City of Ithaca - Park Pavilion Rentals
2026 Pavilion Rental Season 4/12/26 - 10/19/26
To use any City of Ithaca park pavilion for a group function, party, or event—whether private or public—you must have:
How to Reserve a Pavilion
Submit Your Completed Form By:
Reservation Processing Order
On Opening Day of Reservations:
All forms are processed first come, first served based on full payment and completed paperwork.
General Rental Information
Park Rules & Hours
- An approved and paid reservation, and
- All required permits submitted and approved in advance.
How to Reserve a Pavilion
- Download the correct Pavilion Reservation Form (there is one form for Stewart Park Pavilions and one form for Cass Park Pavilions).
- Complete all sections of the form and answer every question.
- Check the fee schedule to determine the cost of your reservation.
- Pay the rental fee at the time of reservation.
- Include a credit card number (required even if paying by check/cash – used in lieu of deposit).
- Answer the rental questions based on your event plans.
- Review the park information and pavilion rules of use.
- Sign and date the form.
- Submit any permits or supporting documents before your event.
- Expect a call from staff to confirm your reservation, review rules, and finalize any permit needs.
Submit Your Completed Form By:
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: (607) 273-2817
- Mail or In Person:
Ithaca Youth Bureau
1 James L. Gibbs Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850
Reservation Processing Order
On Opening Day of Reservations:
- In-person forms are processed first
- Then emailed and faxed forms (in order received)
- Then mailed forms
All forms are processed first come, first served based on full payment and completed paperwork.
General Rental Information
- Phone reservations are not accepted
- You must reserve all pavilions and green space you plan to use
- Each pavilion has a maximum group capacity
- Rentals must be made for full-hour blocks
(Example: For an 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM event, list 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Park Rules & Hours
- Park hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Cass Park and Stewart Park)
- Carry In / Carry Out:
You must remove all trash, food, decorations, and recyclables - Clean-up violations may result in fees:
- Minimum $100 fee
- $50 per hour for staff time
- Dogs: Allowed on leashes (not allowed in bird sanctuaries)
- Parking: Only in designated lots — do not park on lawns or fields
- Prohibited items and activities include:
- Space heaters, propane/kerosene heaters
- Kiddie pools, bounce houses, dunk tanks
- Unauthorized vending or fundraising
- Only use painter’s tape or non-damaging adhesives
(Staples, nails, tacks, and glue are not allowed) - Keep picnic tables inside the pavilion and return them to original locations after use
- You are responsible for all set-up, clean-up, and garbage removal
****Important note: Due to construction on the Cass Park Large Pavilion, all Cass Park Pavilions will not be available for rent until August 15, 2026*****
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Cass Park Large Pavilion
This pavilion is located off Route 89 across from the inlet and next to the Ithaca Children's Garden. There are picnic grills, a bathroom, a drinking fountain, and playground all located near the pavilion. This pavilion has approximately 18 picnic tables, which seat 6-8 people, and can accommodate up to 110 people maximum.
This pavilion is located off Route 89 across from the inlet and next to the Ithaca Children's Garden. There are picnic grills, a bathroom, a drinking fountain, and playground all located near the pavilion. This pavilion has approximately 18 picnic tables, which seat 6-8 people, and can accommodate up to 110 people maximum.
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Cass Park Small Pavilion "Lions Pavilion"
This pavilion is located off Route 89 across from the inlet and next to the Large Pavilion (near the Ithaca Children's Garden). There are picnic grills, a bathroom, a drinking fountain, and playground all located near the pavilion. There will be approximately 3 picnic tables which can accommodate 6-8 people each, giving the pavilion a capacity of up to 20 people. There is no electric service or water hook up at the Small Pavilion.
This pavilion is located off Route 89 across from the inlet and next to the Large Pavilion (near the Ithaca Children's Garden). There are picnic grills, a bathroom, a drinking fountain, and playground all located near the pavilion. There will be approximately 3 picnic tables which can accommodate 6-8 people each, giving the pavilion a capacity of up to 20 people. There is no electric service or water hook up at the Small Pavilion.
Stewart Park Pavilions (Reservation Form)
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Stewart Park Large Pavilion "Picnic Pavilion"
The Stewart Park Large Pavilion is in the heart of Stewart Park just off the exit on Route 13. It is located near the front of the park beside the lake on the right as you enter. There are approximately 25 picnic tables inside the pavilion and several around the outside of the pavilion which seat 6-8 people each. There are also several picnic grills surrounding the pavilion. There is a ramp on the park entrance (northeast) side of pavilion. There are bathrooms located right inside the pavilion building. If you wish to use the BBQ Pavilion you must also rent it to utilize both of them.
The Stewart Park Large Pavilion is in the heart of Stewart Park just off the exit on Route 13. It is located near the front of the park beside the lake on the right as you enter. There are approximately 25 picnic tables inside the pavilion and several around the outside of the pavilion which seat 6-8 people each. There are also several picnic grills surrounding the pavilion. There is a ramp on the park entrance (northeast) side of pavilion. There are bathrooms located right inside the pavilion building. If you wish to use the BBQ Pavilion you must also rent it to utilize both of them.
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Stewart Park BBQ Pavilion
The Stewart Park BBQ Pavilion is in the heart of Stewart Park just off the exit on Route 13. It is located near the front of the park beside the lake on the right as you enter. There are approximately 7-8 picnic tables inside the BBQ pavilion and can accommodate up to 40 people maximum. Bathrooms are accessible at the park maintenance building on the east side of the building. This pavilion has no electric service or water hook ups. **PLEASE NOTE**: If you wish to use the BBQ Pavilion and the Stewart Park Large Pavilion, you must rent them both to utilize them. |
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Stewart Park Small Pavilion "Tea Pavilion"
The Stewart Park Small Pavilion is in the heart of Stewart Park just off the exit on Route 13. It is located toward the back of the park in the playground area. There are 9-12 picnic tables inside the pavilion and several around the outside of the pavilion which seat about 6-8 people each. The pavilion can accommodate up to 95 people maximum. There are also several picnic grills surrounding the pavilion for your cooking needs. Bathrooms are accessible at the park maintenance building on the east side of the building. There is electric service available but no water hookup. There is a wheelchair ramp on the west side of the pavilion from the parking lot.
