Newark, OH Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Chapter 1068 of the Newark Code of Ordinances covers every park, playground, playfield, swimming pool and recreational area run by the Division of Parks and Recreation in the Department of Public Service, plus the city-owned ground around the Licking County Courthouse known as The Square. Section 1068.06 sets the permit procedure for special events in those places. The applicant files with the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation and states the applicant's name and address, the name and address of any sponsor, the day and hours wanted, the park or portion of a park wanted, any other information reasonably necessary to decide the application, and any variances needed from park rules and regulations.

The Superintendent applies five standards: the event will not unreasonably interfere with the public's enjoyment of the park, will not unreasonably interfere with public health, welfare, safety or recreation, will not reasonably be expected to include violence, crime or disorderly conduct, will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the City, and the facilities have not already been reserved for another use on the requested date. That last standard makes the permit double as the reservation for a shelter or other facility.

The Superintendent must tell the applicant the decision within ten days after receiving the application. Either a denied applicant or a person aggrieved by a grant can serve written notice on the Clerk of Council within five working days. Council decides within ten days of the Clerk receiving the appeal, or at its first meeting after the appeal is filed, whichever is later, and its decision is final. A permittee is bound by all park rules and other applicable ordinances as though they were written into the permit.

Several other Chapter 1068 rules point back to this process. Wading, swimming or bathing outside the Municipal swimming pool is allowed only by a special event permit under Section 1068.06, and camping, the gazebo on The Square and the shelter houses in Horns Hill Park each need a Superintendent permit. Section 1068.08 lets the Director of Public Service set user fees, including fees for special event permits, and file the schedule with the Clerk of Council.