Department Policies

Activities & Programs

Prior to registration, ask for more information if you are unsure about your participation in a program. Please note that by registering, you are committing to a spot in the program or activity and no refunds or credits will be allowed for cancellations. A full refund or credit will be offered for any programs cancelled by the La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department or if there are changes to the original schedule and the participant can no longer attend. No refunds or credits will be issued for special events, day trips, pool passes/memberships, or shelter/facility reservations. No refunds or credits will be issued for natural occurrences. 

Shelters

Reservation fees are non-refundable.No refunds or credits will be issued for natural occurrences. If you must cancel or change the date of your reservation, please contact our office at (608)789-7533

Senior Excursions

Visit the Senior Excursions page for specific policies related to excursions.

Many of the La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department’s programs, activities and facilities are supported by property taxes from City of La Crosse residents. Therefore, City of La Crosse residents may receive a discount on activity registrations, facility reservations and other various program fees. Customers may be required to show proof of residency in order to receive a discount, when applicable.

All La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department programs are subject to cancellations and schedule changes. A minimum number of participants in a program may be required. Participants will be notified of any cancellations.

The Department is not responsible for personal equipment, clothes, decorations, etc. that are lost or stolen during any program or reservation. However, please contact our office concerning lost items, as many times they are turned in by others. Items of value will be turned over to the Police Department after one week. Clothing and other items will be donated after one month.

City ordinance section 34-66(a) states No person shall have in their possession, custody or control any alcohol beverages of any kind whatsoever, in any City designated playground, public swimming areas, or on park property within 1,000 feet of any school building or play structures. Exceptions being (b) Alcohol beverages are allowed at City of La Crosse Parks and Recreation sponsored events at City parks. Alcohol beverages will be allowed when reserving park facilities, pavilions and picnic shelters and indicating on the reservation form that alcohol beverages will be at the event. Alcohol beverages are allowed by Special Event Licenses or Agreements between the Board of Park Commissioners and the entity sponsoring the event.

Pets are allowed in all city parks as long as city ordinance 10.03 (K) is followed. Pets must display current rabies tags and current registration tags. All pets must be on a leash (8-foot max) and remain on sidewalks or designated walkways. Please pick up after your pet! Pets are not allowed on splash pads, beaches, athletic courts, or fields.

If you have a food truck or outdoor food stand, and you are looking to sell in the city, you must get a permit from the City of La Crosse Clerks Office. In compliance with ordinance section 10-423, No person shall operate an outdoor food stand or mobile food unit without first obtaining a license in compliance with the provisions of this division. A separate license is required for each stand/unit. An additional permit from the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department is required if you are selling food in any city park; daily, weekly or annual permits available.

If you are planning to host a fundraising event in a City park or facility, offer a class or program, or charge an admission or participation fee, approval from the Park Board is required. Park Board approval is also necessary for any event or program that involves fundraising, participant fees, and/or alcohol.*

To be considered, a letter of request must be submitted to Kate Kroll at krollk@cityoflacrosse.org at least two weeks prior to the desired Park Board meeting. Requests are reviewed as part of that month’s meeting agenda.

Your letter should include:

• Contact name, phone number, and email address
• Organization name and mailing address
• Event name
• Preferred and alternate event dates and times
• Requested park, shelter, facility, and/or trail(s)
• Brief description of the event

Incomplete submissions may delay review or result in denial. If approved, some events or programs may be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance.

For best planning, applicants are encouraged to attend a Park Board meeting at least three months in advance of their event to ensure adequate review time.

Alcohol Permits

If your event is approved to include alcohol sales, a separate alcohol permit must be obtained through the City Clerk’s Office. Eligibility for permits is determined by the Clerk’s Office. Alcohol may not be served without proper approval and permitting.

Section 34-73 of City Ordinance: No Smoking or Using Tobacco Products in City Parks"Smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, hookah pipe, plant or other combustible substance in any manner or in any form and use of electronic devices with electrical ignition or vaporization (e-cigarettes/cigars or similar devices).

Camping is prohibited in all City of La Crosse Parks per Municipal Ordinance Sec. 32-5. 

View a map of all prohibited camping areas. 

The City of La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department receives numerous inquiries from individuals and organizations with regards to donations of art to the City park system. This agreement provides a flexible and responsive means for donors to contribute. Please view the Art Donation Agreement and General Guidelines(PDF, 216KB) for established policies and for accepting donations of art for the benefit of the City park system are defined herein.

Temporary installations are prohibited in City parks unless a reservation has been obtained from the Parks Department. Temporary installations refer to any non-permanent visual communication or display intended for short-term placement within City parks. This includes but is not limited to banners, posters, placards, flags, A-frame signs, memorials, tributes, bills, banners and similar materials. This policy does not apply to permanent structures, which must follow a separate approval and permitting process. View the full Temporary Installations In Parks Policy(PDF, 198KB).

All fees must be paid in full at the time of registration or reservation. All registrations and reservations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration forms without proper payment will not be processed. Accepted payments include: cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Please make checks payable to City Treasurer. A $25.00 service charge is assessed on all checks returned due to insufficient funds. Once a NSF check occurs, all future payments must be cash or credit card only.