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Which parks have reservable picnic shelters?
Lewisville Regional Park, Vancouver Lake Regional Park, Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park, Salmon Creek Regional Park /Klineline Pond, Leverich Community Park and Captain William Clark Regional Park have picnic shelters that can be reserved for events and gatherings. When not previously reserved, the shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Picnic shelters at all other city and county owned parks are not reservable.
Reservations at Esther Short Park, Vancouver Landing or Turtle Place are handled by the City of Vancouver’s Events Office. Please call 360-487-8630 for more information, or e-mail Cara.Cantonwine@cityofvancouver.us.
When are the picnic shelters available to reserve?
Reservations at most parks can be made for events occurring between May 1 and Sept. 30, each year. Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation starts accepting picnic shelter reservations on the first working day of February.
How do I make a picnic shelter reservation?
Call or visit the Marshall Community Center during regular business hours to make your reservation.
Address: 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd. in Vancouver
Phone: 360-487-7100
How much does it cost to reserve a picnic shelter?
Starting in 2010, picnic shelter reservation fees of $25-$100 per day will be collected at most of the parks listed above, depending the size of the shelter. The picnic shelter at Leverich Community Park uses a different, hourly rental fee. The fees help pay for maintenance and operation of the shelters. More information.
When do I need to arrive at the park to hold my reservation?
Someone from your party must be in your shelter no later than 11 a.m. on the date of your reservation or you will forfeit your reservation and another group can use your shelter.
Is there a way to find out if an event is already scheduled at a park I’m interested in with non-reservable picnic shelters?
Yes. Call 360-619-1123 or e-mail Brian.Potter@ci.vancouver.wa.us to find out if there are any special events scheduled in a park with non-reservable picnic shelters on the date you wish to have an event.
More information about picnic shelter reservations.
Which parks charge parking fees?
Parking fees are currently charged from the first weekend in May to the last Sunday in September at the following county and city parks:
Parking fees will be charged year-round, starting in early 2010, at the following city and county boat launches:
Parking fees may be charged before May for special events held at these parks and boat launches.
Parking fees by facility and type of vehicle.
If I visit these parks frequently, can I get a discount on parking?
Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation offers an Annual Parking Pass for regular park visitors. The pass costs $40 and can be used an unlimited number of times during the year it was purchased at any of the Clark County regional parks and boat launches that charge parking fees. Passes can be purchased from the fee collectors at the regional parks. Cash only please.
Will I be charged a parking fee to drop someone or something off in the park?
No. You will not be charged a parking fee if you are dropping off or picking up and will be in the park for less than 15 minutes. You just need to check in with the park fee
collector before entering and provide identification.
If I have to leave the park and return later the same day, do I have to pay the parking fee again?
No. If you keep your parking receipt, you can re-enter any Clark County regional park an unlimited number of times on the same day without paying again.
Can I pay the parking fees for guests attending a special event held in the park?
Yes. However, a Parking Contract must be acquired prior to visiting the park. Ask about a Parking Contract when you apply for your Special Use Permit. The county charges a $25 processing fee, plus $3 per car.
Parking Contracts must be processed by the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Adminstration Office no later than seven days before your event. For more information, call 360-619-1123 or e-mail Brian.Potter@ci.vancouver.wa.us.
What are Special Use Permits?
A Special Use Permit gives you permission to bring special items and equipment to the park and describes any approved special services, like parking contracts or other parks staff assistance. A special use permit is not a reservation and may not grant you exclusive use of a non-resevable area, unless otherwise specified by the permit. If you want to reserve a picnic shelter for your event, you will need to do that it separately (see Picnic Shelter Reservations section).
Do I need to have a permit to hold an event in a public park?
Yes, depending on the type of event, you will need to get a Special Use Permit from Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation. Examples of some events that would require a Special Use Permit:
- Weddings
- Baptisms
- Any gathering using amplified music or a loudspeaker
- Any gathering using inflatable bounce house(s)
- Any public events, like athletic competitions, charity activities and concerts
For more information or to apply for a permit, call 360-619-1123 or e-mail Brian.Potter@ci.vancouver.wa.us.
Events or gatherings held at Esther Short Park, Vancouver Landing and Turtle Place must go through a different permitting process. Please call 360-487-8630 for more information, e-mail Cara.Cantonwine@cityofvancouver.us, or visit this Web page: www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/events/cityevents.htm
How do I apply for a Special use Permit?
Call Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation at 360-619-1123 to apply for a Special Use Permit.
Is alcohol allowed in the parks?
No, alcohol consumption or possession is not allowed at any public parks. There is no permit you can get that will allow it. The only exception is at community events held in Esther Short Park (call 360-487-8630 for more information).
Is amplified music allowed in the parks?
Amplified music is allowed in public parks on a case-by-case basis, with an approved Special Use Permit. Non-amplified (acoustic) music may be allowed without a permit. For more information or to apply for a permit, call 360-619-1123 or e-mail Brian.Potter@ci.vancouver.wa.us.
Are inflatable bounce houses and dunk tanks allowed in the parks?
Inflatable bounce houses are allowed in many parks with an approved Special Use Permit. Dunk tanks are not allowed.
Do I need proof of insurance to have a bounce house at my event?
