Host an Event in a Park

Reduce waste and keep parks clean

Help keep your park clean and beautiful by reducing waste at your event. Here are some simple steps you can take:

Use reusable products

Pack and bring reusable items like:

• Utensils
• Dishes
• Containers
• Bags
• Straws
• Napkins

Pack out what you pack in

Ensure your event leaves no trace by setting up designated bins for garbage and recycling. After your event, pack out of the park all waste and dispose of it appropriately. This includes:

• food wrappers and packaging
• food scraps
• take-out containers and pizza boxes
• decorations

While our parks have garbage cans, they aren't designed to handle large amounts of waste from group gatherings and events. By packing out your waste, you help keep the parks clean and safe for wildlife. Plus, you can sort recyclables at home instead of sending them to the landfill.

Items to Avoid in Parks

To protect the environment, please avoid bringing the following items:

• Single-use plastics (cutlery, stir sticks, beverage containers)
• Styrofoam
• Balloons
• Confetti
• Disposable napkins

These items can harm wildlife, clog storm drains, and are difficult to clean up. Your effort to reduce waste makes a big difference!

Thank you for helping us keep parks beautiful!

Required documentation for service providers

If you are hiring a service provider for your event (e.g., bouncy castles, photo booths, face painting, magicians, catering, or food trucks), the following documentation will be required:

• $5,000,000 Liability Insurance: The insurance must name the City of Surrey as an additional insured and include the name of the park where your event will take place. The policy should be issued to the City of Surrey. 
• City of Surrey Business License: Your Service Provider must have a valid Business License issued by the City of Surrey.
• Completed Hold Harmless Agreement: The Hold Harmless Agreement must be signed and submitted.
• Event Permit (if applicable): If your event requires a permit, please ensure you have it available on the day of the event.

Catering

If you wish to have your event catered, please note the following:

• The caterer must not solicit or advertise business within the park.
• The caterer may only serve food to guests who are part of your event.

Respect designated areas

To help protect our natural spaces, please follow these guidelines:

• Stay on designated trails and open lawn areas (mowed grassy areas that are not sports fields or tall grass meadows, which are important for ground-nesting birds and wildlife).
• Stay out of: garden beds, forested areas, and tall grass meadows.

These guidelines are in place to protect environmentally sensitive areas from trampling, erosion, and loss of biodiversity. 

Your cooperation helps preserve the health and beauty of our parks for future generations!

Photography in Surrey's parks

Professional and group photography is allowed in Surrey's parks provided you follow these guidelines:

General guidelines (all sites)

• Stay on designated trails and open lawn areas (mowed grassy areas that are not sports fields or tall grass meadows which are important for groundnesting birds and wildlife). Stay out of garden beds, forested areas and tall grass meadows.
• Do not use smoke bombs, coloured powder, or other such devices.
• Drones are not permitted in Surrey Parks without prior approval from the General Manager of Parks, Recreation & Culture. If you have been granted permission, you must carry your flight permit.

These guidelines are in place to protect environmentally sensitive areas from trampling, erosion and loss of biodiversity. By following them, you contribute to preserving the park's natural beauty, support local wildlife, and ensure an enjoyable experience of all visitors. 

Elgin Heritage Park and Historic Stewart Farm

A permit is required for professional and group photography.

Barbecuing in Surrey parks

You are welcome to use Natural gas, propane, or charcoal briquettes for barbecuing in Surrey parks as long as they are used in ULC/CSA-approved devices designed for those specific products.

Permitted areas

Barbecuing is only allowed at picnic table sites within Surrey parks.

Natural gas & propane

You may use natural gas and propane barbecues at any picnic table site.

Charcoal briquettes

• Charcoal briquettes are allowed only at picnic table sites that have City-sanctioned coal disposal containers.
• When the fire danger rating is High or Extreme, charcoal briquette barbecues are not permitted.

Find out where City-sanctioned coal disposal containers are.

Please follow these guidelines to ensure safety and protect the parks. Thank you for your cooperation!

Smoking and alcohol consumption

Smoking (including vaping) and the consuming of alcohol are not permitted in any Surrey park.

Event setup

Events can be set up in an available open lawn area, as long as it does not restrict access to other park visitors.  No special park access will be provided for event setup.

Tent and structure guidelines

You are allowed to use one 10x10 foot tent with tent weights (preferred) or small pegs (4-6 inches).

• Tents larger than 10x10 feet are not permitted in Surrey parks
• External structures such as arbours, or staged set ups for engagements, photography, weddings etc. are not permitted in Surrey parks

Thank you for following these guidelines to help preserve the park environment and enjoyment for all visitors.

Sound amplification

Amplification of sound, including microphones, speakers and megaphones, is not permitted in Surrey parks.

Parking is first-come, first-served.

Connect your class with nature in Surrey parks

Surrey Parks fosters connections to nature and is committed to building a legacy for future generations.

Notify us of your visit using the form below

You can host your school visit on a first-come, first-served basis, but you must notify us by filling out the web form below. Park spaces cannot be reserved. 

Plan your visit

Surrey has over  200 publicly-accessible parks that you can visit with your class—find nature trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, spray parks and more.

Additional Resources