park showers or water fill-up stations.