The Stewart Park Small Pavilion is in the heart of Stewart Park just off the exit on Route 13. It is located toward the back of the park in the playground area. There are 9-12 picnic tables inside the pavilion and several around the outside of the pavilion which seat about 6-8 people each. The pavilion can accommodate up to 95 people maximum. There are also several picnic grills surrounding the pavilion for your cooking needs. Bathrooms are accessible at the park maintenance building on the east side of the building. There is electric service available but no water hookup. There is a wheelchair ramp on the west side of the pavilion from the parking lot.
Event Information
Permit Information
Amplified Sound including music, speakers, band, movies, etc. require a noise permit.
Tents and Canopies Installation of a tent or canopy having an area in excess of 400 square feet (20 x 20), shall not be erected for any purpose without first obtaining a permit for the event. Tents 10 x 10 or larger require you or the tent company to contact Dig Safely New York at least 2 working days before the tent installation. Call 811 or visit https://newyork-811.com
Mobile Vending Food trucks, food trailers and push carts operating on public property require a Mobile Vending Permit.
Public Assembly Any public gathering including parades, festivals, races, motorcades or assemblies of 50 or more persons shall constitute a presumption that such meeting will or can interfere with the use of public property by others and shall require a Public Assembly Permit.
Selling or providing of Alcohol Events that sell or provide alcohol require special permission and proof of a liquor license from NYS Liquor Authority and liquor liability insurance. You will be required to complete a Phase 1 Event Permit Application.
Larger or first-time events take more time to plan, please turn in your event application early for proper consideration and planning.
For more information about the Event Permit application process, please call Scott Rougeau, Event Permit Specialist at (607) 274-6579 or visit https://cityofithaca.org/522/Special-Events
Reservation Changes & Refunds
There is only one change of time/date allowed for any rental. This change must be made at least three weeks prior to the rental date. Additionally you will be charged the reservation change fee at the time of the reservation change.
Refunds and cancellations require advanced notice in writing at least three weeks prior to the rental date. All renters requested refunds and cancellations will be charged a 25% fee.
The City of Ithaca reserves the right to adjust or cancel all reservations at any time for any reason. If the City of Ithaca adjusts or cancels a reservation 100% of the reservation fee will be refunded. Any additional event costs related to the cancellation or adjustment will not be compensated by the City of Ithaca.
Responsibilities & Liability
- If your event is a festival, parade, race, fundraiser, concert, biking or walking event, and/or if your event is open to the public, you will need to complete an event application.
- If you will be using 3 or more of the following at your event: amplified sound, green space, vendors, selling alcohol or erecting tents, you will need to complete an event application.
- Events are required to rent all the pavilions in the park.
- Depending on the event and/or pavilion rental, a Certificate of Insurance may be required.
- Any portable toilets and tents must come down and be removed promptly at the end of your event
Permit Information
Amplified Sound including music, speakers, band, movies, etc. require a noise permit.
Tents and Canopies Installation of a tent or canopy having an area in excess of 400 square feet (20 x 20), shall not be erected for any purpose without first obtaining a permit for the event. Tents 10 x 10 or larger require you or the tent company to contact Dig Safely New York at least 2 working days before the tent installation. Call 811 or visit https://newyork-811.com
Mobile Vending Food trucks, food trailers and push carts operating on public property require a Mobile Vending Permit.
Public Assembly Any public gathering including parades, festivals, races, motorcades or assemblies of 50 or more persons shall constitute a presumption that such meeting will or can interfere with the use of public property by others and shall require a Public Assembly Permit.
Selling or providing of Alcohol Events that sell or provide alcohol require special permission and proof of a liquor license from NYS Liquor Authority and liquor liability insurance. You will be required to complete a Phase 1 Event Permit Application.
Larger or first-time events take more time to plan, please turn in your event application early for proper consideration and planning.
For more information about the Event Permit application process, please call Scott Rougeau, Event Permit Specialist at (607) 274-6579 or visit https://cityofithaca.org/522/Special-Events
Reservation Changes & Refunds
There is only one change of time/date allowed for any rental. This change must be made at least three weeks prior to the rental date. Additionally you will be charged the reservation change fee at the time of the reservation change.
Refunds and cancellations require advanced notice in writing at least three weeks prior to the rental date. All renters requested refunds and cancellations will be charged a 25% fee.
The City of Ithaca reserves the right to adjust or cancel all reservations at any time for any reason. If the City of Ithaca adjusts or cancels a reservation 100% of the reservation fee will be refunded. Any additional event costs related to the cancellation or adjustment will not be compensated by the City of Ithaca.
Responsibilities & Liability
- You are responsible for knowing and following all rules
- You may be charged for:
- Physical damage to the pavilion or park property
- Excessive garbage or cleanup
- City staff time for repairs or cleaning
- The City may require a security deposit or bond for future rentals
- By reserving a pavilion, you agree not to hold the City liable for accidents, injuries, or losses related to your event
Field Rentals
Cass Park fields and facilities may be reserved depending on availability and field conditions. Reserving groups will be required to pay the appropriate reservation fee and present a certificate of insurance with the City of Ithaca listed as "Additionally Insured." Learn more about field rentals.
