Commercial Activities

Please note that commercial activities are not allowed within any municipal park wihtout an authorized permit.

The municipal park ordinances specify that any commercial activity in parks requires a special permit from the Agency. Commercial activities involve, but are not limited to, selling goods or services to the public, or holding private classes or activities in the parks where participants register with a third-party. Commercial activities are prohibited in all parks, except as specifically permitted by the Director of Parks & Recreation or the municipality that owns the park. In the case of the two public swimming pools, the Centre Region Parks & Recreation Authority must approve all requests for commercial activities. Organizers must apply at a minimum of 14-30 days in advance of the event to obtain the necessary approvals.

Examples of commercial activities:  food vendors parking at the parks selling food, health and fitness clubs holding fee-based programming within the parks, personal trainers hosting fee-based classes in the parks, etc.  If these activities are not permitted, facility schedules are not accurate for our Parks Maintenance Division and patrons with firm reservations can be interrupted by non-permitted drop-in programming.

If a commercial activity is found operating within a park without a permit, the Director of the Agency has the right to request that the vendor cease all activity immediately. Additional steps will be taken if that request is not heeded by the vendor.

Given the range of commercial activities, the Director is permitted to:
     A. issue permits for commercial or political uses that are compatible with municipal park operations and ordinances,
     B. require proof of insurance by the applicant,
     C. specify in writing all restrictions associated with the request,
     D. require periodic reports from applicants with regard to park activities,
     E. request a permit fee or recommended donation to the Gifts-For-Parks program to cover the issuance of the Commercial Activity Permit (based upon the requested activity), and
     F. report periodically to the Authority on the Commercial Activity Permits issued.

The Authority authorizes the Director to continue with this approach as well as continue to have permit fees directed into the general operating budget to offset park expenses.

Those who wish to apply for a permit for commercial activities will need to do so directly with the Parks and Recreation Director and will need to provide the proper documentation to supplement a commercial activity permit application. To begin, an email should be sent summarizing the program, event, activity, to include as many details as possible.  The Director reserves the right to deny a commercial activity request. Additionally, these activities may require permits from the various municipalities in which the requested park(s) is located.

Commercial activities involve, but are not limited to, selling goods or services to the public, holding private classes or activities in the parks where participants register with a third-party, or political activities involving campaigning for votes, stumping, political speeches, candidate endorsements, or political fundraising. Commercial activities are prohibited in all parks, except as specifically permitted by the Director of Parks & Recreation or the elected officials of the municipality that owns the park. In the case of the two public swimming pools, the Centre Region Parks & Recreation Authority must approve all requests for commercial activities.

Fees to Participants

No private group may charge an entrance fee to visitors for admittance to public park property. Similarly, no parking fee may be charged.  For fundraisers, it is required to host registration in advance for a 5K for example.  However, donations may be requested from event participants, and donations may be requested for special services, products or events offered by the organizer (i.e., food, family or individual games).

Miscellaneous Items
  • The placement of all temporary structures and activity locations related to the event must be approved by CRPR staff.
  • The sponsor shall advise the municipal Police Department (for the park site) of all event details at least three (3) weeks prior to the event.
  • If the event involves any food services, municipal Health Department requirements may apply, and a pre-event Health Dept. inspection may be required. The sponsors should call the municipal Health Department for information at least three (3) weeks prior to the event.
  • The sponsor should make provisions for adequate first aid care at the park during the event.
  • All provisions of the municipal park ordinances apply to Special Events/Fundraisers.
  • Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited in all municipal parks.
  • Pets are prohibited in all Borough parks (exception: they are permitted on-leash at Lederer Park & Walnut Springs Park) and must be kept on a leash in all Township parks (except inside the Tudek Dog Park).
Third Party Vendors and/or Third-Party Rented Services/Equipment

Often, CRPR receives requests with pavilion rentals and special events and fundraisers for additional entertainment activities or rented equipment.  The following items are NOT permitted in any municipal- or regionally-owned park unless special permission is granted by the CRPR Director. 

  • Inflatables (ex.:  bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses)
  • Pony Rides
  • Third-Party Concessionaires
  • Party Equipment (ex.:  dunk tanks, basketball tosses, climbing walls)
  • Party Services (DJs, specialty vehicles, Bubble Football)
  • Generators
  • Food trucks
  • DJs

Items that are allowed to accompany events, rentals, or fundraisers:

  • Caterers who deliver food and set-up food serving lines; no on-site cooking is allowed and no food trucks.
  • Portable Gas Grills and they must be utilized outside of the pavilion (not under cover).  Most pavilions do have permanently-installed charcoal grills.
  • Ipods and Bluetooth Speakers (speakers cannot be larger than 8” high); music must be kept very low and should not be heard outside of the pavilion.