St. Clair County, IL Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Silver Creek Preserve permit fee
- $25, payable to County Treasurer
- Permit review
- Sheriff's Office reviews every application
- Foley Park pavilion #1
- $35/day
- Foley Park pavilions #2-#5
- $25/day each
- Reservation window
- Up to 1 day ahead, not same-day
- Overnight group deposit
- $50, refunded in 2-4 weeks
Summary
Groups wanting the Silver Creek Preserve pay a $25 permit fee to the County Treasurer under Section 27-2-2, and the Sheriff's Office reviews the application before it's approved. Foley Park pavilions are booked separately under Section 27-1-3 for $25 to $35 a day, and any overnight group at either park posts a $50 refundable damage deposit.
27-2-2 PARK USE PERMIT. All applicants for a Preserve permit shall attach to the application a check for Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) payable to the St. Clair County Treasurer. (A) Picnic permits are non-transferable. (B) Bathrooms are public and are not part of the park use permit. ... 27-2-4 SHERIFF'S OFFICE REVIEW. A copy of the permit shall be forwarded to the Sheriff's office for review.
Full Breakdown
Section 27-2-2 requires every applicant for a Silver Creek Preserve permit to attach a $25 check payable to the St. Clair County Treasurer. Picnic permits under this section are non-transferable, and the county's public restrooms at the Preserve are not part of the permit itself. Section 27-2-3 sends all permit checks into the County General Fund; if the event caused no damage and the applicant removed all trash generated by the event, the applicant is reimbursed within two to four weeks by a check the County Treasurer mails to the address on the Park Use Permit. Section 27-2-4 requires a copy of every completed permit to be forwarded to the Sheriff's Office for review, and Section 27-2-5 places the actual permit application form in Exhibit A of Chapter 27.
Foley Park runs a parallel but separate reservation system for its five pavilions under Section 27-1-3. Pavilion #1 rents for $35 a day; Pavilions #2 through #5 rent for $25 a day. Reservations are accepted up to one day before the event, never on the day of the event itself, and payment is due within three days of booking or the reservation is forfeited; a booking isn't confirmed until the Park office receives payment in full. Overnight or multi-day group use of either park additionally requires a signed agreement, a $50 refundable damage deposit, specified arrival and departure dates and times, and proof of liability insurance under Section 27-1-4, plus one adult supervisor for every four children under 16.
Violations & Fines
Using either park's group facilities without the required permit or reservation, or violating any condition of one, is punishable under the county's general penalty, Section 1-1-20, referenced at the end of Chapter 27. A Silver Creek Preserve permit is void if transferred to someone other than the applicant. Skipping the required cleanup or damaging the site forfeits the $50 damage deposit at either park, and a Foley Park pavilion reservation not paid in full within three days of booking is automatically canceled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Silver Creek Preserve permit cost?
Do I get my Silver Creek Preserve fee back?
How do I reserve a pavilion at Foley Park?
Can I hold an overnight group event at either park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Clair County
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