Shelters and Picnicking
Crowder District Park has three picnic shelters. All of the shelters have tables (including one in each shelter that is handicap accessible), large charcoal grills, and are located close to restrooms and play areas. Parking spaces, including handicap-accessible ones, are located at the entrances to each shelter. You may rent a shelter to guarantee availability; otherwise, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Shelter rentals may be made through the park office during normal office hours. For each shelter, a refundable deposit of $50 is required in addition to the reservation fee to ensure the shelter and the surrounding area remain clean and undamaged. Every shelter rental is in effect from 9 a.m. until closing at sunset.
Shelter reservations are in effect rain or shine. Gas grills are allowed but must be placed on the gravel pad and have a container to catch grease. There is electricity in the Heron and Cardinal shelters, not the Robin. Amplified sound systems, alcoholic beverages, open fires, all fishing and feeding the wildlife are prohibited in the park. Signs other than the reservation sign provided by the park must be preapproved by park staff.
Robin Shelter
The Robin shelter is the smallest shelter and is located toward the far end of the park, near the boardwalk.
Capacity: 25 persons
Fee: $40
The Cardinal shelter is the medium-sized shelter near the large upper playground. It is accessible from the road, upper playground and the paved path.
Capacity: 50 persons
Fee: $60
The Heron shelter is the largest shelter, located at the far end of the park near the lower restrooms. This shelter offers the best view of the pond.
Capacity: 100 persons
Fee: $80
Grill Use
- Grills are for charcoal use only! (No stones, sticks, pine straw, paper or starter logs). Please do not allow children to put stones in the grill.
- Leave the charcoal in the grill when finished. Park staff will take care of proper disposal of it.
- Do not pour water or any other liquids over the coals or grill surfaces.
- Large grills and cookers may be used on asphalt parking surfaces only, and their use must be pre-approved by park staff. Cookers must be placed in a parking space, and the surrounding area must be cleaned before leaving the park. A suitable container must be used to catch all grease resulting from usage.
- Gas grills may be used on the gravel grill pads only. Do not leave gas grills unattended.
- Take proper measures to ensure grease does not drip from gas grills or cookers.
Trash and Recycling
- Leave the shelter and all areas of the park your group uses free of litter.
- Dispose of trash in the trash cans provided.
- Dispose of smoking materials in the container provided.
- When picking up litter, pay special attention to the small items such as: juice box straw wrappers, balloons, confetti, cigarette butts, candy wrappers and silly string. These items are not only unsightly but may pose a threat to our wildlife.
- Remove all tape, tacks and staples from the tables and shelter supports.
- Use recycling bins correctly: plastic drink bottles and aluminum drink cans are the only items acceptable in the bins. (no plastic cups, bags, utensils or food containers).
- Please do not place trash, rocks or other items in the recycling bins.
A refundable deposit of $50 is required to rent any shelter. Full refunds will be honored, provided the shelter and surrounding area are clean and undamaged. Call 662-2850 for reservations or for more information.
Any mess in the restrooms, such as excess water (from water balloons or other) that impacts the usage by the general public or causes damage to any facility, will be grounds for retention of the damage deposit.
Picnicking
There are opportunities to have an enjoyable picnic at the park without the need to reserve a shelter. If there are no reservation signs on the shelters, they are available for anyone to use on a first-come, first-served basis. When the shelters are reserved, there are a limited number of picnic tables located between the Robin and Heron shelters and on the observation deck. These are non-reservable and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Remember, the same rules apply for using the picnic tables as for the shelters.