Outdoor picnic shelters
Lakewood residents and Lakewood-based community organizations may reserve outdoor picnic shelters for weekend and holiday gatherings. Proof of residency is required.
Outdoor picnic shelters are available at nine Lakewood community parks. All shelters are covered and include picnic tables and barbecue grills. Some shelters also have preparation tables. Electricity is not available in the shelters.
There is no charge for Lakewood residents and Lakewood community organizations to reserve a picnic shelter. Reservations may be made up to two months in advance.
How to reserve an outdoor picnic shelter
Picnic shelter reservations are available for weekends and holidays only.
Through May 31, 2026: Reservation requests must be made in person at the park where the shelter is located.
Starting June 1, 2026: Reservation requests for all outdoor picnic shelters will be made in person at the Recreation and Community Services counter at City Hall.
If you have questions, or would like to check picnic shelter availability, please contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-866-9771, ext. 2408 or email rcsfacilities@lakewoodca.gov.
- Applicants must be 21 years of age or older.
- Reservation requests are accepted no more than two months before the requested date.
- Reservation requests are accepted until the close of business on the Tuesday before the requested weekend or holiday.
- Shelters not reserved by the close of business on the Tuesday before the requested weekend or holiday will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- A Community Services Supervisor must approve all shelter reservation requests.
- Liability insurance is not required for picnic shelter reservations.
If you need an alternative to making a reservation in person because of a disability, contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at
562-866-9771, ext. 2408 or
AccessRecreation@lakewoodca.gov to request assistance.
Reservation requirements
- Picnic shelter reservations are available to Lakewood residents and Lakewood-based community organizations for weekends and holidays only.
- Reservations are limited to one picnic shelter space per Lakewood resident or Lakewood group at any given time.
- Multiple reservations on the same day are not allowed.
- Picnic shelters are available for reservation once per day and cannot be booked by multiple groups or for multiple time slots.
- Each shelter has a maximum capacity. The total number of expected guests may not exceed the shelter’s maximum capacity.
- A shelter permit will not be issued to a group if the number of expected guests exceeds the maximum capacity of the shelter.
See the sidebar for reservation times.
Rules and prohibited items
All permit holders approved for facility use must follow these rules:
- Intoxicants, narcotics, alcoholic beverages and persons under the influence of these substances are not permitted. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4500.
- Portable barbecues, grills, smokers, cooking equipment, fire pits and hibachis are not permitted. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4220.H.
- Profane language, gambling, quarreling, loud music or similar behavior is not allowed. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4220.J.
- Helium balloons are prohibited. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4220.J.
- Canopies larger than 10 feet by 10 feet are prohibited. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4220.J.
- Dogs are prohibited at city parks except at Rynerson Park and the Nature Trail. At Rynerson Park and the Nature Trail, dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4222.
- Pets, animals and reptiles are prohibited. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 92-9.
- Vehicles are not allowed to drive onto park grounds. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4220.1.
- Inflatable bouncers, carnival rides, pony rides, generators and camping tents are not allowed. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4220.J.
- Do not rope off areas with pennants, tape, rope or similar materials. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4220.J.
- It is unlawful to remain in any park or recreation area when ordered to leave. Lakewood Municipal Code Section 4220.2.
Outdoor picnic shelter raffle
To ensure fair access, a randomized online raffle is held for weekend picnic shelter reservations at the two-month mark. After each raffle, any remaining availability is released on a first-come, first-served basis.
The online raffle is open to Lakewood residents only. Proof of residency is required.
- Raffles open on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. at least two months before each reservation weekend and close the following Sunday at 11 p.m.
- Winners are notified on the next business day after the raffle closes.
- The city may exclude certain facilities from the raffle due to previously scheduled city events or existing partnerships.
- Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day are included in the online raffle due to high demand.
View the raffle schedule to find the entry period for your preferred reservation date, then submit your entry while the raffle is open.
Raffle entry and schedule