Special Event Rentals

Use of a Naperville Park District park or facility for a special event requires a Special Event Permit issued by the Park District.  Event organizers interested in conducting a special event must submit a Special Event Request Form to the Park District by the deadlines listed below. Submittal of an application does not constitute approval.

What is considered a ‘Special Event Rental’? 

To be considered a Special Event Rental, the event must fall within at least one of the Group/Organization Criteria and at least one of the Event Criteria below:   

  • Group/Organization Criteria:
    • The event is sponsored and/or organized by at least one of the following:  
      • An established nonprofit and/or a community group or organization that is in partnership with a registered nonprofit (i.e. 501c3 organization).
      • A government entity, intergovernmental partner, or community partner of the Naperville Park District (i.e. tax-exempt organization).
      • A public official (not for political purposes or campaigning).
  • Event Criteria:  
    • The event must meet at least one of the following:  
      • The event takes place within Naperville Park District properties and has requested multiple locations and/or dates.
      • The event purpose is to fundraise.
      • The event directly benefits Naperville residents.
      • The event is to be funded by a grant from the City of Naperville’s Special Events and Community Arts (SECA) fund. 
  • Community Impact:
    • The scope of the event, determined by the Naperville Park District, is anticipated to have a greater impact on the park/facility than a typical rental. 
Examples

Special events include, but are not limited to: walk-a-thons, road races, triathlons, parades, marches, rallies, assemblies, festivals, concerts, bicycle events, or fundraisers. Athletic tournaments must submit a Tournament Application, which can be found in the Naperville Park District Athletic Field/Facility Allocation and Usage Guide.

Other Possible Requirements

Special events that will utilize areas beyond Naperville Park District parks/facilities, and/or result in street closures, the closure of parking facilities, use of City-owned property, or require “No Parking, Tow Zones,” are also subject to the City of Naperville Special Event Permitting process. Additional information can be found at: www.naperville.il.us.

Special events must adhere to all Federal, State, County, City and Park District rules, regulations, and ordinances, including Naperville Park District Conduct Ordinance #641.

Special Event Permit Process

Returning Events

Returning Events are defined as events who have hosted an event within the last calendar year and are in good standing with the Naperville Park District.  

Returning Events will be able to request for the use of the same park/facility on the corresponding date(s) for the following calendar year. Any changes (date, location, time, scope) to the requested event must be approved by the Naperville Park District. Please note there is limited availability in 2025 for date or location changes.  

  • Monday, October 14, 2024: Email sent to Event Organizers with the link for the 2025 Special Event Rental Request Form.
  • Friday, November 1, 2024: All returning event request forms due.
  • Friday, November 29, 2024: If the event is approved, the Naperville Park District will reach out to Event Organizers via email with the next steps.
New Events 

Due to an increase in requests and the return of last year's events the availability in 2025 is limited. 

Consideration will be given to those requests based on the scope of the event, the requested location, date and time and the resources/support that is needed.

  • Monday, December 2, 2024: New Special Event Rental Request form opens.
    • Click HERE for the form. 
    • An email will be sent to Event Organizers within 5 business days of requests with approval or denial.
    • Events that are approved, will receive a full application via email at a later date.
  •  Friday, December 20, 2024: Deadline for New Special Event Rental Requests. 

Special Event Permit Fees

Refundable Deposit

All approved special events must pay a $300 refundable deposit within 5 days of approval of the Special Event Application. The Park District will return deposits within 30 days after the event. Full refunds will be issued if no damage beyond reasonable wear and tear has occurred, and all event invoices are paid in full.  Deposits are unable to be rolled over to use for future events.

Park/Facility Fees

All fees must be paid in full a minimum of 21 days prior to the event.  Fees listed below are charged per day for outdoor (park) events. If event attendance exceeds the estimates submitted on the Special Event Application, the Event Organizer will be responsible for paying the appropriate event fee based on actual attendance.

2025 Fees
  • $330/day for events with anticipated attendance under 250
  • $660/day for events with anticipated attendance of 250 to 999
  • $1,320/day for events with anticipated attendance of 1,000 to 2,499
  • $3,300/day for events with anticipated attendance of 2,500+
  • $3,300/day for a non-tournament event held at a sports complex
  • $6,000/day for use of Centennial Beach (i.e. triathlon use during non-public swim hours)
  • $495/day for additional parks needed to support event beyond primary location 

In addition to the above park/facility fees, Event Organizers are responsible to reimburse the Park District for any requested and/or required of the following:

  • Hourly fees for Park Police needed to support the event, if applicable.  
  • Hourly fees for Park Maintenance or Program staff needed to support the event (including setup, during event, and takedown), if applicable.
  • Direct costs for all District materials and supplies used for the event (i.e. paint, fencing, turf mats, etc.)
  • Direct costs for labor and materials needed to repair damage from the event, beyond reasonable wear and tear.

Requested Park District labor fees will be included on the initial permit in addition to event fees. All costs for the reimbursement of additional Park District labor and materials will be invoiced to the Event Organizer after the conclusion of the event and must be paid in full within 30 days of receipt of the invoice.

Additional Permits That May Be Needed for a Special Event

Depending upon the scope of the special event, additional permits issued by the Park District and/or City of Naperville may be needed.  The following is a list of additional permits that may apply.  All required applications and documents for additional permits must be submitted to the appropriate agency in advance of the event and within the timeframe required by the agency for processing. Copies of all approved permits/licenses must be submitted to the Park District prior to the event.

Special Event Vendor Application

City Liquor License (Required for the sale of alcohol)

City Tent Permit (Required for all tents/temporary structures)

City Amplifier Permit (Required for amplified sound)

City Raffle Permit (Required for Raffle Sales)

Community Concert Center Rental (Required for use of Central Park’s bench and green space)

  • For events looking to rent Central Park’s bench and green space in collaboration with a Community Concert Center Rental, please click HERE to submit your rental request.

