Cheshire Activities: Recreation, Artsplace, Pool and Youth Services
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Facility Rental Information

Facility Use Request Application Process: Use of Town of Cheshire facilities is, at all times, subject to the sole discretion of the Town of Cheshire. Prior to using Town Facilities, a Facility Use Request must be submitted either by (1) submitting the request online at myrec.cheshirect.org or (2) submitting the Facility Rental Application form provided by the Parks & Recreation Department. If the Facility Rental Application Form is utilized, it shall be emailed, mailed, or dropped off in person to the Parks and Rec Department. Payment is due upon approval. The purpose of the Town’s Facility Use policy and process, including the Facility Use Request process, is to establish a system for the equitable and orderly distribution of the Town of Cheshire facilities. Failure to comply with the Town’s Facility Use Request Application Process shall result, subject to the Town’s sole discretion, in ineligibility to use Town facilities. Once the Facility Use Request Form and accompanying documentation have been submitted, the Director of Recreation or designee will review the application and be in touch with the organization representative regarding status as soon as possible (typically 5 business days).
 
Allocation of Facilities and Fee Schedule: Facilities will be allocated in order of priority as defined below.
Priority 1: Town of Cheshire and Board of Education sponsored programs and events;
Priority 2:
  • Local 501c (3) organizations comprised of at least 80% Cheshire residents*;
  • Local recognized civic and service organizations;
  • Local recognized athletic or sports-affiliated groups;
Priority 3: Individuals and local 501c(3) organizations comprised of less than 80% Cheshire residents*;
Priority 4: For profit groups, non-local organizations, commercial groups and any other group not defined as Priority 1, 2 or 3.
 
* “80% Cheshire residents” is based on comparable season’s actual registrations not the projected percentage.
 
The Town of Cheshire expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to make such changes, modifications or adjustments to the Facility Use Request Application Process as it deems necessary and appropriate.
 

Fee Schedule - Pavilions
(see Facility Use Request Form for full facility fee schedule)
Bartlem Park, Cheshire Park (Mark Jardim), Lock 12, Mixville Park Small & Quinnipiac Park Pavilions: $150
Mixville Park Large Pavilion: $300

Pavilion Rental Rules, Regulations, and Policies
The following rules and regulations are not meant to be all-inclusive and additional rules and requirements may be imposed and enforced if the Parks & Recreation Department and/or the Parks and Recreation Commission deem the behavior is in violation of safety of users or health and well-being of the property.
  1. Renter must be at least 25 years of age. Attach copy of state or federally issued photo ID to application.
  2. Payment Policy: Payment must be made within 10 days of notification of reservation confirmation; if not paid within 10 days, the rental will be cancelled and the date made available to the public. Rental requests within 10 days of requested date must be paid within one day of reservation confirmation.
  3. Cancellation/Refund– A 50% refund will be given for a cancellation if the date is reserved by another party. If the date is not reserved by another party, then no refund will be given.  Requests to move or reschedule a date are considered the same as a cancellation and will follow this policy.  All cancellation requests must be in writing and emailed to recreation@cheshirect.org
  4. Inflatable amusements and bounce houses are prohibited.
  5. Please call the Police Department non-emergency number (203-271-5500) if there are any issues with rentals during non-business hours. They will reach out to Parks & Recreation staff and someone will contact you.
  6. Renter is personally responsible for returning the premises in the same condition as when the renter took possession.
  7. Decorations, if used, should be put up with tape only and must be removed before leaving the park.
  8. Renters understand and agree they are only renting the pavilion and not any other facility within the park.
  9. The renter understands and agrees that this rental can be revoked at any time for violating this agreement.
  10. Vehicles are restricted to the parking lot. 
  11. Trash must be put in trash containers.
  12. Renter may not sublet or transfer its rights and privileges to any other individual, group or organization.
  13.  The following acts are prohibited:
    • Any acts that put participants in danger or potential danger (i.e. driving/parking vehicles on the fields) are prohibited.
    • Any abuse or damage of town property (i.e. tearing up the field, littering, purposeful breaking of equipment) are prohibited.
    • Use of fields without a permit or during a time when the Recreation Department has closed a field due to weather or maintenance.
    • Use of illegal drugs, smoking and loud, vulgar, confrontational language are not permitted on town fields and recreational spaces or its immediate vicinity.
    • Illegal acts in the parks, playgrounds, open space areas and flood plains.
  14.  The installation of any structure or equipment on Town of Cheshire property must receive prior permission from the Parks & Recreation Department.  If construction is taking place, the contractor will be responsible for meeting any and all regulations required by the Town of Cheshire.  This includes, but is not limited to: building permits, certificates of insurances, planning and zoning, as well as wetland applications. Such structure, when completed, becomes the sole property of the Town of Cheshire. 
  1. All parks are tobacco and cannabis free – Per Town Ordinance Section 11-22
    1. No person shall use any smoke products, including but not limited to smoking cigarettes, smoking cigars, smoking pipes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco or substances in any park, except that the use of such products shall be permitted within areas designated in such parks for the parking of motor vehicles.
    2. No person shall burn, smoke, use or consume any cannabis product in any park.
  2. Many renters will need to purchase insurance (from their own insurance company) and provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the Town of Cheshire as additionally insured.  See page 7 for specific requirements.
  3. Town of Cheshire is not responsible for any items left or stored on facility grounds by Applicant.
  4. All municipal ordinances, regulations and policies must be complied with.
  5.  All required insurance certificates, including vendors’, must be received 2 weeks prior to event. 
  6. Alcohol, when permitted, must stay at rented pavilion and not be consumed in any other areas of the park.

