Renting OSMP Picnic Shelters and Facilities

Facility Rental Information

The Flagstaff Summit Road is closed to vehicle traffic as of October 28, 2009. The gate was scheduled to be closed Nov. 1, and was closed early due to adverse weather conditions. The gate will reopen May 1, 2010.

As of January 28, 2010, the Halfway House is temporarily closed for reservations  until further notice. 

Coming February 2010!

Open Space and Mountain Parks is excited to announce that our facility reservations will be moving to an on-line system. Once the on-line reservation system is available, the calendar for reservations will extend to a two year revolving calendar, in lieu of the current nine month time-frame. This means you will be able to reserve your location up to two years in advance.

We are in the testing phase of the new on-line system. All walk-in reservations made at the administrative office will be done in the new system. Please allow extra time when making reservations to accommodate for the testing. Keep checking our website for updates.

Click to jump down to these topics:

»Frequently Asked Questions
»Rental Time Blocks
»Rental Terms
»Facilities at a Glance
»Specific Facilities
»Deposits
»Facility Fees
»Alcohol Permits
»Cancellation Policy

Thank you for your interest in renting an Open Space & Mountain Parks facility.

To choose a facility, see Facilities at a Glance and Frequently Asked Questions.

See the Facility map.

Please read this page thoroughly to help answer questions you may have, and to understand rules and regulations. Should you choose to rent a facility, your signature on the rental agreement acknowledges you understand and accept all the information included here and on the agreement.

To confirm your reservation, we will need your payment of the rental fee (credit card or check) and your signature on the rental agreement. Reservations can be made at the Cherryvale Administrative Office, 66 South Cherryvale Road, the line forms at the front door. For more information please call 720-564-2002, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Facilities can be reserved no more than nine months in advance. If the day you wish to reserve the shelter falls on a weekend, the reservation is taken on the corresponding Friday before. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Walk-in citizens have priority over mail-in and/or phone requests. Flagstaff Mountain Summit facilities are available from May 1 through October 31.

In February 2010, our facility reservations will be moving to an on-line system. Once the on-line reservation system is available, the calendar for reservations will extend to a two year revolving calendar, in lieu of the current nine month time-frame. This means you will be able to reserve your location up to two years in advance.

On the following pages you will find a complete list and description of the facilities available for rental, including fee system information, regulations and costs.

Additional city park areas and recreation centers are available through Boulder City Parks and Recreation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Terms and Conditions for Facility Rental

• The Applicant is prohibited from raising funds, charging admission, or providing private training for pay unless combined with an Open Space and Mountain Parks commercial permit. Refer to commercial use permit guidelines for more information.
• Glass containers are prohibited in any areas of Open Space and Mountain Parks pursuant to section 8-3-9, B.R.C. 1981 (wine glasses, champagne bottles, and vases included). The use and breaking of glass in religious ceremonies will be permitted only if done on a sturdy tarp and all glass contained and removed.
• Use of live bands and amplification is restricted. Applicants must comply with the City Noise Ordinance as defined in chapter 5-9, B.R.C. 1981 as well as section 8-3-13, B.R.C 1981. If it is determined that noise is disturbing other park visitors, persons responsible will be asked to lower the noise and/or terminate the event and may be charged an additional fee for the services of the Noise Control Officer and will be responsible for any violations of City regulations.
• Destruction, damage, or removal of any vegetation or defacement of property is prohibited. Permit holders will be charged for the cost of repairs, and any violator of City regulations will be prosecuted.
• Loading and unloading of vehicles must be done from designated parking lot areas.
• Fires are allowed only in the designated metal fireplaces provided by the City. All firewood must be provided by person(s) reserving the facility. Fireplaces and grills must be left in clean condition, and fires must be extinguished and cold before leaving the area. No gas grills/Hibachi grills. PLEASE NOTE: Other fire restrictions or bans may be enacted, in which case the rules of the ban/restriction will be in effect. There is NO guarantee that fires of any kind will be allowed.
• Facilities must be left in a clean and orderly condition. Tables and other equipment must be replaced in their original location. Additional chairs, tables, or equipment will not be furnished by Open Space and Mountain Parks. For enclosed facilities, windows and doors must be closed and locked. Applicant will be required to pay for all damages, loss, and cost of excessive clean up.
• Under no circumstances are signs, balloons, or any other items to be nailed, pinned, stapled or otherwise attached to any tree, park sign, facility, and/or along the roadways. 
• No rice, confetti, birdseed, flower petals, or straw shall be used at events. Doing so is constituted as littering pursuant to section 5-4-13, B.R.C. 1981.
• No releasing of animals (wildlife or domestic) or balloons (helium or other) at events.
• Groups of 50 or more must remove their own trash from the park area. Groups of fewer than 50 must remove their trash in the event that trash receptacles are full.
• All attendees not displaying a Boulder County license plate must have a parking permit pursuant to section 4-20-54, B.R.C. 1981.
• No person shall erect any tent, net, or structure in a park or recreation area located outside the corporate limits of the City, or on any open space land, unless done pursuant to a written permit or contract from the City manager. The prohibitions of this section do not apply to developed and landscaped city parks located outside the city limits, if they are designated by the manager as such city parks pursuant to section 8-3-21 B.R.C. 1981. Arches used in religious ceremonies will need to be held by participants.

Rental Time Blocks

Each rental is a time BLOCK with a mandatory hour between.

