Please note: A number of our Parks will be CLOSED this weekend, Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 December 2024 due to the forecast high winds.

Other facilities may close at short notice for public and/or staff safety if required.

Parks and Open Spaces

Can I book a Council owned park?

Photograph of Woollen Woods at Diamond Jubilee Wood, Whitehead

Our parks and open spaces in Mid and East Antrim are clean, safe, welcoming and full of character – a fantastic resource should you wish to hold an event on site.

All events now need an application form to be completed and charges will be applied to all applications, as agreed by Council, effective from the 1 April 2017.

To book any park or open space please complete an event application form (PDF 229KB)  and send completed application forms along with any accompanying scanned documents to E: parks@midandeastantrim.gov.uk at least 4 weeks in advance of the event.

Please note:

  • Memorials and/or Commemorations are not classed as an event and has a separate application form which is also available below.
    This application form should be sent to the contact details as per above.
  • Council has a ban on balloon and sky lantern releases.
    They litter the environment, causing death to wildlife and in the case of sky lanterns, can cause uncontrollable fires that destroy life and property.
  • Having taken advice from our insurers, Council can no longer facilitate requests for tables, chairs, stages, gazebos, barriers and similar items for third party events.
  • A charge will be applied to all applications.
  • Please read our Memorials & Commemorations Policy framework prior to submitting an application.

Event Charges

Payment

An invoice will be issued to the event organisers for the applicable bond and site fee, these must be paid prior to the event taking place.

Refundable Bond

In addition to the site fee, a refundable bond is required to ensure any damage caused as a result of the event occurring can be resolved.

A site inspection will take place after the event, providing there is no damage to the site the bond will be refunded to the event organiser.

Scale of charges in relation to events

Capacity

Category

Application Fees

5,000+

Major Event (Tier 1)

Cost decided on consideration of application

2,000 – 4,999

Large Scale Event (Tier 2)

Cost decided on consideration of application

1,000 - 2,000

Medium-scale Event (tier 3)
Up to 5 hours

£500 + VAT

100 - 1,000

Small-scale Event (Tier 4)
Up to 5 hours

£250 + VAT

Less than 100 Local Event using small section of site with no closure and no facilities £10 per hour
Special Rate Local Community, Charity, Youth or Education No fee

Where the event being booked is a ticketed concert, additional charges may apply.    

* The Mayor’s Charity is exempt from this fee.

Payments should be made online using the secure Payments Service on the GOV.UK website