Parks & Recreation Park Use Permits

Parks & Recreation Logo

Parks & Recreation Park Use Permits

A Permit is required for conducting any of the following in a Kent County Park:

  • Special Events: Includes any organized activity or event coordinated by a formal organized group which will be advertised or noticed in any publication, poster or flyer; or requests or requires a fee be paid for participation; and/or may be attended by 20 or more people.
  • Ongoing Activities or Programs
  • Activities / Programs outside of established County Parks standards: Examples include: afterhours use of a park facility, off-trail use, camping in a non-designated area, etc.
  • Sales of Any Services or Products (Concessionaires Permit): Includes all commercial use of the parks (vendors)
  • Filming Sessions - Capturing or recording motion pictures using video, film, digital or other technology.
  • Commercial Photography: Any form of black and white or color photography (digital, chemical or by other means or technology) that is performed for profit or other commercial purposes or that may be sold or used for commercial purposes.
  • Drone Use/Operation: For Drone usage/operation inquiries please contact ParksRec@kentcountyde.gov.
  • Specimen Collection
  • Spreading of Ashes

Please submit a completed Permit Application(PDF, 188KB) to request a permit for conducting any of the above in a County Park.

Completed Applications can be:

Please note:

The submittal of a Permit Application is a request for your event or activity only. The application does not constitute a permit or approval for your event or activity. Upon approval of your application, permit requirements must be completed in order to proceed with the event or activity.

For further information regarding permits, please review how to Reserve a Facility.

For information regarding fees and any other questions please contact the Parks & Recreation Division at ParksRec@kentcountyde.gov, or 302-744-2495.

Reservations & Permits

Park & Facility Rentals

Exclusive use of outdoor athletic fields and indoor courts at the new Recreation Center is offered at Kent County Parks and Recreation. Exclusive use affords teams, groups, or individuals, the ability to definitively schedule an event, game, or tournament. A monetary fee and security deposit must be submitted with an application for field rental for it to be processed. 

Available Rental Facilities

Brecknock County Park, Camden

- Youth Softball Fields (2)

- Multipurpose Fields (4)

Big Oak County Park, Smyrna

- Adult Softball Fields (3)

- Multipurpose Fields (4)

Browns Branch County Park, Harrington

- Adult Softball Fields (3)

- Multipurpose Fields (3)

Kesselring County Park, Dover

- Synthetic Turf Field (1)

- Multipurpose Fields (6)

Kent County Recreation Center, Dover

- Basketball Courts (4)

Procedures for Applying for Rentals and Concessions Permit

  • Fill out application for rental
  • Submit with payment (rental fee + security deposit) to P&R Office, preferably by separate checks.
  • Requested date(s) must be inside three (3) months out and no sooner than 15 days before to be processed.
  • If concessions are requested, applicant must submit Vending/Concession Permit Application(PDF, 54KB) with Rental Application, there is no added fee for this application.
  • Parks and Recreation Director will authorize permits (Director of Community Service if absent or unable) and notify applicant of acceptance or rejection.
  • Please bring a hard copy of your permit to your scheduled event(s), even if it is multiple days.

 

RC Airplanes May Be Authorized in County Parks

On October 15th, 2019, Kent County Levy Court authorized the Department of Community Services, Parks and Recreation Division to approve and issue Permits for the operation of Remote Controlled Airplanes in County Parks, expressly limited to electric motored Remote Controlled Model Airplanes, and restricted to use and flying only at the south field at Kesselring County Park, southeast field at Big Oak County Park, and the north field at Browns Branch County Park. Use of authorized Remote Controlled Airplanes shall comply at all times with the Special Regulations for Operation of Remote Controlled Airplanes promulgated by the Department of Community Services.

Please print out and return this brochure if you are interested: RC Airplane Brochure(PDF, 474KB)

 

Use Fees

Fee Schedule for Rentals of Kent County Parks and Recreation Facilities

 The permit fee for reserving the exclusive use of the following facilities shall be as follows:

(1) Big Oak County Park.

(a) Ball Fields, March 1 through November 15. No holiday weekend rentals.

[1] Weekends: $80/field/day.

[2] Full weekend: $150/field.

[3] Seasonal individual league rental for up to three weekday nights and not to exceed 12 weeks: $600/field.

(b) Multipurpose Sports Fields.

[1] Weekends: $80/field/day.

[2] Full weekend: $150/field.

[3] Seasonal individual league rental for up to three weekday nights and not to exceed 12 weeks: $600/field.

(c) Any individual sports field may be reserved weekdays for an hourly fee of $15 with a two-hour minimum.

(2) Browns Branch County Park.

(a) Ball Fields, March 1 through November 15. No holiday weekend rentals.

[1] Weekends: $80/field/day.

 

[3] Seasonal individual league rental for up to three weekday nights and not to exceed 12 weeks: $600/field.

(b) Multipurpose Sports Fields.

[1] Weekends: $80/field/day.

[2] Full weekend: $150/field.

[3] Seasonal individual league rental for up to three weekday nights and not to exceed 12 weeks: $600/field.

