Whether you have a reservation at a City of Boise facility or are visiting on a drop-in basis, we hope you have a safe and pleasant experience. All applicable park policies are listed on this webpage to help guide you during your visit.
Park Use Policies
Park Hours
Hours at City of Boise parks are sunrise to sunset daily unless otherwise posted.
Reservation Cancellation Policy
A refund is only provided if the user is canceling at least 10 calendar days prior to the event, at which time a $15 processing fee will be collected. Refunds or reschedules are not granted due to poor weather conditions or acts of nature. An event cannot be rescheduled within 10 calendar days of the reservation. Park reservation season is from April 15 to October 15 annually.
Park Policies
Park users are required to follow and abide by Idaho State Code, Boise City Ordinances and the Boise Parks and Recreation Park Use Policy. Park policies are posted at restrooms and shelters and are enforced. Violators will be cited. For more information regarding Boise City Code, click here.
Alcohol Use
Unless otherwise posted or stated in Boise City Code, beer and wine is permitted in most parks. All other alcoholic beverages are not permitted unless the location is a licensed premise or allowed by Boise City Code. Having more than 7.5 gallons of beer and/or wine per person, group, or event requires a permit application to be filled out and a fee to be paid. Alcoholic beverages may only be possessed and consumed by someone 21 years of age and older.
Beer and/or wine are not permitted in the following areas:
- Any street, parking lot, restroom, pathway, playground, swimming pool, youth community center, skate park, archery range, cemeteries, bike skills facility, or youth sports complex
- Bernadine Quinn Riverside Park and Quinn’s Pond
- Idaho Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park
- McAuley Park
- Shoreline Park
- Along the Boise River Greenbelt, including the area within 250 feet of the Greenbelt
Beer and/or wine are permitted in the following areas with a park reservation:
- Ann Morrison Park Old Timer’s Shelter
- Boise Depot and Platt Gardens
- Boise Urban Garden School
- Borah Park
- Cecil D. Andrus Park
- C.W. Moore Park
- Dick Eardley Senior Center
- Esther Simplot Park
- Idaho IceWorld
- Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center
- Julia Davis Park
- Kathryn Albertson Park
- Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park (certain sites, not all)
- Marianne Williams Park Gazebo
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Willow Lane Athletic Complex
BBQ Equipment
BBQs and gas grills cannot be placed near any tree trunk or under the branches of any tree in a city park. BBQ equipment must include a drip pan and must be self-contained.
Canopy, Tent or Kiosks
Placement requires approval from Boise Parks and Recreation prior to the event. To avoid damage to electrical, irrigation and water lines, canopies must be weighted instead of staked. A permit from the Boise Fire Department is required for tents, canopies, and awnings over 400 square feet.
Cleanliness
Cleanliness is the responsibility of all park users. Please deposit trash in the receptacles provided. If trash receptacles are full, trash is to be removed from the park by the user. Additional fees may be charged for debris or damages to a City of Boise park.
Confetti and Decorations
- Confetti, bird seed, popcorn, rice etc. are not permitted in city parks. Bubbles are acceptable.
- Decorations must be self-supporting or must be tied to a structure.
- All decorations must be removed at the end of the event.
Dogs or Domestic Pets
- Unless otherwise posted or stated in Boise City Code, pets are permitted in most parks, but must be on a leash. Pet owners are required to clean up after their pets. Pets should not harass, stalk or chase waterfowl, other animals or humans. For more information on dog off-leash parks and areas, click here.
Pets are not permitted in the following areas:
- Bernardine Quinn Riverside Park and Quinn's Pond
- BMX Park at Willow Lane Athletic Complex
- Boise Depot/Platt Gardens
- Charles F. McDevitt Sports Complex (March 1-October 31)
- Esther Simplot Park and Ponds (with the exception of the Greenbelt Pathway)
- Fort Boise Military Cemetery
- Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve
- A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation Bike Park
- Marianne Williams Park (with the exception of the Greenbelt Pathway)
- Morris Hill Cemetery
- Optimist Youth Sports Complex (September 1 - October 31 and March 1 - May 31)
- Pioneer Cemetery
- Simplot Sports Complex
- Skate Parks
- Veterans Memorial Park Pond
- Willow Lane Athletic Complex (March 1-October 31)
Electrical Power
Electrical power is available with a paid reservation at most reservable park sites, except for the Marianne Williams Park gazebo and garden reservation sites.
Fireworks
Fireworks as defined by Boise City Code are prohibited.
Garden Reservations
- In order to protect and preserve the natural beauty of these areas, Esther Simplot Park Friendship Island, the Julia Davis Rose Garden and Kathryn Albertson Park are available to reserve for ceremonies only. Up to 10 chairs may be hand carried in and out of garden locations. Chairs must be placed on paved or brick surfaces.
- Photographers and their subjects must remain on manicured turf and paved or brick surfaces at all times
Glass
Glass is not permitted in City of Boise parks.
Inflatables
Inflatable structures or other similar apparatus are allowed in City of Boise parks with a permit. Inflatable structures that required water are not permitted. Structures must be rented from a city-approved equipment provider and must be free standing, weighted, and have a generator for power. You do not need a park reservation to have an inflatable at your drop-in event.
Parking
Vehicles can be parked in designated parking spaces at City of Boise parks during park hours (posted at all park sites). Vehicles parked in non-designated areas and left in the park after hours or overnight may be towed. If a vehicle has been towed, please contact Boise Valley Towing at 208-389-9707.
Picnic Tables
Do not remove picnic tables from pavilions, shelters and designated picnic sites. For an additional fee, extra tables are available with a reservation at Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park, Julia Davis Park and Ann Morrison Park.
Smoking in the Parks
Per Boise City Code, smoking is not permitted except in designated smoking areas in Ann Morrison Park, Julia Davis Park, and at Quail Hollow and Warm Springs Golf Courses.
Sound Amplification
Sound cannot exceed 62 decibels at a distance of 20 feet unless you have a permit. Amplified sound is available in some parks and requires a park reservation, a permit and a paid fee.
Speed
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in Boise parks is 15 miles per hour.
Trees
Damaging trees on park property is not permitted. This includes attaching signs or related hardware (ropes, wires, nails, etc.) to any tree. It is also not permitted to tie/lock animals or bicycles to trees.
Vehicles
Vehicles, including concession trailers, delivery and catering trucks, are only allowed on paved roads or parking areas in city parks.
Water
Water amenities such as commercial misters, dunk tanks, water slides, kiddie pools, etc. are not permitted in City of Boise parks. Depositing ice and any grey or wastewater on the grass, sidewalks, in waste receptacles, dumpsters, city planters, gutters, or in the street drainage system is not permitted.
Wildlife
Please refrain from feeding or disturbing wildlife in Boise parks.