Event Permits for City Parks and Mobile Stage Rental

Accessible and Inclusive Events Checklist

Adapted from the University of Michigan's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Accessible and Inclusive Events Checklist by the City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility

Park Special Use Permits

Park Special Use Permit Application

A Special Event Permit may be required if your gathering meets any of the following criteria:

• 100+ participants
• Advertising or marketing to the public
• Selling and/or distributing food, goods, or services to the public
• Charging admission or similar fees to the public
• Use of temporary structures (such as tents, inflatables, porta-lets, etc.)
• Use of the one of the stages
• Amplified music
• Organized walk, run, or parades (may also require Parade Permit depending upon route)
• Requests for exclusive use of locations normally intended for first-come, first-served public activities (such as pickleball courts, skate park, etc.)
• Requests for exclusive use of locations not normally accessible by the public

Permits are separated into Large Event and Small Event.  The permit process can take from three to five weeks to process. If the permit is approved the organizer will receive a Letter of Approval and an Invoice. Additionally, the organizer will need to provide a Certificate of Event Liability Insurance listing the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation and the renter as additional insured. No event marketing should occur before permit approval.

For more information about the Park Special Use Permit, contact or send application to Hsiung Marler, Recreation Facilities General Manager, 812-349-3961.

Park Special Use Permit Guide

Park Special Use Permit Guide

The guide is meant as a companion to the permit process. It answers and offers tips to many of the questions on the Park Special Use Permit and Noise Permit. It is a helpful tool for people planning an event. 

For more information about the Park Special Use Permit application or guide, contact or send application to Hsiung Marler, Recreation Facilities General Manager, 812-349-3961.

Events in Peoples Park 

Peoples Park Use Application

Events at Peoples Park may not require a Park Special Use Permit.  Fill out a Peoples Park Use Application for organized activities in Peoples Park.

Contact for information or send application to Crystal Ritter, ritterc@bloomington.in.gov.

Fitness, Music, Art, Dance, Sports, Dog Obedience, and Other Class Permits

Hourly Park Permit Application

Instructors of classes, or personal trainers who charge clients a fee for their activities, must obtain an hourly park use permit to hold those classes in city parks. The Hourly Park Use Permit provides guidance for hourly use of park spaces. For more information, contact Shelby Drake, Health and Wellness Coordinator, at 812-349-3771 or shelby.drake@bloomington.in.gov.

Mobile Stage Rental

Mobile Stage Rental Application

Groups may apply to rent Bloomington Parks and Recreation's mobile stage for big performances within the City of Bloomington city limits. The mobile stage site must have access to electricity. Stage rental fees are based on a per-day rate, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The mobile stage may be transported only by City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation personnel. A refundable deposit is required.

Contact for information or send application to Crystal Ritter, ritterc@bloomington.in.gov.
 

Noise Permits

Noise Permit Application

If the event on Park Property includes amplified sound or music it may require a Noise Permit.  

Contact for information or send application to Hsiung Marler, Recreation Facilities General Manager, 812-349-3961 or marlerh@bloomington.in.gov.

Permits for Filming on City Parks and Recreation Properties

Filming Permit Application

It is the policy of the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department to allow filming and photography when it is consistent with the protection and public enjoyment of city resources and does not interfere with the public's normal use and enjoyment of the park.

There is no cost to obtain a filming permit, and filming permits are good for the duration of the project for which they are approved.

Special permission is required if the filming, video taping, sound recording, or still photography:

• involves taking photographs for the purpose of commercial advertising
• could result in damage to park resources
• could result in significant disruption of normal visitor use
• requires access to areas normally closed to the visiting public

For a complete list of activities prohibited in city parks, see the Filming Permit Application. For more information about obtaining a filming permit, contact Julie Ramey, Community Relations Manager, at 812-349-3719 or rameyj@bloomington.in.gov.

Permit for Research or Scientific Study
Research and Collecting Policy for City Parks

A Scientific Study and Research Permit is required for research and/or collection activities on Bloomington Parks and Recreation (BPRD) properties. By requiring permits, Parks and Recreation can:

1. monitor research being conducted on BPRD property
2. prevent duplication of research
3. meet the management requirements of the state dedicated nature preserves on BPRD property
4. further expand our scientific knowledge by requiring copies of the research results, and
5. protect park sites

Requests to conduct research and/or collecting on BPR property must be submitted to: Bloomington Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources Program, P. O. Box 848, Bloomington, IN 47402 or sent via email.

Enabling Statutes

• Bloomington Municipal Code Chapter 11.08, Griffy Lake
• Endangered Species Act
• Indiana Nature Preserve Act
• Department of Natural Resources Property Regulations

Permit Requirements

• Bloomington Parks and Recreation Scientific Study and Research Permit
  A research permit signed by BPRD is required of anyone who wishes to collect scientific data, flora, fauna, or geological specimens on lands owned or managed by BPRD. All research requests require this permit. Scientific study and research period is not to exceed one year. Contact Bloomington Parks and Recreation to discuss long-term research projects.
• Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves signature
  Research on state dedicated Griffy Woods Nature Preserve requires permission from the Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves. Research and Collecting Permits for State Dedicated Nature Preserves
• Indiana Scientific Collector's License
  Any request involving the taking or harassment of vertebrate animals as well as crustaceans and mollusks on BPRD property also requires a separate Scientific Collectors/Purposes License from the Indiana DNR Dvision of Fish and Wildlife. If collecting vertebrate animals, a signed copy of your Indiana Scientific Collectors/Purposes License must be included with your Scientific Study and Research Permit application. Scientific Collectors/Purposes License

How to apply for a BPRD Scientific Study and Research Permit

A detailed explanation of the proposed research must include:

• Submit to BPR a 7.5 USGS Quadrangle showing the locations of any installed equipment following their placement.
• description of activities
• project objectives
• methods and procedures to be followed
• duration of the project
• areas to be visited (include a map)
• anticipated disturbances to the site
• species or objects to be collected
• number of specimens taken
• method of taking
• disposition of specimens

Once the permit application is reviewed and approved by BPRD staff, the applicant will receive a signed copy of the permit.

Follow Up

A written report is required following the research and should be submitted to BPRD within one year after the permit expires. To minimize possible negative impacts, publication resulting from a research study must not reveal information about rare species and their locations without permission from BPRD.

BPRD considers each application based on previous and current work on the site, to avoid duplication of effort and cumulative impacts. Applications are considered based on the prospective gain in terms of scientific value, and benefits to the site. If the applicant has a history of approved permits, but has not submitted the required study results or has been negligent in conducting the research, no additional permits will be issued to that applicant.

Collection of species already documents on the site is no permitted unless specifically required by the research. If collecting a previously document species, or species listed as endangered, threatened, or rare is permitted, BPRD reserves the right to place restrictions on collections.

Collecting unique or uncommon geological specimens is not permitted.

For more information on applying for a permit to conduct scientific research or studies of flora and fauna in city parks or on city park properties, contact Heidi Shoemaker, Natural Resources Coordinator.