(c) Any individual sports field may be reserved weekdays for an hourly fee of $15 with a two-hour minimum.

(3) Brecknock County Park.

(a) Youth-Only Ball Fields, March 1 through November 15. No holiday weekend rentals.

[1] Weekends: $50/field/day.

[2] Full weekend: $90/field. [3] No league rentals. (b) Brecknock Multipurpose Sports Fields. [1] Weekends: $80/field/day.

[2] Full weekend: $150/field.

[3] Seasonal individual league rental for up to three weekday nights and not to exceed 12 weeks: $600/field.

(c) Any individual sports field may be reserved weekdays for an hourly fee of $15 with a two-hour minimum

D. Rec Center Courts and Turf Field. The permit fee for reserving the exclusive use of the following facilities shall be as follows:

1. Rec Center Courts (per hour to includes 5 minute clean up time at end)

a. 1 Court ($75 per hour)

b. 2 Courts ($125 per hour)

c. 3 Courts ($175 per hour)

d. 4 Courts ($225 per hour)

2. Rec Center Courts Additional Hour Discount (inclusive of all hours rented)

a. 1 hour = 10%

b. 2 hours = 15%

c. 3 hours = 20%

d. 4 or more hours = 25%

3. Turf Field (minimum of 2 hours includes 10 minute clean up time at end)

a. Full Field Only ($100 per hour)

b. Lights ($50 per hour)

4.

Turf Field Additional Hours Discount (inclusive of all hours rented)

a. 1 hour = 10%

b. 2 hours = 15%

c. 3 hours = 20%

d. 4 or more hours = 25%

 

 

Parks System Map

Looking for an adventure? Check out a County Park with the Kent County Parks System Map(PDF, 1MB)!

Parking

Use of park and parking lots is restricted to daylight hours only. Motor vehicles restricted to designated parking areas only. No auto repair or maintenance activities in parking areas.

Campfires

No open fires.

Fireworks

No open fires

Notice of Cancellation

Use of Permit

Kent County does not issue permits for private exclusive use of pavilions. All pavilions can be used by the general public and cannot be reserved, roped off, covered, decorated, etc. in advance of your intended use. Patrons cannot deny the use of pavilion tables if not immediately occupied. Seating is limited.

Sports fields may be rented for exclusive private use. Organized team and league practice by official Kent County permit only. Permits can be obtained through the Parks and Recreation Office. Permits cannot be issued inside of 15 days and outside of three months. Fee and security deposit apply.

Pavillion Use Guidelines

Pavilion Use Guidelines

Pavilions are intended for general public use with the following restrictions:

1. No individual or group may hold, reserve, rope off, or otherwise take up more space/tables than needed AT THE TIME OF OCCUPATION, without prior permission by form of Kent County Special Event Permit.

2. No individual or group may require current users to leave/vacate the pavilion without prior permission by form of Kent County Special Event Permit.

3. Decorations (balloons, table cloth, streamers, signs, etc.) for any gathering are strictly prohibited without prior permission by form of Kent County Special Event Permit.

4. Any approved Kent County Special Event Permit for use will be posted with specific date of event for public notice prior to the event.

5. All park facilities are "carry -in, carry-out" facilities. Please remove all trash upon your departure.

6. Amplified music (boom boxes, DJ services, PA systems, etc.) are prohibited.

Drones & Aircraft

RC Airplanes May Be Authorized in County Parks...

On October 15th, 2019, Kent County Levy Court authorized the Department of Community Services, Parks and Recreation Division to approve, and issue Permits for the operation of Remote-Controlled Airplanes in County Parks, expressly limited to electric motored Remote Controlled Model Airplanes, and restricted to use and flying only at the south field at Kesselring County Park, southeast field at Big Oak County Park, and the north field at Browns Branch County Park. Use of authorized Remote Controlled Airplanes shall comply at all times with the Special Regulations for Operation of Remote Controlled Airplanes promulgated by the Department of Community Services. Please print out and return this brochure if you are interested: RC Airplane Brochure(PDF, 474KB)  

Rules Enforcement

Parks and Recreation Commission

Park Rules

Kent County does not issue permits for private exclusive use of pavilions. All pavilions can be used by the general public and cannot be reserved, roped off, covered, decorated, etc. in advance of your intended use. Patrons cannot deny the use of pavilion tables if not immediately occupied. Seating is limited

Kent County Parks are “carry-in, carry-out” facilities. Patrons are responsible for removing their trash when they leave the park. Small trash bags are available at each park for your convenience.

Drugs, alcoholic beverages, and weapons are prohibited. Lewd behavior and obscene language is prohibited. No solicitation or vending without official Kent County permit. Use of metal detectors and the removal of antiquities are prohibited.

 

All persons using park facilities do so at their own risk.

Pets

Kent County provides pet waste bags at each of its parks. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pet(s) and removing waste from the park.

Dogs must be on a connecting leash and not pose a threat to any person. No golf or equestrian activities.

Latest Updates

 

Quick Links

Back to top