The spacious parks of the Elmhurst Park District offer individuals and groups ideal sites for picnicking. Picnickers will enjoy the natural beauty of the parks as well as the conveniences and facilities provided in various picnic areas by the Park District.
Individual Sites
Many parks in the Elmhurst Park District have areas designated for small group picnics. These individual picnic areas can accommodate a family or group of up to eight people. Usually, these picnic areas feature one permanent picnic table on a concrete pad and a nearby grill. Reservations are not taken for these picnic areas - they are available on a first-come, first served basis.
Special Use Permits
Special use permits are required for requesting use of a special activity or large-scale events (i.e. craft fair, parade, run/walk, concerts, events with tents/structures, etc.) Applications must be approved by the executive director. A non-refundable usage fee will be charged per priority use as well as a refundable security deposit. A certificate of insurance naming the Park District as additional insured must be on file before a permit is issued. Call (630) 993-8900 for detailed information. Download the Special Use Permit form. Email application to registration [at] epd.org.
Large Group Picnics
Large group picnic areas are available at Berens Park, Salt Creek Park and Wilder Park. Large groups can be guaranteed exclusive use of designated picnic areas by reserving a picnic area online or downloading and filling out the Picnic Permit Application. Email application to registration [at] epd.org.
It may not be possible to place every group in the area of their choice because of scheduling conflicts between picnickers, park users and neighboring residents. District staff will work with your group to find a suitable area.
School Picnics/Field Days
Elmhurst parks provide an excellent locale for school picnics, field days and special events. School Permits are available at no charge for those school groups residing within Elmhurst. The fee for non-resident schools is $40. Authorized name, signature and designation of both the applicant and a school official are necessary when completing the application. Applicable site plans and/or details should be included. A certificate of insurance naming the Elmhurst Park District as a “Certificate Holder” and “Additional Insured” must be attached. Completed forms may be emailed to registration [at] epd.org.
Picnic Permits and Fees
Requests for large group picnic permits for resident groups are being accepted as of the first business day in January. Applications will be accepted until 8 am on the third Monday in January and processed by random draw. Once this procedure is completed, resident requests will be processed daily in the order received.
NEW IN 2023 - Picnic permits can also be reserved online. Special Use and School Permit requests should still be completed with a form.
Requests from non-resident groups will be accepted and processed beginning the first business day in February. Reservations are only available for large group picnics scheduled from mid-May until the end of October.
If you don't want to reserve online you can instead download a Picnic Permit Application.
| Picnic Area Fees | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter - Holiday | $106 | $165 |
| Shelter - Saturday/Sunday | $106 | $165 |
| Shelter - Weekday | $40 | $135 |
| Open Area - Holiday | $84 | $145 |
| Open Area - Saturday/Sunday | $84 | $145 |
| Open Area- Weekday | Free | $125 |
| Elmhurst Schools - Weekday | Free | N/A |
| Non-Resident School Groups - Weekday | $50 |
All permits will require a $100 refundable deposit regardless of residence status. Refunds will be issued 5-7 business days after rental. Permit fees are charged for reserved picnics on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Non-resident groups are charged the regular fee throughout the week and non-resident school groups will be charged $40 for each picnic site.
To receive the resident rate for the permit, the person applying for the permit must be an EPD resident and must be present at the picnic site. Non-resident groups are charged a slightly higher fee. A separate fee will be charged for the picnic shelter at Butterfield and Salt Creek Parks. Refunds will not be issued for cancellation, inclement weather, etc.
Picnic Area Capacity
The Park District has established a picnic area carrying capacity for each group picnic area. This carrying capacity (see charts) is the approximate maximum number of picnickers which an area is able to accommodate and the appropriate number of tables, grills, and barrels that are placed in each picnic area. Each large group picnic site is located within walking distance to water and restrooms.
| Location | Area | Capacity | Tables | Grills | Barrels | Restrooms | Play Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilder Park | Area #5 - Yellow | 50 | 17 | 1 | 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Wilder Park | Area #6 - Blue | 50 | 18 | 1 | 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Wilder Park | Area #7 - Green | 50 | 24 | 1 | 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Berens Park | Area #4 - Red | 35 | 19 | 0 | 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Salt Creek Park | Area #1 - Red | 50 | 20 | 2 | 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Salt Creek Park | Shelter #3 - Green | 150 | 39 | 2 | 5 | Yes | Yes |
| Butterfield Park | Shelter #9 - Red | 40 | 10 | 1 | 3 | Yes | Yes |
Picnic Area Regulations
Applications for resident large picnic group permits will be accepted the first business day in January. Applications will be accepted until 8 a.m. on the third Monday in January and processed by random draw. Picnic shelters and picnic areas can be rented between 8:00 a.m.-Dusk seven days a week from May-October.
A completed application, signed waiver, rental fee, and deposit must be submitted at least 72 hours prior to the requested rental date. In some cases, a Certificate of Insurance is required.
Approved Permits must be picked up in person at Wagner Community Center, 615 N West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL, 60126.
All rules, regulations and directions of the Park District Park Ambassador or his/her representative must be followed. Permit holders are responsible for planning and supervising the event in accordance with park district ordinances. Failure to do so may result in withholding of deposit. The Park Ambassador/District staff has the authority to implement and enforce rules that are more stringent or supplement those listed here:
- The applicant submitting a request must be a minimum of 21 years of age. Permit holder is responsible for the conduct of the members of their group.
- Designated picnic areas are marked. Picnic tables are not to be moved from their designated area.
- Permit holders have priority over non-permitted groups. If a problem occurs, contact the Wagner Community Center at (630) 993-8900 or the Park Ambassador at (630) 675-4491.
- Motorized vehicles are not allowed to drive into the park. This includes unloading of supplies and any event setup that is required.
- Food trucks are not permitted in the parks.
- All bounce houses and inflatables are not permitted in the parks.
- Tents larger than 10x10 are not permitted in the parks.
- Alcohol, tobacco use, and controlled substances are prohibited in all district parks.
- To prevent fires and damage to property, wood fires (campfires) and fire pits are prohibited on district property.
- Portable grills are permitted in the parks. Charcoal grills must be 22.5 inches or less in diameter and are only permitted in locations with coal bins. Coals must be completely extinguished and placed in the coal bins provided by the district. Gas grills must have a tank less than 20 pounds. Do not place grills onto picnic tables.
- Garbage cans are located at each picnic area. If garbage cans/bags provided will not be sufficient, it is the renter’s responsibility to provide extra garbage cans/bags. All garbage must be bagged and disposed of in one area. Please be considerate of the next group.
- Amplified sound is prohibited in all district parks.
- Having caterers prepare and/or serve food in the park requires appropriate certificates of insurance naming the Elmhurst Park District as an Additional Insured and Certificate Holder. Food trucks are not permitted.
- Photos and videos are periodically taken of people participating in Park District programs and activities. All persons registering for Park District programs/activities, or using Park District property thereby agrees that any photograph or videotape taken by the Park District may be used by the Park District for promotional purposes including its promotional videotapes, brochures, flyers and other publications without additional, prior notice or permission and without compensation to the participant.
- Parks close at dusk.
Park Ambassador
The park ambassador will be on duty from April through October to assist residents within the parks, monitor park policies and oversee activity at the picnic areas. You may spot a park ambassador in uniform (bright red Park District shirt). For information about the program or to speak to a park ambassador regarding park issues, call (630) 675-4491 or email parkambassador [at] epd.org.
