COMMUNITY USE: $100
Non-commercial events that are primarily for the benefit of the community at large. If an event charges a fee for admission (for vendors or attendees), it will automatically be considered either private or commercial use.
PRIVATE USE: $500
Any event that is outside commercial use definition, but primarily private. Examples could include weddings, family reunions, organizational picnics, ticketed events, etc.
COMMERCIAL USE: $1,000
Any of the following could qualify an event as commercial use: For-profit event, non-resident entity, 1,000+ attendees, major infrastructure setup (large tents, staging, etc.), food & beverage sales/catering, multiple vendors, or any other use deemed commercial by the VPA Executive Director or Board of Parks Commission.
The above rates are for a single day event, lasting up to 8 hours. Setup and tear down are expected to occur in the same day as the event. Multiday events will be subject to additional usage fees. The Department of Venues Parks & Arts reserves the right to assess additional fees for events that require a significant use of city resources or result in atypical wear and tear to the park property.
SCHOLARSHIPS: The Department of Venues Parks & Arts has a limited amount of resources available to scholarship events by offering discounted fees. To qualify for a discounted, scholarship rate, you must submit a completed scholarship form at the time of application. These are available on a first-come/first-served basis for events that help positively influence VPA’s impact drivers. In general, scholarships will be capped at a 50% discount.
DEPOSIT: A minimum 10% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of application. Payment can be made by credit card online at sbvpa.org or over the phone by calling 574-299-4765. Check and cash payments can be made by visiting Howard Park Event Center, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd, South Bend, IN 46617.
EXCLUSIVITY: Exclusive access to an entire City of South Bend parks is not guaranteed. In some instances, it is not possible to restrict public access to various amenities, including parking, restrooms, playgrounds, water features, or bodies of water.
SECURITY: As part of the application process, the VPA Events Coordinator will help determine mandatory security requirements to help keep your event safe and logistically sound.
RENTAL AGREEMENT: Please review rental agreement for all insurance, liability, and other park use policies.