Park Use Rules, Requirements and Permits
The following items and activities are prohibited in city parks:
- Glass containers
- Vehicles on grass
- Staking of tents (blocks, sandbags, and water-filled barrels only)
- Pony rides
- Fireworks
- Any additional items/activities prohibited by the Park Ordinance or other law
Read the City of Albuquerque's Park Ordinance
Park Use Requirements
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The City of Albuquerque does not provide supplemental restrooms for private events. Existing Park restrooms are available for use, but supplemental restrooms may be required depending on the size and nature of an event/activity. Contributions toward cleaning and/or stocking restrooms, depending on the event size and type.
- Portable restrooms must be placed on dirt or concrete (park permit required).
- Parks must be left clean and trash associated must be hauled away.
- Only gas or propane grills are allowed in parks. If a grill(s) is used, a fire extinguisher(s) is required. Use of grills and other restrictions are determined by the Fire Marshall's Office.
- Insurance is required for events of 100 persons or more. Parks and Recreation staff reserve the decision-making authority to determine if an event should also carry insurance due to the nature of the event.
Park Permitting
Albuquerque's parks are open to everyone. Parks are for public use during posted park hours and the public is not generally required to obtain a permit to use a park. Most parks and their facilities are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
However, in some cases an approved Park Use Permit is required in advance for some types of uses and events. In order to determine whether a Park Use Permit is required for your event, please review the Conditions that Require a Park Use Permit. If required, apply online for a Park Use Permit (see Park Use Permit Application button below). Parks and Recreation staff are available to help you through this process so that you can effectively plan ahead and enjoy our wonderful City parks!
Conditions That Require a Park Use Permit
- Groups over 50 persons and/or events that may attract over 50 persons
- Events and activities that may exceed available parking on-site and/or create significant impacts on the adjacent neighborhood.
- Events and gatherings that want to use a park facility or a substantial portion of a park for an extended period of time (2 hours or more)
- Inflatable "fun jumps" or "bouncer houses"
- View information about inflatable jumpers.
- To report unauthorized usage of inflatable jumpers, call 505-242-COPS (242-2677).
- Tents, canopies, stands or stages (ground stakes prohibited)
- Live music, bands, or amplification systems
- Serving or selling food to the public
- Vending in parks
- Advertised events to the general public via social, print, or broadcast media
- Events involving street barricading
- Events with portable restrooms
- Organized group recreation (e.g. competitions, tournaments, regular/repeated play); contact the Sports Office at 505-224-6682
- Organized group physical activities (e.g. fitness training, workshops, classes)
- Activities and events for which a fee may be charged
- Unless a listed Condition exists, a Park Use Permit is not required for normal park visitation by individuals or in small numbers/small groups, for events or activities that have no specific activity, for “passive” uses of parks that do not use or occupy park facilities/amenities in a manner that would displace others from using the park or park amenity.
- NOTE:
- Approval of a Park Use Permit will not grant or ensure exclusive use of a park, park facility, or park amenity, unless specified. More than one Park Use Permit may be approved for the same park on the same day or time period if the permitted activities can reasonably take place concurrently without substantial disruption. Parks and Recreation staff reserve the decision-making authority to determine whether a proposed event or activity will unreasonably conflict with another permitted activity or park use.
- The Administration may give priority to special events sponsored by the city. The Administration may give priority to annual, semiannual, or other regularly scheduled or recurring special events. In deciding priority, the Administration may consider applicant compliance and previous special events.
- Some park uses, such as uses by organized athletic teams and leagues, should not apply for a Park Use Permit but should instead obtain Field Use Agreements from the Parks and Recreation Sports Office, 505-224-6682.
An approved Park Use Permit represents an authorization for an event or activity that may require such approval, not an authorization to use a park, which is open to the general public during posted hours. Approval of a Park Use Permit may not grant or ensure exclusive use of a park, park facility, or park amenity, unless specified. Park Permit must be on hand during event.
Before submitting the Park Use Permit Application, please consider the following:
- Can your park selection accommodate parking for your attendees? If you are having an event of 300 people or more, a park with a parking lot available should be considered. Parks with larger parking lots include the following:
- Manzano Mesa Park
- Mariposa Basin Park
- North Domingo Baca Park
- Tower Pond Park
- USS Bullhead Memorial Park
- Ventana Ranch Park
- The Park Use Permit Application requires a site plan for your event. A preferred site plan is an aerial of your preferred park indicating all amenities you have planned for your event. See sample site plans.
The Park Management Division requires two weeks notice to process a Park Use Permit. It may take up to two weeks to review and receive approval for your proposed park usage. If your event is less than two weeks away from your date of submittal your request will be denied*. Please provide at least two weeks prior to submitting any inquiries into approval status.
* Processing times may be expedited for time-sensitive events involving the exercise of public issue speech.
Other popular City facilities can be reserved or used but are not covered in the online PRD Park Use Permit process. The following outdoor areas can only be reserved outside of the Park Use Permit process:
Park Permitting contact information
See below for reserving the following areas/facilities:
- Fields and Facilities for organized sports, such as soccer, baseball, softball, kickball, lacrosse, rugby, and football. Call the PRD Sports Office at 505-224-6682
- Swimming pools
- Open Space reserve areas and facilities
- Community Center (Department of Youth and Family Services), Senior Centers and Multi-Generational Centers (Department of Senior Affairs)
- Tingley Beach, Balloon Museum, Albuquerque Museum, (Cultural Affairs Department)