--- title: "Booking Prince George parks, fields, gyms and arenas" description: "How to book a Prince George park, sports field, school gym, arena or pool, what insurance you need and how special event permits work." url: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/ markdown: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings.md site: PG Pulse (https://princegeorgepulse.ca), The pulse of Prince George, British Columbia generated: 2026-10-16T16:08:26.515Z --- # Parks, trails and booking City spaces How to book a Prince George park, sports field, school gym, arena or pool, what insurance you need and how special event permits work. Updated September 30, 2026 ![A wooden picnic gazebo on the lawn at Paddlewheel Park beside the Nechako River in Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/wooden-picnic-gazebo-lawn-paddlewheel-park-beside-nechako-9e9b88-1280.webp) Photo: CindyBo, public domain via Wikimedia Commons ## At a glance - Parks are open to everyone. Booking isn’t required but can reserve a spot for a private event. - Anyone booking City property needs at least $5 million in commercial general liability insurance. - Events in any City-owned public space need a Special Event Permit. Applying is free, but service costs may apply. - Amplified sound needs a noise permit. Alcohol, smoking and vaping are not allowed in City parks. - Many ball diamonds and fields are leased to sports groups. Book those through the group directly. Prince George has a large network of parks, nature areas and trails, plus arenas, fields and halls the public can rent. This guide explains how to book them, and highlights places worth knowing. ## Booking at a glance | What you want | How to book | | --- | --- | | Picnic spot or park for a private event | Park booking request form, or email [parksandrec@princegeorge.ca](mailto:parksandrec@princegeorge.ca) | | Sports field or ball diamond | Same form, unless a sports group leases it (see below) | | School gym or field (community use) | Same form; City and SD57 shared-use agreement | | City arena or Exhibition Park | Online arena booking system | | CN Centre | Through the CN Centre directly | | Pool rental or group booking | City aquatics rentals page | | Parade, festival, tournament or public event | Special Event Permit | You can also call **311** and ask for Parks and Recreation Services. ## Insurance: the step people forget Anyone booking City property needs **at least $5 million in commercial general liability insurance**, with a standard insurance certificate as proof. For **school** bookings, the City **and** School District 57 must both be named as additional insureds. You can use any insurer or buy short-term event coverage online through the City’s insurance partner. The insurance covers claims arising from things you control, like your equipment, structures and activities. If something goes wrong and you’re uninsured, you can be held responsible. ## Parks Parks are **always open to the public**. Booking is optional. It reserves a spot at a popular park for things like birthdays, graduations, weddings and reunions. The City doesn’t supervise outdoor bookings. ### Park rules - **No alcohol, smoking, vaping or drugs.** - **Propane barbecues are allowed**, but not directly on tables or structures. - **No pets on sports fields or playgrounds.** Dogs are allowed in designated on-leash and off-leash parks. - **No vehicles** on grass or fields. Park in the lots. - **No staking tents or equipment** into the ground. - **Amplified sound** (large speakers) needs a **noise permit**. Small portable speakers don’t. - Caterers may serve your guests but can’t advertise or sell to the public. Report damage or vandalism to 311. ## Sports fields Many fields and diamonds are leased long-term to sports organizations. If the field you want is one of theirs, **book through the group**, not the City. The City lists these partners on its booking page. They include PG Youth Baseball (Rotary, Volunteer, Joe Martin, Harry Loder and Gyro parks), the PG Soccer Association and PG Youth Soccer Association (Exhibition Park fields), and several softball and fastball leagues. ## School gyms and fields Through a shared-use agreement, the City books **SD57 gyms and fields** for community recreation. Things to know: - Private one-time events and parties generally aren’t booked. - An SD57 custodian will be on site, and charges may apply. - Youth groups need adult supervision the whole time. - Wear clean, non-marking indoor shoes. No food or drink in gyms. - No pets, smoking, vaping, alcohol or drugs on school property. ## Arenas, halls and Exhibition Park City arenas (Kin Centre, Elksentre, Kopar Memorial) and **Exhibition Park** can be booked for hockey, trade shows, conventions and more through the City’s online booking system. Other City venues include the **Conference and Civic Centre**, **Prince George Playhouse** and **Studio 2880**. The **CN Centre** handles its own event bookings. See [recreation centres and pools](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/recreation-centres-and-pools/) for addresses. ## Special events If you’re hosting a parade, festival, tournament, run or other event in any City-owned public space, you need a **Special Event Permit (SEP)**. 1. Read the City’s **event planning guidelines**. 2. Apply for the SEP well in advance. There’s **no application fee**. 3. Budget for costs such as City services, bylaw staff, deposits and equipment. 4. Arrange insurance, and a noise permit if you’re using amplified sound. 