Picnic Shelter Reservations

Columbia Parks and Recreation provides many options for hosting your private party, reunion, company meeting, wedding, or wedding reception. Many outdoor picnic shelters, indoor facilities, and outdoor venues are available for reservation by the public. Minimum age to make a facility reservation is 21. Neighborhood picnic shelters are not reservable, but are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact information

Parks & Recreation Department
1 S 7th Street 
Columbia, MO 65201
Fax #: 573.874.7640opens phone dialer
Phone: 573.874.7460opens phone dialer

Quick links

Stephens Lake Park pavilion shelter

Reservation information

Several of the City’s picnic shelters and facilities are available for reservation. Choose a date, time, and facility, then call the administrative office at 573.874.7460opens phone dialer or come downtown to the Gentry Building, 1 S 7th Street, to make a reservation. Payment is due when reservation is made. The following policies apply to reservations:

  • View facility availability online!  Call 573.874.7460opens phone dialer to make your reservation with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. 
  • Shelters and facilities may be reserved up to 364 days in advance of the desired date.
  • Shelter and indoor facility reservation fees are due at the time of reservation. Phone reservations may be paid with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover credit or debit card.
  • A permit will be issued and must be with you during the use of the shelter or facility, as proof of your reservation.
  • Reservation fees are not refundable. Shelter reservations can be transferred to another available date or shelter up to 14 days prior to the original reservation date. Reservations are not refundable due to weather.
  • Some events require a Park or Shelter Special Use Permit in addition to a shelter reservation. Refer to Special Use Permits to see if your event meets the criteria.
  • Park restrooms are closed between October 15 and April 15, except for selected restrooms that are open year round at Stephens Lake Park, Cosmo Park (near Nickell Shelter & Football Field #4), Cosmo-Bethel Park, Albert-Oakland Park (near shelters 2 & 3)and MKT Trail.
  • Reservation times may be in the following time range: 9 a.m. – park closing hours. Shelters only have one reservation per day with the exception of Cosmo Park and Stephens Lake Park – which reservations can begin at 8 a.m. and can be reserved in full or half day rentals. Please see fee chart below.
  • Trash is emptied and shelters are cleaned in the early morning hours. Therefore, it is possible other park users may use the shelter before rental party arrives. Shelter reservations guarantee use of the shelter only – no other conditions implied.
  • Recreation equipment is available for rental from the downtown Parks and Recreation Department.
  • All Park Rules and Regulations apply.

Click on shelter name to view shelter and additional information. 
Click on park name to go to that park’s web page.

Reservable Park Shelters

Cosmo Bethel Park shelter Twin Lakes Recreation Area shelter Cosmo Park shelter Rock Quarry Park shelter
Park Name Shelter Name Reservation Cost 
(Beginning
10/1/19)
Size Square Feet

# of Picnic Tables
(approx)

Seating Capacity Parking Spaces Recommended Group Size
(Limit)
Albert-Oakland Park Shelter #1(access Edris Drive) $45 25’x42′ 1,050 8 64 55 80
Albert-Oakland Park Shelter #2(access Blueridge Rd.) $45 55’x33′ 1,815 11 88 135 100
Albert-Oakland Park Shelter #3 (access Blueridge Rd.) $45 30’x58′ 1,740 9 72 135 100
Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary Bonnie View Shelter $45 26’x46′ 1,196 9 72 29 + bus parking 100
Cosmo Park (CCRA)

Antimi Shelter

Half Day: 
8am-2:30pm
OR 5-11pm

Half Day $45
Full Day $60
40’x54′ 2,160 8 64 218+ 100
Cosmo Park (CCRA)

Burford Shelter

Half Day: 
8am-2:30pm
OR 5-11pm

Half Day $55
Full Day $70
46’x80′ 3,680 20 160 62+ 200
Cosmo Park (CCRA)

