Park Policies & Rules

City Code 91.02

Glass containers are not allowed at any park facility.

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at Central Park, Cashman Park, Kaplan's Woods Parkway, Archery Park on Elm or Sid Kinyon Courts.

Large container alcohol permits require a $10 permit fee and an additional $50 deposit. MN State Statute 340 regulates against the sale of alcoholic beverages.

No alcohol can be consumed on City of Owatonna premises by any person under the legal age.

• All guests must possess a valid ID if they plan to consume alcoholic beverages
• Valid ID may be requested of any person(s) at any time during your event.

Cancelations require a $10 processing fee.

• 90 days before reservation - full refund (less processing fee)
• 60-days before reservation - 50% refund (less processing fee)
• Cancelation by City of Owatonna - full refund
• All other cancelations - no refund.

Change requests must be made 14 days in advance and granted based on availability.

Damage Deposits are required at the time of reservation.

Deposits able to be returned are processed five days after the rental.

Large container alcohol permits require an additional $10 permit fee and an additional $50 deposit.

Deposits are not returned, additional charges may be incurred, as well as future rental privileges may be denied for the following conditions (not an exhaustive list):

• Not following stated rules within the Outdoor Rental and Use Policy
• Not providing appropriate documentation
• Staff is called to open or close the facility
• Not returning a key
• Additional cleaning outside of routine cleaning
• Damage to the pavilion, building, park amenity or grounds
• Not returning amenities to the original location
• Use of balloons in enclosed shelters
• Use of confetti
• Use of staples, pins or nails in tables, walls, trees or fixtures
• Driving on grass or turf
• Smoking in shelters
• Cooking grilling or candles inside shelters

Any sale of food (Event Permit) or use of concession stands of Food Truck used as a caterer (Park Permit) requires appropriate permits and possibly additional deposits.

Concession equipment is not guaranteed to be in working order.

Rental/use of concession areas may have additional fees and requirements.

No cooking inside of structures.

Renter must pick up a key at the Parks and Recreation office before the rental. 

Renter is not permitted access before their scheduled time.

The deposit will not be returned if the on-call employee is called open or close the facility.

There is no air conditioning in the Chalet, fans may be used.

Absolutely no confetti or balloons in the Chalet.

No smoking, cooking or candles inside the Chalet.

All tables and chairs must be returned to their storage area.

Garbages must be emptied.

Floors must be swept and/or mopped.

Any activities not consistent with city ordinances or state or federal laws are prohibited.

Expectations of renter/permit holder include, but are not limited to:

• No use of staples, pins or nails in tables, walls, trees or fixtures
• No balloons in enclosed shelters
• No cooking, grilling or candles inside shelter (slow cookers and roasters are o.k. to be plugged in)
• No smoking in shelters
• No fires set outside of designated fireplaces, grill sites or rings (Ordinance 91.03)
• No confetti in any shelter or park
• No staking of tents or inflatables (requires a park permit)
• No driving on grass or turf of any kind
• No sound amplification larger than a personal speaker (larger requires a park permit)
• No horses
• No snowmobiles
• Animals must be on a leash within city limits (Ordinance 90.05)
• Animal owners must remove any feces from park premises (Ordinance 90.11)
• The facility should be left in at least as good of condition as it was
  • Garbage should be contained in barrels
  • Spills should be cleaned up
  • Any items brought in should be removed

Additional charges may be assessed if damage or required cleaning (outside of routine) exceeds the deposit amount and renter/permit holder may deny future rental privileges.

Pavilions and shelters are available 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily. 

Reservations may be made through CivicRec or by contacting the Parks and Recreation Office. 

• Review the complete Outdoor Rental and Use Policy prior to reservation.
• Reservations are complete only when paid.
• Tentative dates/reservations are not held.
• Fees and amenities vary by location and do not include tax.
• Try the Owatonna Park Finder and sort parks by what you are looking for. Search by any one or combination of 30 park features
• Rental Hours are considered an entire day, from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• A Damage Deposit is required at the time of the reservation.
  • Returned deposits are processed five business days after the rental.
  • Processing times vary from five days to three weeks.
    • Open Air Shelter - $50
    • Enclosed Shelter, Building or Kitchen - $200
    • Large container of alcohol - additional $50
  • See additional sections regarding rules, additional charges and non-return of deposit.
• Rental provides exclusive use of the pavilion or shelter; the park remains open for public use.
• Water keys are needed to fill large containers at Brown, Gainey, Jaycee and Manthey South. A code for access to the key is provided upon request.
• Renter/Permit Holder must have their receipt/permit on-site the day of the reservation

Tobacco/marijuana use and vaping are prohibited at outdoor youth recreation facilities owned by the City of Owatonna including:

• Baseball/softball fields
• Football fields
• Lake Kohlmier beach
• Playgrounds
• Soccer fields
• Warsinski Outdoor skating facility

These products shall also be prohibited at the spectator areas, restrooms, and concession areas of these facilities.

Rentals provide exclusive use of the pavilion or shelter from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.  

Park Permits are required 30 days in advance and are reviewed by staff and Park Board. 

Permits are required for:

• Access before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Reservation of space outside of the pavilion or shelter (pavilion rental required)
• Amenities brought into the park
  • Tables, portable restrooms, etc. are the responsibility of the renter
  • Inflatables and other amusement items require a Certificate of Insurance with the City listed as also named
• Moving park amenities within the park
• Tournaments (additional application and approval necessary)
• Staking and signs (permit holders must call Gopher One for locates)
• Request for prior day set-up or next day clean-up
• Use of concession area
• Use of Central Park bandshell
• Use of a Food Truck as a caterer
• Recurring events

The following requests will not be granted:

• Additional picnic tables, trash barrels, portable restrooms
• Additional cleaning
• Unchaining tables or staff moving park amenities
• Sale of items in parks (requires event permit)
• Staff to run sound system

Apply for a Park Permit.

Event Permits are required 60 days in advance and are reviewed by staff, city departments and approved by City Council.

Event Permits are required for the following:

• Amplified sound larger than a small, personal speaker
• Parades
• Public dances
• Temporary road closure requests
• Weekend activities requiring use of public right-of-way
• Fundraising event
• Sale of goods or services on city property
• Exceptions to city ordinances

Apply for an Event Permit