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Charleston, WV Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Fee (Haddad/Magic Island)
$100/hr, 2-hr minimum
Full-day cap
$800
Damage deposit
$250, refundable
Cancellation penalty
Forfeit deposit under 20 days
City-run events
Exempt from fees

Summary

Charleston charges set hourly and daily rental fees to reserve city parks like Haddad Riverfront Park and Magic Island Park for private use.

Rental and fee schedule for the use of recreation facilities and equipment [is as follows]:

(1)For use private use, exclusive of the general public, of the North Charleston Community Center, Martin Luther King Jr., Community Center, Kanawha City Community Center, Roosevelt Neighborhood Center: Gymnasium per hour .....$25.00

Meeting room, per hour .....$20.00

(2)Cato Park Golf Course: ..... Daily nine holes .....$9.00

Additional nine holes .....$4.00

Unlimited play .....$12.00

Daily senior citizens unlimited .....$6.00

Schools, practice or matches .....$6.00

(3)For use exclusive use of tennis courts, the Director of Parks and Recreation, or his designee, is authorized to reserve tennis courts for organized play, and in such cases to impose fees not to exceed the allocable costs of operation and maintenance of the courts as may be determined on a case by case basis. In all other instances, use of the courts shall be made available to the general public on a first come first served basis without the imposition of fees.(4)Haddad Riverfront Park: ..... Private rental of entire park, per hour* .....$100.00

(2 hr. minimum to maximum charge of $800.00 for entire day. Rental time includes set-up and tear-down if renter requires exclusion of general public during this time)

Damage deposit for private rental .....$250.00

(refundable if no damage occurs. However, deposit is forfeited if rental is canceled less than 20 days prior to rental date)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).

Full Breakdown

The Parks and Recreation Department books private use of city parks under a published fee schedule. Private rental of the entire Haddad Riverfront Park or Magic Island Park runs $100 per hour with a two-hour minimum, capped at $800 for a full day, plus a $250 refundable damage deposit that's forfeited if you cancel less than 20 days out. Community center gyms rent for $25/hour and meeting rooms for $20/hour. Special set-up or clean-up work beyond normal park maintenance is billed at $20 per hour per employee, negotiated and disclosed before the rental agreement is signed. Commercial concert rentals require a separate contract approved by city council. Events the city itself produces are exempt from all these fees.

Violations & Fines

Using or occupying a reserved park area you haven't paid to rent, or backing out less than 20 days before the date, forfeits the $250 damage deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to reserve Haddad Riverfront Park for a private event in Charleston?
$100 per hour with a two-hour minimum, up to a maximum of $800 for the entire day, plus a $250 refundable damage deposit.
What happens if I cancel my Charleston park rental?
The $250 damage deposit is forfeited if the rental is canceled less than 20 days before the reservation date.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Charleston

All Charleston rules

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