Dexheimer Shelter

Half Day: 
8am-2:30pm
OR 5-11pm

Half Day $55
Full Day $70
78’x42′ 3,276 18 144 82+ 200
Cosmo Park (CCRA)

Garrison Shelter

Full Day: 
8am-11pm
(no water, electric, or lights)

Full Day $30 19’x25′ 475 5 40 18+ 40
Cosmo Park (CCRA)

Harris Shelter

Half Day: 
8am-2:30pm
OR 5-11pm

Half Day $45
Full Day $60
26’x46′ 1,196 8 64 80 100
Cosmo Park (CCRA)

Lamb Shelter

Half Day: 
8am-2:30pm 
OR 5-11pm

Half Day $55
Full Day $70
45’x80′ 3,600 20 160 62+ 200
Cosmo Park (CCRA)

Nickell Shelter

Half Day: 
8a-2:30pm 
OR 5-11pm

Half Day $55
Full Day $70
32’x50 1,600 12 96 100+ 200
Cosmo Park (CCRA) Thomas H. Rapp Shelter Reserved only w/tennis court rental 26’x19′ 494 2 16 16 20
Cosmo-Bethel Park Ficklin Shelter $45 26’x46′ 1,196 8 64 80 100
Cosmo-Bethel Park Leech Shelter $55 78’x42′ 3,276 18 144 110 200
Fairview Park Fairview Shelter $45 45’x23′ 1,035 7 56 0 80
Indian Hills Park Indian Hills Shelter $45 28’x28′ 784 3 24 15 40
Jay Dix Station Jay Dix Shelter $45 30′ x 18′ 540 4 32 65 40
Kiwanis Park CK Odor Shelter (College Park Drive) $45 60’x40′ 2,400 13 104 22 60
Kiwanis Park Talbert Thurston Shelter(Maplewood Drive) $45 60’x40′ 2,400 12 96 22 60
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Battle Garden MLK Shelter $45 28’x28′ 784 4 32 86 40
Nifong Park

Gehrke Shelter

$45 48’x28′ 1,344 8 64 98 80
Rock Quarry Park Rock Quarry Shelter $45 26’x46′ 1,196 7 56 51 60
Shepard Blvd. Park Shepard Shelter $45 26’x50′ 1,300 10 80 0 80
Smith Park

Smith Shelter

$55 78’x42′ 3,276 18 144 70 200
Stephens Lake Park

Collins Shelter (with fire pit)

Half Day: 
8am-2:30pm
OR 5-11pm

Half Day $45
Full Day $60
26’x26′ 676 4 32 18 40
Stephens Lake Park

Gordon Shelter

Half Day: 
8am-2:30pm
OR 5-11pm

Half Day $45
Full Day $60
26’x46′ 1,196 9 72 35 80
Stephens Lake Park

Happy Hollow Shelter

Half Day: 
8am-2:30pm
OR 5-11pm

Half Day $45
Full Day $60
26’x46′ 1,196 8 64 35 80
Twin Lakes Rec Area Twin Lakes Shelter $55 87’x66′ 5,742 24 192 213 200
Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area Waters-Moss Shelter $45 24’x48′ 1,152 9 72 19 80
Park and Facilities Guide Mapopens PDF file
Click for printable Parks and Facilities Guide (11×17. 2 pages)

Indoor facility reservation choices and prices

The indoor facilities below are available for rental when not in use for recreation programs or classes. These indoor rental options can make a great wedding venue or an ideal location for reunions, receptions, company meetings, and private parties.

 

Click on facility name to view facility and additional information. 
Click on park name to go to that park’s web page.

