Midland, TX Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 9-5-10(B) requires specific authorization from the director of parks and recreation before anyone organizes or even participates in a public or large group gathering of more than 25 people in a City-owned park, and that requirement applies to City parks 'located either within or without the City,' reaching park land the City owns outside its own corporate limits. Hogan, Cole and Washington Parks are exempt from that 25-person authorization requirement, though the same subsection still requires scheduling coordination with the parks department for events there.

Section 9-5-10(A) covers a separate scenario: entering a park area designated as restricted, or entering any area outside the hours it's open to the public, is unlawful on its own, and the parks director is responsible for posting open hours. Chapter 9-5 layers on other prohibitions relevant to an event: dumping trash outside a designated receptacle is barred under § 9-5-13, and driving a motor vehicle off a designated road or drive is barred under § 9-5-9. , though civic organizations or groups of ten or more can obtain a special-event permit from the parks director with approval of the parks and recreation advisory board to use a park during those closed hours.

Enforcement for any Chapter 9-5 violation, including holding an unauthorized large gathering, runs through § 9-5-17: any police officer or person charged with supervising the park may expel the violator from the grounds, in addition to any other penalty the Code otherwise imposes.