FAQs

Q: Does the city permit athletic fields for use by various groups?
A: The city does permit designated athletic fields, as well as tennis and sand volleyball courts, throughout Lakewood.

Q: How do I submit a field/court permit request?
A: Complete the reservation form at LakewoodCO.gov/FieldRequest.

Q: Who do I contact if I have questions regarding field/court permits?
A: Direct all inquiries to AthleticFields@LakewoodCO.gov.

Q: How long does it take to process a field/court permit request?
A: Reservations will be processed within 2 weeks if permits are being accepted. Requests submitted prior to permitting season will be processed 2 weeks from permit season opening.

Q: What happens if my permit request is not approved?
A: You will receive notification from recreation staff regarding why your permit was not approved and what other options you have.

Q: How will I know that my request has been approved?
A: You will receive notification via email that your permit request has been approved.

Q: How will I receive my permit once it has been approved?
A: You will receive a signed permit via email once payment has been submitted and processed.

Q: What are my payment options?
A: Submit payment using any of the following methods:
Cash – payable at Charles Whitlock Recreation Center, 1555 Dover St., Lakewood, CO 80215.
Check – payable to City of Lakewood and deliver to Charles Whitlock Recreation Center.
Credit Card – the city accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Lakewood Recreation Division issues outdoor facility use permits at specified locations throughout the City.  A permit is required for all organized events at City facilities, with permits issued using the following priority schedule:

• Priority Group 1: City of Lakewood and City of Lakewood Affiliates
• Priority Group 2: Recognized Local Sports Organizations (RLSO)
• Priority Group 3: General requests

The deadline for requesting a field permit is at least five (5) business days from the event date. Submission of a permit request does not guarantee a permit will be issued.

To request a permit please submit your request online at LakewoodCO.gov/FieldRequest.

HOURS OF OPERATION

General park hours are as follows:

• 8:00 am – Dark

Fields with lights are available as follows:

• 8:00 am – 10:00 pm*

*The Lakewood Recreation Division reserves the right to schedule City of Lakewood Adult Sports Leagues past 10:00 p.m. should the need arise.

FIELD RENTAL RATES

Field permits are issued under the following guidelines

• Permit requests require a two hour minimum requirement.
• Full payment is due before a permit will be issued.

*The daily rate will apply for any rental exceeding 6 hours, as such requests will prohibit other groups from permitting that area.

All permit requests are final. Refunds will only be issued if the City of Lakewood closes fields due to weather and/or field maintenance issues.

FIELD PERMIT SCHEDULE

The Lakewood Recreation Division issues field use permits at specified locations throughout the City using the following schedule:

*Seasons have been established to prevent overlapping of fields from season to season, maintain control over when seasons are designated for use by various sports, and to effectively monitor field conditions.

All events or organized activities occurring on City fields must be permitted through the City of Lakewood.  Any event or organized activity occurring without a City issued permit will be asked to cease activities and leave the premises immediately and the violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

FIELD CLOSURE POLICY

• The City may close a field at its sole discretion when the health and safety of the participants is in question due to field conditions.
• The permittee is expected to refrain from using a field when any of the following conditions exist:
  • Standing water is present on any part of the playing area
  • Precipitation of ½ inch or more has fallen within the previous 24 hours
  • Steady rain is falling and/or the ground is saturated
  • Snow is sticking to or covers the ground (snow removal is prohibited)
  • Grass is sparse or field is badly worn
  • Frost is visible on the turf
  • Turf can be displaced or dislodged from the ground
  • Infields/dirt areas are muddy or dirt cakes or clings to shoes
• Organizations failing to honor any field closures are subject to fines established to cover the cost of repairs and/or revocation of future field permit(s).
• It is the responsibility of the permittee to know the status of any given field in order to ensure the safety of the participants within the organization/group (Weather Hotline: 303-987-7778).
• An annual rest and renovation period is scheduled at all sites to maintain sustainability.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• Portable Toilets
  1. Written permission from the City of Lakewood is required to place additional units at any location.
  2. Permittee is responsible for both securing and paying for additional units once permission has been granted.
  3. Permittee will reimburse the City of Lakewood any costs associated with damage due to the delivery, location, or removal of additional units.

• Concessions
  1. The City must approve any concession sales on City property.
  2. City permits are required for designated locations throughout the City.
  3. Concession permits will not be issued when the City has a concessions operation in place.
  4. An appropriate, non-refundable daily fee, to be pre-arranged between the City and any potential concessionaire, is required for all concessions on City property.
     
     

PROCESS FOR REPORTING COMPLAINTS

1. Provide written notice of the complaint to the City’s field permitting liaison.
2. City staff will review the concerns and decide on the most appropriate course of action.
3. City staff will contact all parties involved to ensure any concerns are resolved in a timely manner.

CITY OF LAKEWOOD COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT CODE OF CONDUCT

The City of Lakewood Community Resources Department supports and promotes an atmosphere of courtesy and consideration toward all individuals. Respectful behavior and interaction with others is expected of all patrons. Abusive behavior is not permitted in any City facility, activity, or program.

