Montgomery Parks is now accepting applications for permits to reserve park activity buildings and picnic shelters, according to a press release.
Residents will be able to use these buildings as of June 12, officials said. The office closed all activity buildings and quit issuing permits for picnic shelters in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
“We are thrilled to reopen our park activity buildings and begin offering reservations for picnic shelters at local parks now that the county has lifted all COVID-19 capacity restrictions,” Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks, said in the release. “I’m certain there will be a great demand for these locations in our parks, so I suggest people submit their applications as soon as possible.”
Montgomery Parks manages 19 activity buildings around the county. Each one features a kitchen, refrigerator, warming oven, and restrooms. The buildings often are used for birthday parties, bridal showers, family reunions and meetings, and other gatherings.
In addition, there are 88 picnic shelters available on a first-come, first-served basis, but permit holders get priority at all times.
Fees for county residents for activity buildings are $30 an hour during the week, with a four-hour minimum, and $50 an hour on weekends, also with a four-hour minimum.
Residents can rent a picnic shelter in local parks for fees ranging from $80 to $110, depending on the time of day and length of use. Shelters at regional and recreational parks are $170 and $250 per day, depending on the park.
More information about how to reserve a park building or shelter, or apply for a permit, is available online.
Picnic shelter at Wheaton Forest Local Park. Photo by Mike Diegel.