Allentown, PA Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Allentown Code § 425-20A requires that "Permits for special events in parks and recreation areas including but not limited to picnics, egg hunts, ice cream festivals, road races, fishing contests or sports, or for the sale of items, or for the use or possession of alcoholic beverages, shall be obtained by application to the Director of Parks and Recreation or the Director's designee." Applicants must file a written application listing their name and address, the sponsoring organization if any, the day and hours requested, and the specific park or area sought. The Director evaluates each request against four standards: the activity must not unreasonably interfere with the public's enjoyment of the park, must not detract from public health, welfare, safety or recreation, must not be reasonably expected to involve violence, crime or disorderly conduct, and the requested space or time must not already be reserved for another use. Permit fees are set separately under the City's Administrative Code and Home Rule Charter rather than fixed in the ordinance itself.

Section 425-21 layers a companion reservation system on top of the special-event permit: any person can reserve a shelter, playground area or sports field for a specific date and time by paying a scheduling fee, though informal groups may still use unreserved facilities occasionally without a permit as long as they don't displace a scheduled reservation. Both permit and reservation decisions run through the same office, giving the Director of Parks and Recreation centralized control over competing uses of city park space.