Any Community Resources employee designated by the Community Resources Director or his/her designee shall be authorized to enforce this Code of Conduct along with any other rules and regulations applicable to the facility, activity, or program. Designees are also authorized and encouraged to dispatch the City’s Police Department any time patron or participant behavior is deemed to be in violation of the Community Resources Code of Conduct. Violators may be subject to a revocation of the privilege of using facilities or participating in activities or programs. Such determinations will be made according to the City’s exclusion procedures.

CITY OF LAKEWOOD SMOKING ORDINANCE

The City of Lakewood, Municipal Code 9.38, states smoking is not allowed:

• Within 25 feet of an entrance to any facility
• At facilities such as playgrounds, pools, athletics fields, or picnic shelters
• At City events, festivals, or concerts
• At transit stops

Thank you for refraining from smoking and helping to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.

PROCESS FOR NON-COMPLIANCE OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

1. First Violation: Written notification of the policy infraction and possible fine.
2. Second Violation: Revocation of all permits and ban on permitting facilities in the future.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Lakewood Police Department Non-Emergency Line - 303-987-7111

In case of an emergency, call 911 to reach the proper authority (Fire, Medical, Police, etc.)

Field Permitting Policy

Purpose and Application

The purpose of this policy is to ensure uniformity in processing field permits for the public.
This policy applies to field permit requests for any City-owned facilities.

Policy

Community Resources desires to ensure all permit requests are handled in a clear, concise, and uniform manner. All permittees must adhere to the following conditions when using City Facilities:

• All permit payments are due 30 days before the first date of the rental. Reoccurring rental payments are due on the 1st of each month.
• Full refunds will only be allowed 30 days before the rental date, 50% of payment will be refunded if cancelled 14 days before the date of the rental and no refunds if cancelled 3 days or less before the date of the rental.
• All Recognized Local Sports Organizations (RLSO) are required to have a credit card on file.
• The permittee will designate one primary point of contact who is responsible for communicating with City representatives.
• The permittee will provide a designated adult supervisor on site at all permitted activities. 
• Field/facility usage is defined by the City in the permit to ensure approved use is clearly outlined (e.g. dates, times, locations, etc.).
• A separate permit is required for any dates/times outside of the initial permit.
• A City staff member must approve all requests for permit including changes to any existing permit.
• The permittee must keep a copy of the permit on site throughout the duration of the permitted use times.
• The City of Lakewood and its employees/representatives are not responsible for loss or damage to any items or personal property brought to the park/facility by the permittee and/or the permittee’s guests.
• Permittee is solely responsible for any damage to the permitted area and/or the commercial or residential buildings surrounding the permitted area that occurs during the permitted use time.
• The permittee is responsible for the conduct of all of his/her guests. 
• All parties associated with the permittee must abide by the City’s code of conduct and other applicable City ordinances, laws, and rules applicable for public use.
• The permittee must be sensitive to other park users.
• Violent and/or indecent behavior, including profane language, is prohibited on City property.
• The permittee is expected to leave the permitted facility in the same condition as it existed before use; normal wear and tear is accepted.
• Subletting facilities is strictly prohibited.
• No glass bottles/alcoholic beverage are permitted on City property.
• All trash must be collected and properly disposed of before leaving City property.
• Vehicles of any kind are prohibited outside of designated parking areas.
• Snowplows, snow blowers and shoveling of snow are prohibited on City property.
• Failure to follow any City policies and procedures may result in fines, revocation of permits, or other legal ramifications as deemed appropriate by City staff.

In the event of a field closure, permittees must be aware of and adhere to the following requirements:

• The City may close any field at its sole discretion when the health and safety of the participants is in question due to field conditions.
• The permittee shall refrain from using a field when any of the following conditions exist:
  • Standing water is present on any part of the playing area
  • Precipitation of ½ inch or more has fallen within the previous 24 hours
  • Steady rain is falling, and/or the ground is saturated
  • Snow is sticking to or covers the ground (snow removal is prohibited)
  • Grass is sparse, or field is badly worn
  • Frost is visible on the turf
  • Turf can be displaced or dislodged from the ground through normal use
  • Infields or other dirt areas are muddy or when dirt/mud cakes or clings to shoes
• Organizations failing to honor any field closures are subject to fines established to cover the cost of repairs and/or revocation of future field permit(s).
• It is the responsibility of the permittee to know or determine the status of any given field in order to ensure the safety of the participants within the organization/group (Weather Hotline: 303-987-7778).
• Annual rest and renovation periods are scheduled at all sites to maintain sustainability.
  
  

Contact Information

Field Closures/Inclement Weather - 303-987-7778
Email: AthleticFields@Lakewood.org

Procedure

For permit requests , please visit LakewoodCO.gov/FieldRequest.
All payments must be made in full at least 30 days prior to the reservation or the reservation will be canceled.
A $25 flat fee will be added to each permit day the permittee utilizes field lights (Lakewood Park and Ray Ross fields only).
Recognized Local Sports Organizations (RLSO) will be invoiced monthly for reservations prior to utilizing any athletic fields.

Refunds will only be issued if the City of Lakewood closes fields due to weather and/or field maintenance issues and/or the permittee canceled within the appropriate time frame.