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 Nov. 20, 2009, the Halfway House and Bluebell Shelters are temporarily closed for reservations during the week (Monday-Friday) until further notice . Reservations are available on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) based on availability.

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

Reservations can be made at the Cherryvale Administrative Office, 66 South Cherryvale Road, 720-564-2002, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The terms and conditions of this reservation are for FACILITY USE ONLY. Groups of 25 or more people wishing to hold an event in an area of Mountain Parks OUTSIDE a designated facility, must apply for a Special Use Permit (92.93 KB), 14 days prior to the event for staff review. For information on special use permits, call 303-441-3440.

No permit shall be issued except upon satisfactory assurance that the use of the facility will be under the direct supervision of an adult.
Reservations or permits will not be allowed on the Fourth of July, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve or New Years Day.
Permits are required to consume alcohol at any of the facilities and/or when group size is 15 or more people. See Alcohol Permit Guidelines.
Glass containers are not permitted on Open Space & Mountain Parks (including wine glasses and champagne bottles).

Use of live bands and amplification is restricted. Applicants must comply with the Noise Ordinance Number 3554. 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. No electrical hook-ups are available due to the remoteness of the area.

The use of generators, power supplies, etc. is prohibited.

• Facilities must be left in a clean and orderly condition. Applicant(s) will be responsible for any damage. For Halfway House rentals, all doors and windows must be closed and locked and the key returned.
• Chairs, tables or other equipment will not be furnished by the Open Space & Mountain Parks department.
• 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. This will be considered litter.
• Activities that damage or disturb any natural or man-made feature are prohibited.
• The Director of Open Space & Mountain Parks (or agent) reserves the right to change the provisions of this contract.
• Renters are asked to remove all trash that will not fit in the available receptacles from the area.
• Fires are allowed only in designated metal fire places provided by the Department. Ground fires are prohibited. In the event of a fire ban / fire restriction the rules of said ban / restriction shall apply. There is no guarantee that fires of any kind will be allowed. Gathering of wood is strictly prohibited. The Department does not provide firewood. All firewood must be provided by person(s) reserving the facility. Gas grills are permitted only in designated picnic areas with existing fire grills, and only if there is no fire ban in effect.
• Tents, canopies, umbrellas, etc., are not permitted at any of these sites.

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 4/29/09: Due to continued vandalism the well near the Flagstaff Nature Center has been closed and will not be reopened at this time.

See the Facility map
Download the (82.93 KB)

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 75 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 Friday, 20 November 2009 15:14