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

Chapter 168, Parks and Recreation, defines the reservation threshold in § 168-1: a SPECIAL EVENT is a group activity, including but not limited to a performance, meeting, assembly, contest, exhibit, ceremony, parade, athletic competition, reading, or picnic involving more than 20 people, for which specific space is requested to be reserved, expressly excluding casual park use by visitors or tourists. Section 168-15, Picnics and outings, puts the reservation power in the Commissioner of the Department of Parks or a designee, who shall designate the area to be occupied, and shall regulate the use of parks and recreation facilities so as to prevent congestion, and states that all organized picnics and outings require a permit.

A PERMIT under § 168-1 means any written authorization issued by or under the authority of the Commissioner for a specified privilege in a park. Because the Town's parks, beaches, pools and athletic fields are held open under § 168-2 subject to residency and fee rules set by the Town Board, an event permit under § 168-15 sits on top of any admission fee or resident sticker requirement that already applies to the facility. 1.