If you are denied a permit and ask nicely, they will tell you which parks are available.

Also, parks that have the small tables (4 seats) as opposed to the long tables are not reservable - you can just show up.

Don't bother requesting a permit. I have tried to request one for a winter party twice but it was a big waste of time. You make a request and wait for almost two weeks to get an answer that was always "denied". I tried every single room in ward 3 for over 3 months, called often to check on the status, was told to request x and y since they were available... but always got "denied" even if told they were available over the phone. A complete useless service and a waste of my time. Never again. I would like to know who gets these permits and how they are given out, to whom and why. DPR should advertise the service as it it: works to waste your time.

It is $65; you get the rest of the money refunded afterwards. The only reason we did it was dead SOMEONE else would get a permit and be able to kick us out.

I've held 3 parties at Rock Creek and the permit was $7. I thought all the reservations were the same. The only annoying part was that I had to drop off the money in person.

Anonymous wrote:I paid for the permit once at Haines Point- East Potomac Park. I was furious because a) someone was in our spot at our given time and b) despite calling several numbers I was unable to reach anyone who would be able and willing to enforce the matter. Any attempts afterword to get a refund resulted in nothing.

I will never pay to reserve a space again unless I know for sure it is enforced.

That is what I would worry about--someone else already in your space, and no real way to get them out!

I paid for the permit once at Haines Point- East Potomac Park. I was furious because a) someone was in our spot at our given time and b) despite calling several numbers I was unable to reach anyone who would be able and willing to enforce the matter. Any attempts afterword to get a refund resulted in nothing.

I will never pay to reserve a space again unless I know for sure it is enforced.

Typically we don't bother getting permits. It's not like we're taking over the whole park. It's more like a big picnic.

We paid it and DPR refunds the deposit after the party. It may not be essential, but if you're worried about another group claiming the space on the day of your party it may be worth it for peace of mind. FWIW a DPR employee came to check for our permit during our party, so I was glad that I had my ducks in a row!

What? I've hosted/been to a few birthday parties at DC playground/parks and never heard of any permit needed (unless you want to reserve a space, like a room in a rec center or something). I have seen many groups set up "parties" (maybe not kids birthday parties, but family bbqs, what have you) in the covered pavillions in DC parks and I know some of them didn't have permits because I've seen arguments about who can use the space (it seems to be a first come, first served system of reservations).

I think I paid approximately that amount for space at a park (Livingston) last year. There is a refundable deposit built in.

I applied for a permit and was conditionally approved to hold my dd's party at our dpr playground. I just got the invoice: $140! You have got to be kidding me. Nobody pays this right? Or was it a mistake? I emailed to clarify, but expect a response to take a few days. The web site says $65 for a park site, which itself is ridiculous, but I'd probably pay it to support our parks.