Facility Use Rules, Regulations & Policies
The following rules and regulations are not meant to be all-inclusive and additional rules and requirements may be imposed and enforced if the Parks & Recreation Department and/or the Parks and Recreation Commission deem the behavior is in violation of safety of users or health and well-being of the property.
  1. Renter must be at least 25 years of age. Attach copy of state or federally issued photo ID to application.
  2. Renter is personally responsible for returning the premises in the same condition as when the renter took possession.
  3. The renter understands and agrees that this rental can be revoked at any time for violating this agreement.
  4. Vehicles are restricted to the parking lot.
  5. Trash must be put in trash containers.
  6. Renter may not sublet or transfer its rights and privileges to any other individual, group or organization.
  7. The following acts are prohibited:
    • Any acts that put participants in danger or potential danger (i.e. driving/parking vehicles on the fields) are prohibited.
    • Any abuse or damage of town property (i.e. tearing up the field, littering, purposeful breaking of equipment) are prohibited.
    • Use of fields without a permit or during a time when the Recreation Department has closed a field due to weather or maintenance.
    • Use of illegal drugs, smoking and loud, vulgar, confrontational language are not permitted on town fields and recreational spaces or its immediate vicinity.
    • Illegal acts in the parks, playgrounds, open space areas and flood plains.
  1. The installation of any structure or equipment on Town of Cheshire property must receive prior permission from the Parks & Recreation Department. If construction is taking place, the contractor will be responsible for meeting any and all regulations required by the Town of Cheshire.  This includes, but is not limited to: building permits, certificates of insurances, planning and zoning, as well as wetland applications. Such structure, when completed, becomes the sole property of the Town of Cheshire. 
  2. All parks are tobacco and cannabis free – Per Town Ordinance Section 11-22
(1)  No person shall use any smoke products, including but not limited to smoking cigarettes, smoking cigars, smoking pipes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco or substances in any park, except that the use of such products shall be permitted within areas designated in such parks for the parking of motor vehicles.
(2)  No person shall burn, smoke, use or consume any cannabis product in any park.
  1. Most renters must provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the Town of Cheshire as additionally insured. See page 7 for specific requirements.
  2. Town of Cheshire is not responsible for any items left or stored on facility grounds by Applicant.
  3. All municipal ordinances, regulations and policies must be complied with.