Time Blocks:
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Rental Rates

Special Information

• No rice, confetti, birdseed or straw shall be used at events. Wildlife such as birds and small mammals may feed on birdseed, rice or other materials and may become dependent on these food sources. Throwing confetti or other material is littering.
• No release of animals (wildlife or domestic) or balloons (helium or other) at events. Litter from balloons and other decorations can be harmful if ingested by wild animals.
• Parking spaces may not be reserved. Reservations are for the facility only.
• Any flower arrangements, garlands, etc. must be removed at conclusion of events. Any items left at facility site will be considered litter.
• Tents, nets or structures (canopies) are not permitted (B.R.C. 8-3-21). The natural, aesthetic quality of the Mountain Parks is what many people come to enjoy. Please help to maintain that experience by not placing or erecting such structures and by using provided facilities. Arches used in religious ceremonies will need to be held by participants.
• Be aware of and check in advance for fire regulations and potential fire bans. Collection of wood or having ground fires is prohibited. Fire bans may be in effect at any time. The risk of catastrophic wildland fires is year-round and uncontained fires can easily escape and become uncontrollable.
• Glass containers (champagne, wine or beer bottles, glasses, etc.) are prohibited (B.R.C. 8-3-9). Please use non-glass containers and recycle what you can. Glass breaking used in religious ceremonies should be done on a sturdy tarp and all glass should be contained.

General Guidelines for Alcohol Permits

OSMP Facilities at a Glance

Facilities are not reserved on the following holidays:
July Fourth, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

Update 01/28/10: Due to continued vandalism and the low volume of water, the pump cistern near the Flagstaff Nature Center is closed and will not be reopened at this time.

See the Facility map
Download the (82.93 KB)

NOTES:

FLAGSTAFF MOUNTAIN SUMMIT FACILITIES

Sunrise Amphitheater

The Sunrise Amphitheater on the summit of Flagstaff Mountain is a popular location for weddings between May and October. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933-34, the Amphitheater is a rustic outdoor facility made from local stone. It features a large circular area, a small stage, seating for 150, and magnificent views of the City of Boulder below and the plains beyond.

The facility is accessed by following Flagstaff Road about 3.4 miles from where it begins going up Flagstaff Mountain to its junction with the Flagstaff Summit road. Go right on Flagstaff Summit Road and follow it for about half a mile to the summit of Flagstaff Mountain. The Sunrise Amphitheater is located at the east end of the Flagstaff summit area beneath the large flagpole.

• 150 people maximum
• Three hour maximum
• Seating for approximately 150
• Stage
• Restrooms are nearby which are wheelchair accessible
• No firewood available/collecting firewood prohibited
• Wheelchair accessible to seating area (For wheelchair accesiblity to the stage, please notify the OSMP administrative offices for a ramp.)
• No electricity
• Water available during summer months by pump cistern at Flagstaff Summit Nature Center

Parking fee area

Photo Gallery

Stone Shelter

The Stone Shelter is located on the summit of Flagstaff Mountain, and is available for groups of up to 150. Originally known as the Flagstaff Shelter House, this facility was constructed by the Boulder Lions Club in 1933. It is a roofed moss rock structure with two inside picnic tables, two fireplaces and open-air windows. Twenty large picnic tables (seating approximately 150 people) are located just outside the shelter. Although fires are permitted unless otherwise posted, no firewood is available.

• 150 people maximum
• Three hour maximum
• Seating for approximately 150
• 20 large picnic tables outside
• Covered area for about 25 people
• Restrooms are nearby
• No firewood available/collecting firewood prohibited
• No electricity
• Water available during summer months by pump cistern at Flagstaff Summit Nature Center

Parking fee area

Photo Gallery

Wood (Jaycee) Shelter

The Wood Shelter (also known as the Jaycee Shelter) is a covered, open-air wooden facility that is available for group picnics at the summit of Flagstaff Mountain.

• 150 people maximum
• Three hour maximum
• Seating for approximately 150
• 8 picnic tables outside
• Covered area for about 50 people
• Restrooms are nearby
• One large grill
• No firewood available/collecting firewood prohibited
• No electricity
• Water available during summer months by pump cistern at Flagstaff Summit Nature Center
• One long, narrow serving table

Parking fee area

OTHER OPEN SPACE & MOUNTAIN PARKS FACILITIES

(Available year-round)

See the Facility map.

Halfway House - across from Flagstaff Restaurant, about 1.2 miles up Flagstaff Road on east side.

The Halfway House is an enclosed stone facility that is available by reservation for groups of up to 49 people. Originally known as the Panorama Park Shelter House, the facility was rebuilt in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, replacing a structure that was originally built by the Lions Club in 1919. The Halfway House is a popular location for weddings and picnics, and has a lovely stone patio that affords magnificent views of the Boulder Valley. The patio is accessible to wheelchairs via a short trail from the parking area; the structure itself is not. Halfway house is located across from Flagstaff Restaurant, about 1.2 miles up Flagstaff Road on east side.

Bluebell Shelter- approximately 3/4 mile south of Chautauqua Trailhead and Ranger Cottage on Bluebell Road.

Bluebell Shelter is a covered, open-air stone facility available for group picnics and activities that was constructed by the Lions Club in 1921. It is located at the end of Bluebell Road, a closed emergency access road that originates at the entrance to Chautauqua Park. Because the road is closed to vehicles, use of Bluebell Shelter requires an approximate 0.75 mile walk from the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.

Photo Gallery

Small Facilities

There are a number of picnic tables throughout Open Space and Mountain Parks that are available for public use. These do not require reservations, and may be used on a first-come, first served basis. Visit the Trails and Recreation page for more information.

More Visitor Links

»Trail Maps
»Trail Descriptions
»Visiting with Dogs
»Rules and Regulations
»Wildlife Closures
»Leave No Trace on Open Space

Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 15:01