5. If your event affects traffic, you may also need a **road closure** or traffic disruption notice. Non-profit groups get **subsidized rates** for parks, fields, schools, arenas and pools. ## Parks and places to explore The City maintains well over a hundred parks, from neighbourhood playgrounds to large nature parks. A few favourites: - **Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.** The city’s premier park at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako rivers, on the site of a former Lheidli T’enneh village. It has a pavilion, a playground and riverside trails. - **Cottonwood Island Nature Park.** Riverside trails through old cottonwood forest. - **Forests for the World.** Trails, lakes and viewpoints on Cranbrook Hill. - **Connaught Hill Park.** A downtown lookout with city views. - **Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve** and **Hudson’s Bay Wetland.** Good for birding. - **Heritage River Trail System.** Connects parks along the rivers. - **Moore’s Meadow** and **Ginter’s Meadow.** Meadows with off-leash areas. The City’s parks and trails directory has a page for each park, with maps and amenities. It also lists **parks washrooms**, **playgrounds** and **pet-friendly parks**. Regional parks outside city limits are run by the Regional District (see [regional district](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/civic/regional-district/)), and provincial parks by **BC Parks**. ![Two walkers on the trail at LC Gunn Park looking over the trees and the Fraser River valley toward Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/two-walkers-trail-lc-gunn-park-looking-over-efe0aa-1280.webp) The view from LC Gunn Park, one of the City's parks along the edge of the bowl. Photo: CPG1100, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons ## Community associations Neighbourhood **community associations** run outdoor rinks, programs and local events, often in City parks. The City supports them and lists contacts on its community associations page. Related: [recreation centres and pools](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/recreation-centres-and-pools/), [bylaws and animal control](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/bylaws-and-animal-control/), [permits and licences](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/permits-and-licences/). ## Common questions **Do I need to book a park for a birthday party in Prince George?** No. Parks are always open to the public. Booking is optional and simply reserves a spot at a popular park for events like birthdays, reunions or weddings. The City doesn’t monitor outdoor bookings. **What insurance do I need to book City property?** At least $5 million in commercial general liability insurance, with a standard certificate as proof. For school bookings, both the City and School District 57 must be named as additional insureds. You can buy event coverage online through the City’s insurance partner. **Can I drink alcohol in Prince George parks?** No. Alcohol, smoking, vaping and drugs aren’t allowed in City parks or on sports fields. Propane barbecues are allowed, but not directly on picnic tables. **How do I get a Special Event Permit?** Review the City’s event guidelines, then submit the Special Event Permit application. There’s no application fee, but City services, deposits, bylaws and other event costs may apply. You need a permit for any event in a City-owned public space. **Can I book a school gym for a private party?** Generally no. The City books SD57 gyms and fields for community recreation under a shared-use agreement, but not usually for private one-time events or parties. ## Sources - [City of Prince George: Book a Park, School, Sport Field, Arena or Pool](https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/book-park-school-arena-or-field) - [City of Prince George: Parks & Trails](https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails) - [City of Prince George: Our Civic Facilities](https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/our-civic-facilities) ## Official links - [Book a park, field, school, arena or pool](https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/book-park-school-arena-or-field) - [Park, sports field and school booking request](https://www.princegeorge.ca/city-services/permits-applications/parks-sports-fields-outdoor-facilities-and-school-bookings) - [Special Event Permit application](https://www.princegeorge.ca/city-services/permits-applications/special-events-permit-application) - [Book a City arena](https://princegeorge.ungerboeck.net/prod/app/embedded-oar.html?CC=4) - [Event insurance (online)](https://princegeorge.instantriskcoverage.com/login) - [Noise permit application](https://www.princegeorge.ca/city-services/permits-applications/noise-permit-application) - [Parks and trails directory](https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails) ## On this page - [Booking at a glance](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/#booking-at-a-glance) - [Insurance: the step people forget](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/#insurance-the-step-people-forget) - [Parks](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/#parks) - [Sports fields](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/#sports-fields) - [School gyms and fields](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/#school-gyms-and-fields) - [Arenas, halls and Exhibition Park](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/#arenas-halls-and-exhibition-park) - [Special events](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/#special-events) - [Parks and places to explore](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/#parks-and-places-to-explore) - [Community associations](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/#community-associations) ## More in city services - [Moving to Prince George: a new resident checklist A checklist for settling into Prince George: utilities, garbage day, alerts, MSP and a family doctor, ICBC, voting, schools and winter readiness.