FIELD USE:
  1. Maintenance of Town of Cheshire athletic fields will be performed by town staff unless prior approval is granted by the Town of Cheshire.
  2. Groups/organizations/teams having specific requests for maintenance will include them on the Facility Use Request Form or to the Director of Recreation. Town staff will make its best attempt to complete such request with consideration to time, staffing and weather conditions. Town reserves the right to support or deny the request.
  3. All Youth Athletic Organizations must comply with state standards and state statutes for concussion education and awareness and the provision of information concerning child sexual abuse.
  4. A supervisor of an activity involving young people has the responsibility to assure that conditions exist to promote the highest degree of safety possible. For example: higher than anticipated attendance; small children unattended; first aid provisions; etc. Facility users must take appropriate precautions, such as providing onsite medical staff, first aid kits, and/or the ability to contact emergency services.

Weather Closure/Unsafe Field Conditions
The Town of Cheshire reserves the right to close or otherwise restrict access to fields and/or facilities due to inclement weather or unsafe conditions at any time. Pavilion rentals are generally held rain or shine but forecasted severe weather may warrant cancellation or rescheduling at the Town’s discretion. Fields are inspected by town staff and cancellation decisions are made by the Director of Recreation in conjunction with the Director of Public Works. The town is committed to optimizing the quality of fields, ensuring safety, minimizing injury, and reducing damage to fields that lead to costly repairs. If you are uncertain of the status of a field, please call the Parks & Recreation Office at 203-272-2743 or check our website at cheshirect.myrec.com.
 
Determining to play on athletic fields is a crucial decision impacting the conditions and sustainability of a field. Fields are closed to avoid injury and damage to players and to the playing surface. Choosing to play on a wet field or the vigorous attempt to dry a wet field are major reasons fields are damaged.  Standing water occurs because the ground is saturated. Removing standing water does not eliminate the saturation. It is the saturation and not standing water that causes damage and unsafe conditions.
 
An athletic field should be considered closed if any of the following conditions exist:
    • There is standing water present on any part of the field that cannot be removed without causing damage to the field.
    • There are muddy conditions present that will not dry by the start of the game.
    • While walking on the field water can be seen or heard with a footstep.
    • While walking on the field of play, any impression of your footprint is left in the surface
    • If water gathers around the sole of a shoe or boot on any portion of the field.


Certificate of Liability Insurance Requirements
All organizations, teams or leagues must agree to maintain in force at all times during the term of this Use Agreement the following minimum insurance coverages and shall name the Town of Cheshire as Additional Insured on a primary and non-contributory basis to all policies. All policies should also include a Waiver of Subrogation. Insurance shall be written with Carriers approved in the State of Connecticut and with a minimum AM Best’s Rating of “A-” VIII.

Renters requesting or intending to have beer/wine at their event are required to submit a Certificate of Liability Insurance with their rental application (per Town Ordinance section 11-22) naming the Town of Cheshire as additionally insured. No alcoholic beverages, other than beer or wine, shall be consumed on Town property. Beer/wine may only be consumed on Town property if the Renter/Applicant above indicates that beer/wine will be available or consumed by renter and/or its guests and if renter/applicant provides the required Certificate of Liability insurance prior to the event.

If renter will be using outside services, the Town requires a Certificate of Liability Insurance from any outside vendors, including food trucks, etc. naming the Town as additional insured.

Renters will need to purchase insurance on their own – it is not provided by the Town. If unable to find an insurance provider, the following have been recommended by the Town’s insurance provider:

General Liability:
Required of all organizations, teams, leagues and businesses. Required of any individual when hosting an event where alcohol is present. Required of all vendors providing services during an event on Town property.
     Each Occurrence $1,000,000 (Minimum Limit)
     General Aggregate $2,000,000 (Minimum Limit)
     Products/Completed Operations Aggregate $2,000,000 (Minimum Limit)

Liquor Liability:

Required in addition to General Liability when hosting any event where alcohol is present.
     Each Claim or Each Occurrence $1,000,000(Minimum Limit)
     Aggregate $1,000,000(Minimum Limit)

Auto Liability: 

Required of all vendors in addition to General Liability.
     Combined Single Limit Each Accident $1,000,000 (Minimum Limit)

Original, completed Certificate of Insurance must be provided to the Town of Cheshire prior to use of facilities. Should any of the above-described policies be cancelled, limits reduced, or coverage altered, 30 days written notice must be given to the Town of Cheshire.

Additional Insured and Certificate Holder:
Town of Cheshire
84 South Main St.
Cheshire, CT  06410