Hempstead, NY Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 78-23 covers two related but distinct kinds of park use. Subsection A requires Town Board or Director authorization before anyone erects a structure, stand or platform, holds a meeting, performs a ceremony, makes a speech or address, exhibits a performance, or forms a parade or procession anywhere in a Town park; without that authorization, none of these activities may occur regardless of the size of the gathering. Subsection B addresses organized group events specifically: the Town Board or Director designates which area of the park a picnic, outing or special event may use, and the Director is responsible for regulating recreation-facility use and distributing patrons throughout the park to prevent congestion and ensure efficient use of park property for everyone's comfort.

Critically, Subsection B requires that all representatives of organized picnics, outings and special events, a category the section expressly extends to parades, demonstrations and other similarly defined events, obtain a special permit from the Town Board or Director before the event, on top of whatever regular privileges a group might already hold to use park facilities. The permitting authority may attach whatever rules and regulations it deems necessary to the permit. This section works alongside § 78-16, which requires payment of any posted admission charge or fee, including special-event fees the Town Board levies in addition to or in place of a park's regular charge.