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/moving-to-prince-george/) - [Garbage, recycling and the landfill How curbside garbage and recycling work in Prince George: cart sizes and costs, set-out times, bear rules and where to take what the cart won’t.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/garbage-and-recycling/) - [Water, sewer and sprinkling rules Where Prince George tap water comes from, year-round sprinkling rules, frozen pipes, leaks, water meters and what not to flush.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/water-and-sewer/) - [Property taxes and utility bills Prince George property tax and utility due dates, how to pay, the home owner grant, MyCity accounts, utility rates and what if you fall behind.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/property-taxes-and-utilities/) - [Snow clearing, winter parking and roads How Prince George plows its streets, when your road gets cleared, winter parking rules, spring sweeping, road closures and reporting potholes.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/snow-and-roads/) - [Getting around by bus A practical guide to Prince George Transit: fares, Umo, passes, handyDART, free-ride days, trip planning and service alerts.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/transit/) ## Data Machine-readable data behind this page, from the free PG Pulse API (https://princegeorgepulse.ca/developers/). ### Guide facts, FAQ and sources Source: [PG Pulse guides (plain-language guides with links to official sources)](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/). Licence: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Updated 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z. JSON: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/api/v1/guides/city/parks-and-facility-bookings?fields=summary,faq,officialLinks,sources,updated - **summary**: Parks are open to everyone. Booking isn’t required but can reserve a spot for a private event., Anyone booking City property needs at least $5 million in commercial general liability insurance., Events in any City-owned public space need a Special Event Permit. Applying is free, but service costs may apply., Amplified sound needs a noise permit. Alcohol, smoking and vaping are not allowed in City parks., Many ball diamonds and fields are leased to sports groups. Book those through the group directly. - **updated**: 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z #### faq | q | a | | --- | --- | | Do I need to book a park for a birthday party in Prince George? | No. Parks are always open to the public. Booking is optional and simply reserves a spot at a popular park for events like birthdays, reunions or weddings. The … | | What insurance do I need to book City property? | At least $5 million in commercial general liability insurance, with a standard certificate as proof. For school bookings, both the City and School District 57 … | | Can I drink alcohol in Prince George parks? | No. Alcohol, smoking, vaping and drugs aren’t allowed in City parks or on sports fields. Propane barbecues are allowed, but not directly on picnic tables. | | How do I get a Special Event Permit? | Review the City’s event guidelines, then submit the Special Event Permit application. There’s no application fee, but City services, deposits, bylaws and other… | | Can I book a school gym for a private party? | Generally no. The City books SD57 gyms and fields for community recreation under a shared-use agreement, but not usually for private one-time events or parties. | #### officialLinks | label | url | | --- | --- | | Book a park, field, school, arena or pool | https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/book-park-school-arena-or-field | | Park, sports field and school booking request | https://www.princegeorge.ca/city-services/permits-applications/parks-sports-fields-outdoor-facilities-and-school-bookings | | Special Event Permit application | https://www.princegeorge.ca/city-services/permits-applications/special-events-permit-application | | Book a City arena | https://princegeorge.ungerboeck.net/prod/app/embedded-oar.html?CC=4 | | Event insurance (online) | https://princegeorge.instantriskcoverage.com/login | | Noise permit application | https://www.princegeorge.ca/city-services/permits-applications/noise-permit-application | | Parks and trails directory | https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails | #### sources | title | url | | --- | --- | | City of Prince George: Book a Park, School, Sport Field, Arena or Pool | https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/book-park-school-arena-or-field | | City of Prince George: Parks & Trails | https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails | | City of Prince George: Our Civic Facilities | https://www.princegeorge.ca/parks-recreation/our-civic-facilities | --- Markdown version of https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parks-and-facility-bookings/. Guide for AI agents: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/llms.txt. Free API: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/developers/