Park Rentals

The Parks and Recreation Department has pavilions available to rent for a special occasion.

The City of Sterling Heights Parks System offers individuals and groups the opportunity to engage in recreation, fitness, wellness and leisure activities.  With the exception of the Farmer’s Market pavilion, which is not available to be reserved for private events, park pavilions are otherwise available to be reserved for recreational functions, which includes birthday parties, family gatherings, picnics, barbecues, graduation parties, and other recreational activities consistent with the goal of the parks to promote family friendly activities and recreational opportunities.

A Picnic Pavilion Permit is required for reservation of the Pavilion and is only valid for the date noted on the permit.

Sterling Heights Residents with valid proof of residency may make pavilion reservations for 2023 beginning Monday, February 27, 2023 and non-residents may begin registering on Monday, March 13, 2023.
 
On Monday, February 27, 2023, “lottery numbers” will be distributed to Sterling Heights residents at the Community Center located at 40250 Dodge Park by an authorized Parks and Recreation staff member between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.  Following immediately at 8:05 a.m., a random lottery drawing will take place among the numbers distributed to determine the order in which customers may register for their pavilion. Please note that anyone arriving after 8 a.m. will not be entered into the lottery, but may return at 2 p.m. on registration day to check availability and secure a pavilion. (The office will open at 9 a.m. on March 13, 2023 for the non-resident registration period.) We have also limited the number of pavilions an individual may register for on registration day, which is two (2) per person. You are now permitted to reserve one pavilion for personal use and one pavilion for your business or organization.

To see if a specific date is available for rent at one of our pavilions, visit the Pavilion Calendar.
 
Please come prepared with proof of residency so we can ensure that Sterling Heights residents are receiving the preferred booking window benefit. All reservations must be done in person at the Community Center located at 40250 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights 48313. The Administration office is open Monday-Friday excluding holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. excluding holidays.

Below are some highlighted items for you to review:

• A $100 refundable security deposit will be required at the time of your reservation rental request. The pavilion will be inspected by renter and Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation staff at the start and conclusion of event. The security deposit will be refunded in full by credit card refund* or by city check within 4-6 weeks only once it is determined that the pavilion was left in the same condition as the start and that there is no damage. *Credit card security deposits will be refunded within one week following the event date. If we are unable to process a refund to your credit card, a check will be mailed in 4-6 weeks following the event date.
• At the time of your rental request, you will be required to provide us with an arrival and departure time for your event.  This will allow for our park staff to meet you on site to inspect the pavilion at your arrival and also review the site upon your departure, which is required to refund the security deposit.

As we move forward with the 2023 Pavilion rental season, it is very important to note that the Parks and Recreation Department will continue to strictly adhere to any guidelines for capacity limitations at outdoor gatherings. All renters must be prepared to make changes in order to be in compliance with current capacity regulations at the time of your rental date. By completing a reservation and making payment, you are accepting these terms and understand the risk associated with booking a pavilion through the Parks and Recreation Department. Please be advised that we will not be issuing full refunds to renters based on limited capacity issues. If you are unable to hold your event based on guidelines in place on the date of your rental, you will be subjected to our standard refund policy. Full refunds will only be given in the event that pavilions are closed down completely by the City in order to comply with state guidelines.

The following information is subject to change according to state guidelines and city policy regarding capacity guidelines: Dodge Park Pavilion #1 has 15 tables with seating for 116, Dodge Park Pavilion #2 has 12 tables with seating for 100 and Dodge Park Pavilion #4 has 4 tables with seating for 30. Barbecue grills are adjacent to the pavilions. Electricity is only available at Dodge Park pavilions #1 and # 2. The covered pavilion at Nelson Park has 8 tables for a seating capacity of 62 people. The covered pavilion at Farmstead Park has 6 tables for a seating capacity of 46 people.  All pavilions listed above have at least one table that is wheelchair accessible. Water is not available at any location.

Reservations must be made in advance and in person at the Sterling Heights Parks & Recreation Department Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. only (excluding holidays). The office is in the Community Center located at 40250 Dodge Park Road. Phone reservations are NOT accepted.  Payment in full, the security deposit, and a photo I.D. are required at the time of reservation.

Reservation of a park pavilion is not permitted for non-recreational activities, which include, but are not limited to commercial events, religious services, political fundraising, and/or meetings or gatherings whose primary purpose is to promote or raise funds for a political candidate, party organization, issue, or other political matter.

Large events, may need to complete the Special Event Permit Application in addition to the pavilion rental form, depending on the size and scope of the recreational event.

Refunds for up to one-half the rental rate are only given for cancellations received a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the scheduled reservation date.  No refunds are given because of inclement weather. 

Consumption of alcoholic beverages in Dodge Park or Farmstead Park is prohibited unless an Alcoholic Beverage Permit is obtained at the Sterling Heights Police Department prior to the picnic. NO EXCEPTIONS. Alcohol Permits are provided at the Records Division of the Police Department for an additional fee. Call (586) 446-2900 for details.  All other parks prohibit alcohol.

The picnic pavilion area must be left in a clean, litter free, and orderly condition. It is prohibited for any decorations to be taped, nailed or hung from the pavilion structure. Decorations are allowed on tables only and must be removed completely upon the conclusion of your event, including any tape used to secure table coverings. The use of confetti is strictly prohibited in all parks.

The Picnic Pavilion Permit does not give the holder any rights other than the exclusive use of the picnic pavilion for the reservation period.

An additional $100 refundable security deposit will be required at the time of your reservation rental request.  The security deposit will be refunded in full by credit card refund* or by city check within 4-6 weeks only once it is determined that the pavilion was left in the same condition as the start and that there is no damage. *Credit card security deposits will be refunded within one week following the event date. If we are unable to process a refund to your credit card, a check will be mailed in 4-6 weeks following the event date.

Pavilion rentals are for the entirety of a day, which is 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (April through September) and 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (October through March). Rental paperwork displayed at the pavilion will identify the expected time to be used in the pavilion by the renters, but their access is exclusive for the entire day if desired.

To see if a specific date is available for rent at one of our pavilions, visit the Pavilion Calendar.

Please note that smoking, vaping and hookah use is prohibited under all pavilions. To view other park rules and regulations, click here.

How to reserve a pavilion

Reservations must be made in person at the Parks and Recreation office located in the Community Center, 40250 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays only (excluding holidays). Proof of residency is required when making a reservation. Renters must be at least 18 years of age to rent a pavilion.

Payment in full and a photo I.D. are required at the time of reservation. Forms of payment accepted are check, cash and credit cards (Mastercard, Visa and Discover). An additional $100 refundable security deposit will be required at the time of your reservation rental request.  The security deposit will be refunded in full by credit card refund* or by city check within 4-6 weeks only once it is determined that the pavilion was left in the same condition as the start and that there is no damage. *Credit card security deposits will be refunded within one week following the event date. If we are unable to process a refund to your credit card, a check will be mailed in 4-6 weeks following the event date.

Refunds of up to one-half the rental rate are available but must be requested at least seven days prior to the reservation date. There are no refunds if the request is made less than seven days prior to the reservation date. There are no refunds due to inclement weather.