Picnic Shelter Reservations | City of Bloomington, Indiana

Page last updated on January 7, 2026 at 4:12 pm

Reserving a picnic shelter in a City park

Check availability and rent a picnic shelter

For more information about how to rent a picnic shelter, or to check availability, send an email to Bloomington Parks and Recreation or call Bloomington Parks and Recreation at 812-349-3700.
Shelter reservations may be made in person, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at
Bloomington City Hall
401 N Morton St Suite 250
Bloomington, IN 47404
Picnic shelters are available for rental April 1 through October 31. Reservations are available year round on a first-come, first-served basis.
Shelter reservations cannot be made over the phone.
Shelter rental fees are per day, regardless of how long the shelter is actually used. Shelters are rented to only one party per day. Shelter rental times are from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.
"Weekday" rental rates are Monday-Thursday; "weekend" rental rates are Friday-Sunday.

Reservable Picnic Shelters

Reservable Picnic Shelters in City Parks
Park Location	Shelter Name and Capacity	Weekday Rate	Weekend Rate	Shelter Information & Reservation Link
Bryan Park	Woodlawn Shelter max. 72 people	$72	$87	Reserve Woodlawn Shelter in Bryan Park
Bryan Park	Henderson Shelter max. 30 people	$59	$62	Reserve Henderson Shelter in Bryan Park
Bryan Park	North Shelter max. 30 people	$59	$62	Reserve North Shelter in Bryan Park
Building Trades Park	Picnic Shelter max. 25 people	$30	$35	Reserve Shelter in Building Trades Park
Lower Cascades Park	Sycamore Shelter max. 75 people	$82	$97	Reserve Sycamore Shelter in Lower Cascades Park
Lower Cascades Park	Waterfall Shelter max. 75 people	$72	$87	Reserve Waterfall Shelter in Lower Cascades Park
Olcott Park	Howard Young Pavilion max. 60 people	$72	$87	Reserve Young Pavilion in Olcott Park
RCA Community Park	Group Shelter max. 72 people	$72	$87	Reserve Group Shelter in RCA Park
RCA Community Park	Small Shelter max. 30 people	$59	$62	Reserve Small Shelter in RCA Park
Upper Cascades Park	Lion's Den Shelter max. 99 people	$72	$87	Reserve the Lion's Den Shelter
Winslow Woods Park	Picnic Shelter max. 99 people	$67	$77	Reserve the Shelter in Winslow Woods Park

Reserve a picnic shelter in a city park

Shelter Reservation Policies

Refunds

Refunds will be permitted only if the Parks and Recreation Department is notified at least 14 days prior to the shelter reservation date. Refunds will not be issued for inclement weather.

Regulations Governing the Use of Shelters

Permission to reserve any facility or site owned by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department will be granted only where the function can be reasonably accommodated by the park system and such use will not unduly interfere with the rights of the general public and will not present a clear and present danger to the public health and safety of the community.
The possession of alcoholic beverages, drugs and other illegal controlled substances, fireworks, air rifles, paintball guns, bow and arrows, crossbows, swords, and pellet guns is strictly prohibited in any park or park facility. Pursuant to Bloomington Municipal Code 14.20.020, the discharge of a firearm is strictly prohibited within the City's jurisdiction.
Amplified music, or the promotion or sale of any article is expressly prohibited without a Special Event Permit. How to apply for a Special Use Permit to hold an event in a city park.
Violations of park rules may result in the group being required to vacate the premises without refund of the shelter use fee.
It is strongly recommended that groups investigate the furnishings and amenities (lights, electrical outlets, tables, benches, grills, restroom facilities) provided at the shelter prior to reservation and use.
Groups are expected to provide their own setup and to leave the shelter and area free of litter and debris. Additional cleanup of the area required by park personnel will be billed to the user at a rate of $25/hour plus costs related to damage or vandalism.

Calendar

Jan 9

General Admission Public Ice Skating at Frank Southern Ice Arena

Friday - 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S Henderson St, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA

Click to view this Event

Jan 10

General Admission Public Ice Skating at Frank Southern Ice Arena

Saturday - 8:45pm - 11:45pm

Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S Henderson St, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA

Click to view this Event

Jan 11

General Admission Public Ice Skating at Frank Southern Ice Arena

Sunday - 1:45pm - 3:00pm

Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S Henderson St, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA

Click to view this Event

Visit Full Calendar

Reserving a picnic shelter in a City park

Check availability and rent a picnic shelter

Reservable Picnic Shelters

General Admission Public Ice Skating at Frank Southern Ice Arena

General Admission Public Ice Skating at Frank Southern Ice Arena

General Admission Public Ice Skating at Frank Southern Ice Arena

Other picnic shelters in City parks

There are picnic shelters in these parks, but they cannot be reserved or rented. Use of the shelters below is on a first-come, first-served basis.