Frequently Asked Questions - Parks
Picnic shelter reservations
Q: Which parks have reservable picnic shelters?
These parks all 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 Kerry Peck.
Q: 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.
Q: 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
Q: How much does it cost to reserve a picnic shelter?
Picnic shelter reservation fees range from $25 to $100 per day, depending the size of the shelter.
The fees help pay for maintenance and operation of the shelters. More information.
Q: 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 360-487-8337 or e-mail Brian Potter 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.
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Parking fees
Q: Which parks charge parking fees?
Parking fees are charged year-round at the following city and county parks and 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.
Q: 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, or at Marshall Community Center or Battle Ground Community Center. Cash only please.
Q: 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.
Q: 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.
Q: 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 Park 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 360-487-8337 or e-mail Brian.Potter@cityofvancouver.us.
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Special events in parks
Q: What are Park Use Permits?
A Park 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 park 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).
Q: 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 Park Use Permit from Vancouver-Clark
Parks and Recreation. Examples of some events that would require a Park 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 360-487-8337 or e-mail Brian.Potter@cityofvancouver.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 Kerry.Peck@cityofvancouver.us
Q: How do I apply for a Park use Permit?
Call Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation at 360-487-8323 to apply for a Park Use Permit.
Q: 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).
Q: Is amplified music allowed in the parks?
Amplified music is allowed in public parks on a case-by-case basis, with an approved Park Use Permit.
Non-amplified (acoustic) music may be allowed without a permit. For more information or to apply for a
permit, call 360-487-8323 or e-mail Brian.Potter@cityofvancouver.us.
Q: Are inflatable bounce houses and dunk tanks allowed in the parks?
Inflatable bounce houses are allowed in many parks with an approved Park Use Permit. Dunk tanks are not allowed.
Q: 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 Park Use Permit application process.
Q: 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 Park 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.)
Q: 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 Park 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 360-487-8323 or e-mail Brian.Potter@cityofvancouver.us.
Q: 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 Park Use Permit is required for all baptisms.
Q: 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 Park 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 Kerry.Peck@cityofvancouver.us.
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Other park questions
Q: 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) 487-8321 for information, or visit the park planning and development Web page.
Q: 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: http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing. Your fishing license
does not cover the parking fee at the park.
Q: 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.
Q: 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).
Q: 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. 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
Q: 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 Park Use Permit.
To apply for a Park Use Permit or for more information, please call 360-487-8337.
Q: Which parks have boat launches?
There are parking fees at the boat launches for day use. An annual pass is an economical option.
- 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.
Still have questions?
Please call (360) 487.8311, or send us an e-mail.
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