Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority
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Picnic Shelters and Outdoor Facilities

PARA shelters are a great, affordable place to host your next birthday party, family reunion, church picnic or just to spend the afternoon with the family.  

Shelters may be rented online or by visiting any PARA Activity Center from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Rental is for shelter ONLY and does not include play units or other park amenities.  All PARA parks are open to the public.

Payment due at time of rental to include $25 special permit fee if applicable.  

Cancellation Policy: All reservations must be cancelled in person at a PARA Activity Center or the Downtown administrative office no later than seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled reservation date. A $25.00 processing fee will be applied to all cancellations with the remaining monies paid refunded to the rental party 7-10 business days following the cancellation. Cancellations requested with notice of less than seven (7) days will forfeit all monies. 

There are NO refunds for shelter/park rentals due to weather.

Rental periods:  10 - 2 pm, 2 - 6 pm, 6 - 10 pm (some exclusions apply) 

Scroll down for a complete listing of PARA Shelters and Rental Rates 

Additional Rental Guidelines due to COVID-19

  • Playgrounds are open.
  • Splash Pads are open through Labor Day weekend.  Harrison Taylor Splash Park @ Palmore Park is available for rentals and daily use. Evans-Roshell Park is free and open to the public.  Click here for more information.
  • Patrons must follow social distancing guidelines (groups subject to disbursement/shutdown by Rangers or TPD if not observed).
  • One bounce house or inflatable water feature allowed as part of rental.
  • Water inflatables are not allowed at Harmon Park (Ironwood Shelter), Kaulton Park, McKinney Park, Red Barn at Sokol Park, Cherry Shelter or Sequoia Shelter at Snow Hinton Park.
  • No inflatables are allowed at Birch or Cypress Shelter. (Riverwalk/Jack Warner Parkway)
  • Anyone requesting to hold an “event” involving patrons outside of immediate family must be approved individually.  Must complete Permit Request Form and email to Jan Mize.

Bowers Park

Elm Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with power, water and a grill. Located adjacent to a play-unit. Capacity: 50

Elm Shelter

Maple Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with pit barbeque and outside grill, power and water.  Located adjacent to play-unit and the disc golf field.

Capacity: 75

Maple Shelter

Sycamore Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with brick BBQ pit, water spigot and power.  Located adjacent to a play-unit.  Closest restroom is at the Belk Activity Center.  

Capacity: 75

Minnie Sellers Shelter - $95

Covered shelter with 2 small and 1 large grill, power and water. Located adjacent to a play unit.  Restroom connected to shelter.  

Capacity: 150

Braughton Park-- Fosters

Fosters-Braughton Park Shelter - $50

Picnic shelter only-- rental does not include concession building.  Limited electrical (20 amp plug).  Water at restrooms/fountain only.

Capacity: 25

Fosters-Braughton Park Shelter

Capitol Park

Capitol Park Gazebo - $50/hr

Covered gazebo located in Downtown Tuscaloosa next to the Old Capitol ruins.  There is a water fountain and 20 amp power to the gazebo only.  There are no restroom facilities or grill at this location.  All reservations at Capitol Park require a permit.  The permit form is attached and must be printed, completed and returned to jmize@tcpara.org or any PARA Activity Center once a reservation has been made.  All fees are due at time of rental. Capitol Park is rented by the hour.

Capacity: 200

Cardinal Park

Cardinal Park Shelter - $60

Located by Tuscaloosa Regional airport.  Covered shelter with grills and electricity. Water fountains and a play unit are located in Park.  Port-A-Let restroom facility.

Capacity: 75

Evans-Roshell Park

Beech Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with grill. Adjacent to play unit, splash pad and basketball court with lights.

Currently, this shelter is without electricity; Rental is not available 6pm-10pm.

Splash pad is not rentable.  

Capactity: 50

Faucett Brothers Park

Hawthorne Shelter - $60

Hawthorne is located closest to Eugenia Faucett Drive. It has eight tables, grill, water and power. Adjacent to play-unit and port-a-let restroom facility shared with other shelters.

Capacity: 25

Loblolly Shelter - $60

Loblolly is located on the right side of the driveway as you pull up to the shelters.  Eight tables, one grill, power and water. Adjacent to play-unit and port-a-let restroom facility shared with other shelters.

Capacity: 25

White Oak Shelter - $60

White Oak is located on the left side of the driveway as you pull up to the shelters.  Eight tables, one grill, power and water. Adjacent to play-unit and port-a-let restroom facility shared with other shelters.

Capacity: 25

Freeman Park

Spruce Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with power, grills (2) and water fountain. Adjacent to play-unit.  Walking track 1/4 mile. Restroom available when pool is open.

Capacity: 75

Harmon Park

Iron Wood Shelter - $60

Picnic shelter with electricity, grill and restrooms. There is a water fountain and 3 picnic tables.  The playground is open to the public and not rentable.  Facility is available for rental from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. only.  NO rentals after 6:00 p.m.  NO water inflatables/toys are allowed at this location.  

 

Capacity: 50

Iron Wood Shelter

Hurricane Creek Park

Hurricane Creek Park Alabama Power Shelter

Currently has no electricity, water or picnic tables.  Available for community use on a first come, first serve basis.  