Yes. You will need to have the company you are renting the equipment from provide you with a Certificate of Liability Insurance, listing the City of Vancouver and Clark County as “Additional Insured.” More questions about this issue can be answered as part of the Special Use Permit application process.
Do any other types of activities require proof of insurance?
Yes. Whether or not your event will need proof of insurance will be discussed as part of the Special Use Permit application process. Some examples of other events that will require proof of insurance include:
- Any athletic event (i.e. triathalons, races, disc golf tournaments, etc.)
- Any event with vendors or where an admission fee is charged
- Any event with dogs (i.e. dog shows, dog agility contests/trials, etc.)
Can I pay my guests’ parking fees?
Yes. However, a Parking Contract must be acquired prior to visiting the park. Ask about a Parking Contract when you apply for your Special Use Permit. The county charges a $25 processing fee, plus $3 per car.
Parking Contracts must be processed by the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Adminstration Office no later than seven days before your event. For more information, call 360-619-1123 or e-mail Brian.Potter@ci.vancouver.wa.us.
Can our church have a baptism at one of the parks?
Baptisms are permitted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the park, the size of the event and other factors. A Special Use Permit is required for all baptisms.
Can I have my wedding at a park?
Weddings are permitted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the park, the size of the event and other factors. A Special Use Permit is required for all weddings.
Public parks are best suited for smaller, more intimate wedding ceremonies and receptions. If you are expecting more than 200 people, you may want to consider using a different type of facility.
For information about having a wedding at Esther Short Park, please call 360-487-8630 or e-mail Cara.Cantonwine@cityofvancouver.us.
How do I find out about the status of a planned or undeveloped park in my neighborhood or community?
Please contact Elizabeth Jordan at (360) 619-1121 for information, or visit the park planning and development Web page.
How do I get information about, or purchase, a fishing license?
Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation does not issue fishing licenses. For information about licensing in Washington State, please visit the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's Web site: http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing.
Where can I go swimming?
Swimming or water contact is permitted at all public parks located next to rivers and lakes, with the exception of Lucia Falls Regional Park because the waters are sensitive fish spawning grounds. There are no lifeguards at any of these parks.
Water contact is allowed at Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park, Captain William Clark Regional Park at Cottonwood Beach and Wintler Community Park, but swimming can be dangerous due to swift currents and sudden drop offs.
There are also a number of other public swimming areas on the East Fork Lewis River, North Fork Lewis River, Washougal River, Yale Lake, Battle Ground Lake and Lake Merwin.
Can I camp at any of the parks?
Overnight camping is not allowed at any parks owned by Clark County or the City of Vancouver.
Camping is allowed at some state and federal government-owned sites within Clark County, like Paradise Point State Park (State Parks), Cold Creek Campground (State Dept. of Natural Resources), Rock Creek Campground (State Dept. of Natural Resources) and Sunset Falls Campground (United States Forest Service).
Can I bring my dog(s) to the park?
You may bring your dogs to most city and county-owned parks, but both city ordinances and county code required that they be leashed at all times (unless you are within a designated off-leash dog park), and that owners clean up after their pets.
Dogs are not allowed north of the parking lot and creek at Salmon Creek Regional Park at any time. Dogs are also not allowed on the beach or grassy areas in Vancouver Lake Regional Park from April 1 to October 31. (County Code 9.04)
Off-leash dog parks in Clark County
Can I bring my barbeque to a park?
Yes, personal gas or charcoal barbeques may be brought to any park. However, please be aware of where you place the barbeque so it does not damage park property. Large barbeques towed on trailers are allowed on a case-by-case basis and require an approved Special Use Permit. To apply for a Special Use Permit or for more information, please call 360-619-1137.
Which parks have boat launches?
Lacamas Lake has two boat launches. One on the south side of the lake that is operated by the city of Camas, and one on the north side of the lake that is operated by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Both motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed on Lacamas Lake. However, boats are not allowed on Round Lake, which is on the southeast side of Everett Street.
Marine Park has a boat launch and docks that provide access to the Columbia River.
Daybreak Park has a boat launch on the west side of Daybreak Road with access to the East Fork Lewis River.
The Haapa Boat Launch provides access to the North Fork Lewis River.
A boat launch next to the La Center Bottoms provides access to the East Fork Lewis River.
Vancouver Lake has a boat launch on the south shore operated by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, but is designated as a “no wake lake.” Boats are permitted as long as they travel at low speeds that do not generate a wake.
A boat launch in the city of Ridgefield provides access to Lake River and the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge.
There is a boat launch at Battle Ground Lake State Park, which is operated by the State Parks Department.
The Morgan Landing Boat Launch provides access to the main branch of the Lewis River and the Columbia River.
Cedar Creek Boat Launch is operated by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and provides access to the North Fork Lewis River near the Cedar Creek Grist Mill.
The Washougal River Greenway boat launch provides access to the Washougal River and Columbia River.
A boat launch at Hathaway Park in Washougal provides access to the Washougal River.
Marina Park in Camas has a boat launch with access to the Columbia River.
The Landerholm Boat Launch is operated by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and provides access to the Columbia River north of Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park.
Please call (360) 619-1111, or send us an e-mail.
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