Department of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery - Fees & Charges Policy

Event Permits

1. Organizations, groups, and individuals may obtain a Parks permit for specific locations, dates, and times as requested on the application and subject to approval.
2. A $260.00 deposit is required for all special event permits. This fee will be used to reduce staff costs for an event.
3. A $400.00 trash removal/disposal fee will be charged and may increase based on the size of the event. This fee covers city staff picking up trash that has been bagged and placed in a central location, as well as the transportation and disposal of that trash.
   This fee does not include facility clean-up while the event is taking place or at the end of an event. (There will be NO discounts given on this fee.)
4. A minimum charge of $260.00 will apply for one staff member (4-hour minimum at $65.00 per hour) which would include trash pickup. Additional staff fees (may be required) as deemed necessary by the Department of Parks, Recreation, & Cemetery (DPRC) based on the permit holder's request, impact on a park, the length of the event, including set-up and breakdown times, and trash left in the park after an event. Each additional staff member will be a minimum of 4 hours at $260.00. (There will be NO discounts given on this fee.)
5. If an Electrician is required, a minimum charge of $260.00 for one electrician (4-hour minimum at $65.00 per hour) will be assessed. Any additional hours, including setup and/or breakdown time, will be billed at $65.00 per hour. An Electrician will be required for the full event duration, including setup and breakdown if an electrical setup using city supplied electric is requested/used. The electrician is there for the purpose of electrical needs only. If the event exceeds the initial 4 hours, each additional hour will be charged $65 per hour. (There will be NO discounts given on this fee.)

Special Events/Functions

Organizations, groups, and individuals requesting a permit for events will be charged fees based on the permit holder's request, impacts on a park, and the length of the event, including setup and breakdown times. Additional fees may be charged by other departments and determined on an individual basis, including staffing or any requested services.

Portable Stage Fee

A fee of $1,040.00 will be charged for delivery, setup, breakdown, pickup, and transportation of the portable stage within the City of Worcester. The stage is a metal 24'x24' stage (not ADA accessible). It may be used completely open or with back at 24'x 15'.6".
(There will be NO discounts given on this fee.)

Sports Permits

1. Fees will be charged for field use, permits issued to youth groups, individuals, or organizations that are city residents under the age of 18. These include but are not limited to softball, baseball, football, soccer, rugby, hockey, basketball, lacrosse, handball, tennis, cricket, field hockey, street hockey, or any other sport. This fee can be reduced or waived if the youth league is a 501C3 non-profit and/or completes regular maintenance on their field. (Discounts do not apply to staff costs.)
2. Fees will be charged to organizations, individuals or leagues that are for profit. (There will be NO discounts given on this fee.)
3. There is a two (2) hour minimum for all permits, per day.
4. 8 a.m. -  6 p.m. OFF-PEAK HOURS for fields/rinks/courts.
5. 6 - 10 p.m. PEAK HOURS for fields/rinks/courts.
   (All fields close at 10 p.m. unless approved by the DPRC; if additional hours are approved the fees will be based on peak hour cost.)

Sports Permits Fees

Grass Fields

Non-profit:

1. $22.50/Hr./Field for off-peak hours prior to 6 p.m.
2. $45.00/Hr./Field for peak hours after 6 p.m.

For-profit:

1. $45.00/Hr./Field for off-peak hours prior to 6 p.m.
2. $90.00/Hr./Field for peak hours after 6 p.m.

Synthetic Fields

All practice and games need to start on the even hours at these fields, no exceptions.

1. $150.00 per hour with a minimum of two hours. Synthetic fields may require staff at games. (There will be NO discounts given on this fee.)

Tournament Permits

1. $940.00 per field per day non-synthetic fields flat fee (additional fees will be added based on the permit needs. Tournaments may require staff.) (There will be NO discounts given on this fee.)
2. $2,200.00 per field per day synthetic field fee (additional fees will be added based on permit needs. Tournaments may require staff.) (There will be NO discounts given on this fee.)
3. Synthetic fields may require staff at games. (There will be NO discounts given on this fee.)

Cancellation Policy

A 24-hour written cancellation notice (email acceptable) is required and must be confirmed/approved by the Department of Parks, Recreation, & Cemetery (DPRC) to avoid additional fees. All weekend/holiday cancellations must be received by 10 a.m. on the last business day prior to the event and must be confirmed/approved by the DPRC STAFF.

Refund Policy

Refunds will NOT be given unless cancelled in writing within the required timeframe noted in the cancellation policy. All cancellation requests must be confirmed and approved by DPRC staff. Confirmation/approval is deemed confirmed when the event representative receives a written confirmation/email from the Parks Administration. The full cost will be charged to those who do not cancel on time. An email sent to parks@worcesterma.gov will also be accepted as a written cancellation with a follow up call to 508-799-1190.

Fee Structure

Filing false information with the City of Worcester Department of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery may result in the revocation of any permit issued. Organizations, groups, or individuals found to have submitted false information may be required to appear before the Parks & Recreation Commission to address the matter. Additionally, any future permit requests from these parties would require approval from the Parks & Recreation Commission.

The above Fees & Charges Policy has been approved by the Parks & Recreation Commission on December 4, 2025.