 

Jaycee Park

Jaycee Pavilion - $105

Covered shelter with electricity, water and restroom facilities.  Adjacent to play-units and skate park.  There are no grills at this location.  Walking trail is 1.5 miles. 

Capacity: 150

Kentuck Park

Hickory Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with power, water. and grill.  Restrooms and play-unit shared with Sweet Gum Shelter.  

Capacity: 75

Sweetgum Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with grills (2), power and water.  Restrooms and play-unit shared with Hickory Shelter.

Capacity: 50

McDonald Hughes Community Center

Druid Oak Shelter - $40

Covered picnic shelter with a grill and adjacent play unit. 

Druid Oak Shelter

Miners Community Park

Bobbie Coleman Shelter

Shelter with water, electricity & grills. The park features a basketball court, playground and swing.  This shelter is not rentable and is used on a first come, first serve basis.  

Bobbie Coleman Shelter

Monnish Park

Dogwood Shelter - $60

Located closer to 15th street.  Covered shelter with power, water, grill, and restroom facilities. Lighted walking track and play-units.  

Capacity: 35

Oak Shelter - $60

Located closer to parking lot.  Covered shelter with power, water, grill, and restroom facilities.  Lighted walking track and play-unit.

Capacity: 35

Northridge Park

Buddy Powell Pavilion - $150

Large pavillion with fans, lights, electricity, water, grills and restrooms. This facility has 8 picnic tables which are available at any time. It also has approximatley 15 - 8' tables and 130 chairs which are available UPON REQUEST.  When making your reservation indicate that you would like access to the additional tables/chairs.  A Park Ranger will open the storage closet for you on the day of your rental.  It will be your responsibility to put all tables and chairs in the closet before leaving the facility. 

Capacity: 300

Palmore Park

Mimosa Shelter - $60

First shelter on left as you enter the park. Covered shelter with power, water and pit grill.  Play- unit and restroom located next to shelter.  

Capacity: 75

Red Bud Shelter - $95

Located on the cul-d-sac road, bear left at Y, shelter on left. Converted old barn with power,water and grill. Restroom shared with Walnut shelter.

Capacity: 100

Walnut Shelter

SHELTER NOT RENTABLE DUE TO CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SKATE PARK.

Located on the cul-d-sac road, bear left at Y, shelter on right adjacent to the skate park.  Covered shelter with power, water and pit grill.  Restroom is shared with Red Bud shelter.

Capacity: 75

Queen City Park

China Fir Shelter - $35

River Road Park

Birch Shelter - $40/hr

This shelter has no electricty or water. Covered shelter with four 6 foot picnic tables.  Rental of this shelter may require a Special Permit depending upon event which must be completed at the time of rental.  No inflatables allowed at this location.  

Capacity: 50

Cypress Shelter - $85

Covered shelter with power, restrooms, water and grill.  No inflatables allowed at this location.

Capacity: 50

Rock Quarry Park

Chestnut Shelter - $60

Shelter does not have electricity, water or grill at this time.  Restrooms and water access available at the Phelps Activity Center on the opposite side of the parking lot.

Capacity: 50

Cedar Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with electricity and grill.  Play-unit next to shelter.  Restrooms and water access available at the Phelps Activity Center during business hours located opposite side of the parking lot.

Capacity: 50

Phelps Gazebo - $50/hr

The Phelps Center Gazebo is available for weddings and special events by rental only. Submit a permit request online or call 562-3230 to reserve.

Capacity: 25

Snow Hinton Park

Cherry Shelter - $70

Shelter on the west side of Snow Hinton Park, across the street from Magnolia Shelter - located next to the 3 flags. Covered shelter with power, water fountain and restroom.  NO WATER INFLATABLES ALLOWED AT THIS LOCATION.   

Capacity: 25

Magnolia Shelter - $95

Located on the east side of the park.  Covered shelter with power, water, grill and restrooms.  

Capacity: 200

Sequoia Shelter - $100

Shelter equipped with 6 picnic tables and grill.  Closest restroom facility is at the Cherry Shelter.  Rental party does not have exclusive use of the Sky Net play area.

Capacity: 50

Munny Sokol Park

South

Willow Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with power, water, grill and restrooms.  Adjacent to play-unit.

Capacity: 75

 

Red Barn Shelter - $100

Covered shelter with electricity, water and picnic tables.  Restrooms are nearby and are shared with visitors to the Will May Dog Park.  No inflatables are allowed at this location.    

All rentals at the Red Barn require a permit.  Permit application form must be completed and submitted at time of rental.  If reserving online please send completed form to jmize@tcpara.org or drop off at any PARA Activity Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.  All fees are due at time of rental.

Capacity: 200 

Red Barn Shelter

North

Box Elder Shelter - $60

Covered shelter with power and restroom located at Sokol North complex.  No grill or water.

Capacity: 75

van de graaff park

Water Oak Shelter - $60

20x40 shelter with grill overlooking the lake.  There is no electricity or water at shelter but water is available across the road at hose spigot.  

Gravel road access into Van De Graff Park with limited parking.

Water Oak Shelter

Historic Bridge @ Van de Graaff - $100/hr

Bridge may be reserved for small weddings or ceremonies.  Access is by gravel road into VandeGraff Park.  There is limited parking.  It is suggested that potential renters inspect the area before placing a reservation.

Historic Bridge @ Van de Graaff