Park Guidelines
Picnic shelter applicants are responsible for following the park rules as established by the cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka. For a complete listing of park rules, call 952-939-8390.
- A permit is required to reserve a picnic shelter at a park facility for groups of 25 people or more.
- Permit holders must be 18 years of age or older to reserve a facility, 21 years of age or older if obtaining a beer permit as well.
- Applications must be received at least seven days in advance of your requested date. Shelters are not reserved until payment has been received.
- The renter whose name is on this permit must be present at the event the entire time and is the "Responsible Person."
- The renter must have the issued permit in possession, either printed out or have access to their permit via email to display it upon the request of authorized city personnel.
- The picnic shelter permit gives exclusivity to the use of the shelter reserved; the rest of the park remains open to the public.
Not allowed during private rentals in parks
Bounce houses or inflatables of any kind; dunk tanks; live bands; staking of tents or nets that could damage irrigation systems; and confetti, color powder “cannons”, piñatas or similar items leaving a mess and requiring clean-up. Decorations must not be nailed, tacked or taped to shelter structure.
Clean up
Renter is required to clean up shelter area after their event. Renter may be charged a fee up to $100 for excessive clean-up of picnic shelter area.
Music
Must be set at a reasonable level and not travel beyond 50 feet of the reserved picnic shelter.
Reservation priority policy
Applications for the 2026 summer season are accepted beginning January 2026.
Refunds and cancelations
Renters who cancel/change the shelter reservation at least 30 days prior to the reservation date will receive a refund, minus a $10 administration fee. Cancelations or changes made less than 30 days before reservation date will not be refunded.
Refunds will not be granted due to a weather-related issue. This is a circumstance beyond our control and is a risk assumed by the applicant when reserving an outdoor shelter.
Beer permits
- Beer permits can only be issued between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- Minimum of seven-day advance notice required to request a beer permit.
- The beer permit allows beer, seltzers, wine or champagne in non-glass containers to be consumed within 50 feet of the picnic shelter and picnic tables and is not allowed on any playing field.
- Beer and wine are prohibited between the hours of 9 p.m. and 10 a.m.
- Keg beer is PROHIBITED for Hopkins shelter reservations.
- The renter whose name is on the picnic shelter permit, must be the same person purchasing the beer permit.
