Guidelines and fees
Local Picnic Shelters
Shelters are available for rental between April 1 and October 31. Applications to rent local picnic shelters are accepted by the Park Permits Office between January-October for use within the same calendar year.
Rented picnic shelters are available from 9a.m. until 8p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first.
- To rent a local picnic shelter, two-thirds of all participants must be residents of Montgomery or Prince George’s County, Maryland.
- Parking at all locations is first come, first served, and parking lots are shared by all users of the park, including shelter renters, ballfield renters, and the community.
- Permanent restrooms and porta-johns are available April – October only. Permanent restrooms require a key to access; the key must be picked up and returned to the Park Permit office by the renter.
- Catering is not allowed at local picnic shelters.
- Only charcoal fires in grills are permitted.
- Persons renting a shelter must be 21 years or older
- Facility requests must be made at least 72 hours in advance of your requested date. Requests submitted with less than 72 hours will not be processed, and there will be no refund of submitted application fees.
Alcohol policy
Trash removal
Additional rules
Adjacent ballfields
Local Picnic Fees Schedule
Reservation confirmation
Cancellations
Making Reservation Requests
Park Permits Offices
Directions
Alcohol Policy
Alcohol is not permitted at local park picnic shelters.
Trash Removal
All renters are responsible for removing all trash and recyclables from Park property for proper disposal. Failure to do so may result in the forfeiture of the security deposit.
Additional Rules
Renters of MNCPPC Park facilities are responsible for following Rules and Regulations.
Adjacent Ballfields
Many local park picnic shelters have adjacent ballfields, which may also be rented with the shelter for an additional fee, as they are available. These fields are frequently reserved for use by local leagues for games and practices. If a renter of a picnic shelter wants to also rent the adjacent ballfield for a one-time use, it is recommended that the ballfield request be submitted between December 1-15 for the Spring/Summer and between June 1-15 for the Fall. Requests may be submitted after these dates, but will processed first come, first served, with the league requests for use. Ballfield rentals are for two hours maximum.
Ballfield rental information
Local Picnic Fee Schedule
- $90 non-refundable rental fee per shelter
- $150 refundable security deposit per shelter is required to reserve a local picnic shelter. Security deposits are approved for return upon the receipt of the facility key and/or after the park inspection is completed by the third workday. Refunds are processed and returned within one to four weeks. Security deposits may be retained if the facility is left unclean or damages occur during the rental period.
- $48 reservation change fee, which must be made writing at least 7 days in advance of the original rental date.
Reservation Confirmation
A reservation request is not finalized until confirmed by the Park Permit office. Confirmations are made from the Park Permit office by email, or you may contact the office directly by calling 301-495-2525. Please do not finalize plans until you receive a confirmation.
Cancellations
Once a reservation is made, the $90 rental fee is non-refundable, regardless of weather; the rental is for rain or shine use. If you need to cancel your use, please return your permit contract to the Park Permits Office immediately prior to the scheduled use. An additional $48 fee is charged to change your reservation, which must be made in writing to the Park Permits office at least 7 days in advance of the original rental date.
Making Reservation Requests
Prior to selecting and reserving a facility, it is recommended that you visit the requested facility in advance. After a reservation is made, there are no fee refunds, and changes to reservations require a $48 fee and a written request made 7 days in advance of the original rental date.
Reservations can be made in person at the two Park Permit Offices (see operation hours below) or online. Both the non-refundable fee and security deposit are required when making the reservation.
Download Picnic Shelter Applications. Completed applications, payments for facilities and security deposits should be taken to the Park Permits Office.
Payments made with a check are only accepted two full weeks in advance of the requested date.
To submit an application, reservation and security deposit fees online, click here.
Park Permit Offices
Parkside Headquarters
9500 Brunett Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20901
301-495-2525
Fax: 301-495-2484
Office Hours: 8:30a.m.– 4:30p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Upcounty Government Center
12900 Middlebrook Road - Room 1500
Germantown, MD 20874
301-495-2480
Office Hours: 8:30a.m. - 4p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Directions
Parkside Headquarters
From I-495, take the Colesville Road South exit, which is exit 30B, off of the beltway and stay in your right-hand lane. Turn right at the second light onto Sligo Creek Parkway. Take the first right turn, which is Brunett Avenue. The first left turn after turning onto Brunett Avenue is the driveway leading up to our building.
Upcounty Government Center
Take I-270 North to the Route 118 West exit. Follow Route 118 to Middlebrook Road, which will be the third traffic light. Turn right onto Middlebrook Road. Make the first left turn by the Exxon Gas Station. The building and parking lot will be on your left. The Department of Parks Permit Office is located on the first floor, Room 1500.
