Read through the information provided below to determine which type of permit best suits your event.   If you are unsure whether or not a permit is required for your event or which type of permit you should use, please contact the Park District at permits@oakparkparks.com for more information.

1. Choose a park location, date, and time for your event.  You are strongly encouraged to choose an alternate location and/or date in the event that your first choice is not available as it will help lessen any delay in the approval of your request. 
2. Complete all sections of the appropriate permit application.  All proposed activities and events are subject to the approval of the Park District.  Incomplete applications or those missing the application fee (or permit fee for Taylor Park Picnic permits) will not be considered. If your event consists of multiple dates within one calendar year with the same location, event activities, and arrangements, you need to submit only one application listing all dates (which saves you money in only having to pay one application fee).
3. Submit the completed application and fee to the Park District of Oak Park at least 3 weeks (or 4 weeks for Special Event Permit Applications) prior to the start of your event.  Submittal of an application does not automatically grant you a permit to conduct your planned event as all applications are subject to review. 
4. Completed applications with applicable fees are processed in the order which they are received.  Applicants can expect to receive an initial response to their application via e-mail no later than 2 weeks after it was received.  At this time, applicants will be notified of the status of the application as well as any remaining fees that must be paid and/or additional documents that must be submitted before a permit is approved and final confirmation is sent. Delays in submission of these fees or information may result in the denial of the permit.

Applicants are required to inform the Park District of Oak Park of any and all amendments to the original application prior to the event day. Once all requirements have been fulfilled, including receipt of all documents and full payment, a park permit will be issued.

This permit is the one most commonly used for picnics, birthday parties, and pick-up games.  This permit allows the group to gather in the park, but does not guarantee any specific space or feature within the park (everything remains open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis) including athletic fields/courts, even if the purpose of the event listed on the application is for athletic-type of activities.  Applicants wishing to hold an organized practice, game, etc. of any size must apply for an Athletic Field/Court Permit instead.  Please note that Park District does not reserve non-athletic features in parks such as spray features, playgrounds, picnic tables (except at Taylor Park), or gazebos for any type of permit, although permitted groups are welcome to use these features along with members of the public who may also be in the parks.  While this permit does not guarantee any specific space, it is required by Park District Code and does generally provide restroom access for groups when available as well as help to eliminate having conflicting groups in a park at the same time. 
GENERAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION PDF DOWNLOAD

This permit reserves the Taylor Park Picnic Area (the only space where barbecuing/grilling is allowed in parks in Oak Park and the only space where picnic tables may be reserved) for a designated timeslot.  Two timeslots are available each day—10am-3pm or 4pm-dusk—or both timeslots may be reserved for use from 10am-dusk.
TAYLOR PARK PERMIT APPLICATION PDF DOWNLOAD

Ceremony Permit
Group Size: Up to 75 individuals (larger groups must apply for a Special Event Permit and Media Permit instead)
Application Requirements: Completed Ceremony Permit Application & Application Fee ($10R/$25NR)
Permit Fee: $50/hr

This permit is designed for individuals wishing to hold a simple wedding, commitment, vow renewal, or other similar type of ceremony in a park.  This permit does not grant special permission for items not typically allowed under Park Code such as amplified sound, chairs, or equipment.  Unlike with other permit types though, this permit does allow for a professional photographer and/or videographer to be present to document the event.
CEREMONY PERMIT APPLICATION PDF DOWNLOAD

This permit is generally used for larger events that will heavily use a specific space within a park or groups that want to request certain activities that are not permissible under the Park District Code without special permission.  For example, any events wishing to sell or distribute samples of food or merchandise or any events wishing to use amplified sound, tents, stages, or electricity will require this permit.  A certificate of insurance naming the Park District as additionally insured will be required.  Additional permits may also be required by the Village of Oak Park.  Please note that permitted park will remain open to the public during the event.  SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT APPLICATION PDF DOWNLOAD

This permit is for any organization needing to reserve an athletic field or court for a practice, game, tournament, etc. This permit does guarantee a specific space for the permitted group, weather permitting. The Park District does not issue Athletic Field/Court Permits to organizations for the purpose of putting on private lessons, instruction, clinics, or camps. Due to the high demand for field space in Oak Park, Athletic Field/Court Permits are rarely available to groups that do not hold “Affiliate” status with the Park District. When space is available, the cost varies based on location requested and residency of the applicant. In most cases a certificate of insurance naming the Park District as additionally insured will also be required. This permit is only available to recognized organizations. ATHLETIC FIELD/COURT PERMIT APPLICATION PDF DOWNLOAD

A media permit is required for any photography or filming taking place in any Oak Park park that is commercial in nature, even if the sponsoring organization or project being worked on is for or affiliated with a non-profit, educational, or government organization.  Examples of activities requiring a Media Permit include wedding photography, family portraits, and any filming or photography being done that will be used in the production of commercials, catalogs, magazines, or any other marketing materials, public service announcements, documentaries, training films, television films or series, student films, independent films, feature films, or commercial art. A certificate of insurance naming the Park District as additionally insured or a deposit may be required.  Additional permits may also be required by the Village of Oak Park. MEDIA PERMIT APPLICATION PDF DOWNLOAD

This permit is specifically designed for organizations wishing to bring a group of youth to a park for a field trip.  This permit allows the group to gather in the park, but does not guarantee any specific space or feature within the park (everything remains open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis) including athletic fields/courts, even if the purpose of the event listed on the application is for athletic-type of activities.  Applicants wishing to hold an organized class, practice, game, etc. of any size must apply for an Athletic Field/Court Permit instead.  Please note that Park District does not typcially reserve non-athletic features in parks such as spray features, playgrounds, picnic tables (except at Taylor Park), or gazebos for any type of permit although permitted groups are welcome to use these features along with members of the public who may also be in the parks.  Youth groups must be properly chaperoned and supervised and groups not abiding by park rules may lose privileges to use the parks in the future.  While this permit does not guarantee any specific space, it is required by Park District Code and does generally provide restroom access for groups when available as well as help to eliminate having conflicting groups in a park at the same time.    DAYCARE/SCHOOL PERMIT APPLICATION PDF DOWNLOAD