FAQ's

New requests for special events, including existing events that are requesting a new date(s) or location, may submit a Special Event Rental Request by the deadlines stated above. The Naperville Park District will evaluate requests for new special events in December for the following calendar year.

Cancellations requested 21 days or more prior to the event will receive a refund of fees paid less any unrecoverable costs incurred by the Park District. Cancellations requested less than 21 days prior to the event will receive a refund of fees paid less the deposit plus any unrecoverable costs incurred by the Park District.

The Naperville Park District is not responsible for weather conditions and no refunds will be issued due to weather. If an event is cancelled due to inclement weather, the Event Organizer may call within 72 hours to reschedule, if rescheduling is deemed possible.

The District will return deposits within 30 days after the event, or upon payment of any post-event invoices. Full refunds will be issued if no damage beyond reasonable wear and tear has occurred, and all invoices have been paid in full.  Deposits are unable to be rolled over to use for future events.

Yes. Event Organizers shall secure and maintain throughout the period of use, general liability and property damage, to include Products/Completed Operations insurance, with policy limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. The Naperville Park District shall be named as additional insured by endorsement. The types and limits of insurance may be changed from time to time as determined by the Naperville Park District. If applicable, business auto liability and, if necessary, commercial umbrella liability insurance with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 each accident. Such insurance shall cover liability arising out of any auto including owned, hired and non-owned autos. If applicable, Event Organizer shall maintain workers compensation and employers liability insurance. The commercial umbrella and/or employers liability limits shall not be less than $1,000,000 each accident for bodily injury by accident or $1,000,000 each employee for bodily injury by disease.

If food or beverage is sold as part of the event, the Event Organizer and/or Vendors must submit a Certificate of Insurance listing the Naperville Park District as additionally insured by endorsement, a Special Event Vendor Application, and obtain a County Health Department Permit from the County where food and beverage sales will occur. The Certificate of Insurance by endorsement, a Special Event Vendor Application and a copy of the Health Department Permit must be submitted to the District a minimum of 21 days prior to the event.  

Yes, with an approved Alcohol Permit. The Event Organizer must provide proof of Liquor Liability insurance and a copy of the Event Organizer's Liquor License. The insurance shall apply as primary insurance with respect to any other insurance or self-insurance afforded to the Park District.  Security provided by or approved by Park District Police is required at any time that alcoholic beverages are being served or consumed. Any person consuming or in the possession of alcohol must have a valid picture ID with them. The serving of alcohol must cease one hour prior to the end of the rental or event.

The dates and times needed to complete event setup and takedown must be included on the Special Event Application, and approved as part of the permit issued to the Event Organizer.  Event set up and takedown, including but not limited to delivery and pickup of dumpsters, tents, port-o-lets, use of equipment, etc., shall not occur between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. without prior written approval from the Park District.

Motor vehicles/equipment may only be operated on roadways and in parking areas. Vehicles/equipment are not allowed on grass areas or park interiors.  An approved permit does not exempt the Event Organizer from this policy.  Any exception to this policy must be approved in writing by the Park District in advance.

The Event Organizer is responsible for cleanup of any trash and debris generated by the event as well as securing additional receptacles and/or a dumpster if park containers will not accommodate the needs of the event. Dumpsters are required for  events with 250 or more participants or if the event generates a large amount of trash.  The size and location for placement of the dumpster must be approved by the Park District prior to delivery.  Excessive clean-up costs may be charged at the discretion of the Naperville Park District.

The Event Organizer is responsible for securing the appropriate number of portable toilets (1 per 250 attendees) if needed for the event. Portable toilets should be delivered at the latest date and time possible prior to the event, and removed no more than 24 hours after the event.  Portable toilet locations must be approved by Park District prior to delivery. Deposits will not be returned until all portable toilets have been removed. 

If you are having more than one 10' by 10' tent or having any tents larger than 10' by 10'  you are required to obtain a Tent Permit from the City of Naperville. The Event Organizer is responsible for contacting J.U.L.I.E. at 811 to locate any utility lines prior to staking any tents or posts. Events must also supply the Park District with a detailed site map for tents or any other item that will need to be staked. All tent locations must be approved by the Park District prior to setup.  The Event Organizer is responsible for any repairs to parking lots or asphalt surfaces resulting from tent placement in those locations.

Only Park District-approved paint that is safe for application on turf areas can be used to mark set up locations. Only grass areas may be painted.  Neither paint nor chalk are permitted to be used on trees, walkways/trails, parking lots, park amenities or other structures or surfaces.  Violation of this policy may result in damage fees being assessed and forfeiture of future event permits.  (This policy does not apply to J.U.L.I.E. markings.)

Yes, amplification is allowed in parks between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Use of amplification outside of these hours requires an Amplification Permit which is obtained from the City of Naperville. Amplified sound may not be plainly audible at 200 feet of the originating property's lot lines.  Due to the proximity of some park locations to nearby homes, amplification may be limited further.

Pets on leashes are allowed in most District parks in accordance with Section 2.05 of Naperville Park District Ordinance 641.  Animals within indoor facilities is limited to Service Animals only. The presence of any other animals must be approved in writing by Park District in advance.

Advertise your upcoming community activity on the digital Community Event Sign located at William Friedrich Memorial Park on Washington Street.  The sign provides a place for Naperville-based, not-for-profit organizations to promote community events whose primary purpose is not for private nor commercial gain.  For additional information, or to apply for use of the sign, click here.

Only directional signs are permitted to be placed on the Naperville Riverwalk.  No other signs may be placed prior to or during the event.