Plainfield, NJ Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

The City of Plainfield places its parks and playgrounds under the Division of Recreation, which sits in the Office of the Business Administrator and is headed by the Superintendent of Recreation. Section 2:5-6.2(b) lists sixteen rules for the public playgrounds and parks, and several of them are permit gates. Rule (10) requires a written permit before anyone holds, conducts or addresses a public assemblage, meeting or gathering, or takes part in a public debate or discussion. Rule (6) bars selling, offering or soliciting for sale any goods or merchandise without a special permit. Rule (14) allows entertainment or exhibitions only under the direction or by permission of the Division of Recreation. Rule (13) bars distributing circulars, cards or written matter, or posting a placard, notice or sign, without authorization. Rule (4) keeps animals out unless the Division of Recreation authorizes them, and gives an exhibition or pet show as the example.

Article 12 of Chapter 10 adds the reservation step. Under § 10:12-11(b), reserved use of any of the facilities is scheduled through the Superintendent of Recreation, and under § 10:12-9 any commercial enterprise in the parks, including selling or peddling liquids or edibles for human consumption, takes a license. Alcohol needs careful reading: § 2:5-6.2(b)(7) prohibits any alcoholic beverage in or upon a playground or park, while § 10:12-3 says use of alcoholic beverages is permitted for special occasions if written permission has been requested and granted in accordance with State law. Under § 10:12-2, "parks" means any park, reservation, playground, playing field or other land owned by or under the jurisdiction of the City of Plainfield devoted to active or passive recreation.

Events that need police coverage carry a separate cost. Section 2:12-9 sets the off-duty police fee for road and traffic services and special events not funded by the City, such as festivals and parades, at $65.00 per hour. Rule (10) does not name the issuing office; the reservation channel the code prints is the Superintendent of Recreation.