 

Indoor Facilities

Rock Quarry House Riechmann Pavilion indoors Riechmann Pavilion exterior
Maplewood Barn MKT Trailside Building Moss Building
Facility Park Reservation Cost (Effective Oct 1, 2019)
Rock Quarry House Rock Quarry Park $24/hour, 2 hour minimum + deposit
Waters House Waters Moss Memorial Wildlife Area $24/hour, 2 hour minimum + deposit
Riechmann Pavilion Stephens Lake Park $230 – $1,550 + deposit
Maplewood Barn Nifong Park $27/hour, 2 hour minimum + deposit
MKT Trailside Building MLK Memorial at Battle Garden $45/day + deposit
Moss Building Waters Moss Memorial Wildlife Area $38/hour, 2 hour minimum + deposit
Activity and Recreation Center (ARC)
(rental webpage)
ARC (index page) Varies, depending on what area is reserved. See ARC Rentals webpage.

Picnic area

Picnic areas are available for daily reservations. Reservations ensure that picnic areas are mowed prior to use, however, areas may be used on a first come first serve when not reserved. Trash and recycling receptacles are not available at picnic areas, all items and refuse must be packed in and packed out after each use

Click on park name to go to that park’s web page and view the park map to see picnic area location.

PICNIC AREA # Park GROUP SIZE Reservation Cost per day
Picnic Area #1 Cosmo-Bethel Park 12 $25 + $15 deposit
Picnic Area #1 Stephens Lake Park 12 $25 + $15 deposit
Picnic Area #1 Nifong Park 12 $25 + $15 deposit

Outdoor facilities available for special events

The following outdoor areas may be used as a wedding venue or for special events, but require a Park Special Use Permit. Facilities remain open to the general public. Other park locations may be requested for special events by filling out a Park Special Use Application.

 

Click on facility name to view facility and additional information. 
Click on park name to go to that park’s web page.

 

Outdoor Special Event Facilities

Flat Branch Park gazebo Martin Luther King Junior Memorial at Battle Garden Stephens Lake Park Island Shelter Stephens Lake Park Amphitheater
Facility Park Requirement
Gazebo Flat Branch Park Park Special Use Permit
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Battle Garden Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Battle Garden Park Special Use Permit
Amphitheater Stephens Lake Park Amphitheater Rental Agreementopens PDF file
Park Special Use Permit (if applicable)
Island Shelter Stephens Lake Park Park Special Use Permit
Maplewood Home Grounds (outside) Nifong Park Park Special Use Permit

Non-reservable park shelter information

If a reservable shelter is not available on your event date, you may use the non-reservable shelters in one of the neighborhood parks, Douglass Park, Grindstone Nature Area, or Indian Hills Park. These shelters can be used by the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that there are no parking lots or restrooms provided in neighborhood parks.

Click on shelter name to view shelter and additional information.
Click on park name to go to that park’s web page.

Non-Reservable Park Shelters

Valleyview Park Shelter Bear Creek Park Shelter
Park Shelter # of Picnic Tables (approx)
Again Street Park Again Street Shelter 4
Atkins Park Atkins Shelter 3
Auburn Hills Park Auburn Hills Shelter 3
Barberry Park Barberry Shelter 3
Bear Creek Park Bear Creek Shelter 3
Cosmo Park Wussler Shelter 4
Cosmo-Bethel Park Cosmo-Bethel Tennis Shelter 2
Cosmo-Bethel Park Cosmo-Bethel Playground Shelter 2
Douglass Park Ralph Shelter 10
Douglass Park Douglass South Shelter 1
Douglass Park Douglass East Shelter 1
Downtown Optimist Park Downtown Optimist Shelter 3
Dublin Park Dublin Shelter 3
Grindstone Nature Area Grindstone Shelter 3
Highpointe Park Highpointe Shelter 3
Lions-Stephens Park Lions-Stephens Shelter 4
Lange Park Lange Shelter 3
Longview Park Longview Shelter 3
Louisville Park Louisville Shelter 3
Nifong Park Harper Shelter 3
Paquin Park Paquin Shelter 5
Parkade Park Parkade Shelter 3
Rock Bridge Park Rock Bridge Shelter 3
Smithton Park Smithton Shelter 4
Strawn Park Strawn Shelter 4
Valleyview Park Valleyview Shelter 3
Westwinds Park Westwinds Shelter  4