Commercial Group Use of Parks

Town of Cary

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What is the commercial use of park property?

Any activity conducted for pecuniary or commercial gain, including private lessons, classes, or group activities where the lesson, class, or activity has a fee or other monetary barrier to entry (including donations) is a commercial use of park property. "Commercial use" also includes any lesson, class, or commercial activities taking place on park property that is associated with any trade, occupation, profession, business, or franchise.

Do I need to apply?

Commercial groups consisting of six or more people meeting at once must submit for a parking permit. A completed permit application must be submitted for each park used for commercial use. A submitted application does not constitute an approval. A rental contract must be completed, and a fee must be submitted. Fill out the application online.

Exemption to the permit.

Non-commercial groups: free to the public to attend (no fee, donation, or membership)
Small use groups: five or fewer attendees at any session, (i.e. dog obedience, 1:1 fitness class)

FAQs and Additional Information

Is my request guaranteed?

Does my permit grant exclusive use of the property?

What sites are available?

A commercial use permit gives you access to run approved commercial activities only at the park for which a permit was submitted and fee paid. Not all parks and spaces are suitable for all group sizes and activities. Existing activities, rentals, Cary programs, and park users should not be impacted by the permit holder. Check the town calendar for major events.

Disruption to existing park activities will lead to a commercial pass being revoked. Use of non-approved parks will lead to a commercial pass being revoked.

What space in the park am I approved to use?

What is the permit application fee?

What are the insurance requirements?

Vendor at its own expense shall procure and maintain for the term of this agreement the insurance as set forth below. Cary, its officers, employees, and agents must be named as an additional insured on all policies. Evidence of insurance shall be supplied by filing a certificate of insurance with Cary, issued no later than the signing date of this agreement:

A general liability insurance policy with the minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence and a combined aggregate limit of two million dollars ($2,000,000.00).
Contractor shall provide a statement by the insurance company that it will not cancel or fail or refuse to renew a policy or policies without giving thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Town.
A policy or policies of statutory Worker’s Compensation insurance (including occupational disease hazards) insuring its employees in an amount equal to or greater than Worker’s Compensation statutory benefits and employer’s liability with limits not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) .

Does the reservation include a shelter?

What are the parking restrictions?

Can I store equipment on site?

What are the rules on amplified sound?

No amplified sound/music equipment and/or devices that project sound can be used for entertainment. The only approved equipment allowed during permitted events are small personal radios, compact disc players, or streaming devices. These devices must be kept at a level of sound that cannot be heard from more than 50 feet from the permitted area and cannot exceed the maximum sound levels specified under the Cary Code of Ordinances.

Is there access to water?

Are vending or concession sales permitted?

Are there any restricted activities?

Use requests that conflict with existing programs and activities on Town property will not be approved. This includes youth and adult sports leagues, and Cary community recreation programs. Cary reserves the right to deny any space use requests.

Activities should take place in open green spaces within the park.

Pedestrian or traffic flow around the park should not be interrupted.

Any items moved within the park (i.e. picnic tables should be returned to their original space)