Facility & Park Reservations

We recommend if you are planning your child’s birthday party or a small gathering (30 people or fewer), that you arrive at your location of choice early and “claim” your spot. Submitting a park reservation form, although not required, can prove helpful. Our parks are highly used and host a large variety of events from birthday parties, family reunions, tournaments, weddings, awareness campaigns, fundraisers and 5-Ks.

If your event includes any of the following, this is considered a large event and park reservation form(PDF, 169KB) is recommended:

• an inflatable item (i.e., bounce house, bubble ball)
• pony rides
• large tents (bigger than 10x10) 
• street closures
• security

Please allow a minimum of two weeks for your park request to be processed. Additional documentation may be required once the park request is received and reviewed.

If you plan to use city streets and/or sidewalks,  are requesting a noise permit, security and or food vendors you MUST complete a Special Event Permit application.

2841 E. University Avenue
Phone: 352-334-2714

Eastside Community Center was made possible through an EDI-Special Project Grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and funding from the Gainesville City Commission, the Alachua County Board of County Commission and the Greater Gainesville Park and Development Group, Inc. 1 baseball/softball field, 1 soccer field, 1 multipurpose field, 2 basketball courts and a playground surround the Recreation Center.

Fred Cone Park Track and Field at Eastside Community Center offers a state of the art eight-lane, competition-quality, 440-meter track with interior field, for pole vault, shot put, high jump and long jump. To reserve the track, a Park Reservation Form(PDF, 192KB) is required. Field lighting is available, fees apply. Track lighting is programmed for community usage from 6 am to dawn, and from dusk until 9 pm.

Two new basketball courts are located in the southeast portion of the park. The new restroom facility operates on timed locks, which open from 7 am to 9 pm, seven days a week.

Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. Facility rentals are available outside of normal business hours. Closed on City Observed Holidays.

Capacity: 200     Size: 8000 sq. ft.

1001 NW 34th Street, 32605
352-334-2186

Albert "Ray" Massey Westside Recreation Center was dedicated to the people of Gainesville in 1972. Surrounded by a beautiful park, racquetball courts, tennis and basketball courts, three full size baseball fields and 1.5 miles of shaded trails. 

Capacity: 204    Size: 8402 sq. ft.

Hours: Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Facility rentals are available outside of normal business hours. Closed on City Observed Holidays.

The H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside Pool)(PDF, 186KB) is part of the Albert "Ray" Massey (Westside) Recreation Center Complex, for more information on the pool please see our Aquatics Section of the web page.

516 NE 2nd Avenue, 32601
352-393-8538

Originally built to serve as a USO Club, the City converted the Boltin Center into a multipurpose facility that serves seniors’ activities and special event gatherings of all types. Boltin features a stage and hardwood floor, as well as modern kitchen, bath and reception facilities.

Capacity: 343     Size: 12000 sq. ft. 

Hours: Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Facility rentals are available outside of normal business hours. Closed on City Observed Holidays.

1700 NE 8th Avenue, 32641
352-334-2185

Originally built as a storefront, this building was converted into a recreation center in 1977 and was referred to as the "Blue Center". The community needed a safe place for the children to play and a gathering area for adults to meet. Throughout the years, generations have used this facility and learned the true meaning of friendship.

Capacity: 50    Size: 1750 sq. ft. 

Hours: Monday through Friday 1 pm to 6 pm. Facility rentals are available outside of normal business hours. Closed on City Observed Holidays.

1028 NE 14th Street 
352-334-5053, 352-393-8337 for gym questions.

Hours: Monday through Friday from 7 am to 9 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm; Sundays from 2 pm  to 6 pm. Facility rentals are available outside of normal business hours. Closed on City Observed Holidays.

Learn more about our Wellness Center Memberships. 

The Dwight H. Hunter Pool (Northeast) Pool(PDF, 85KB) is located in the same complex as the MLK Center, for more information on this pool please see our Aquatics Section of the web page.

1717 SE 15th Street, 32641
352-334-2188

T.B. McPherson, a dedicated and brilliant teacher and coach, was appreciated by the City of Gainesville for his contributions to the growth and development of the City. He was known throughout the community as a coach, minister, teacher, recreation board member and civic leader. In 1969, because of his commitments, this recreation center was named in his honor.

Capacity: 156      Size: 5472 sq. ft. 

The Andrew Mickle Pool(PDF, 41KB) is part of the T.B. McPherson Complex, for more information on the pool please see the Aquatics Section of our web page.

512 SW 2nd Terrace
352-334-3366

Hours:

Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. Facility rentals are available outside of normal business hours. Closed on City Observed Holidays.

A: You are welcome to visit the facility of interest during business hours, which vary for each location. 

A: A reservation is not complete until you have completed a facility use agreement and paid all applicable deposits. Your completed application and deposit must be submitted to Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Administrative Office, 306 NE 6th Avenue, Building B, 3rd Floor, (Monday – Thursday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).

A: Applications may be submitted up to one year in advance, but not less than 14 days prior to the event. A completed application does not guarantee a permit will be issued for our event. You must meet all of your permit requirements and submit payment in full before your reservation is complete.

A: Rental fees are due 14 days prior to the event. Applications submitted less than 14 days before the rental require payment in full (deposits and all rental fees). Payments by check will not be accepted less than 30 days prior to the rental.

A: No, city employees do not receive a discount on facility rentals.

A: Yes, the tables and chairs that are at each facility are available for use and are included in the rental fees. If there is a shortage of tables and chairs that are needed for your event, you are responsible for the cost and arranging of the extras that are needed.

A: You may bring in your own food; it does not have to be catered. However, food cannot be prepared on site. The kitchen appliances can be used to warm or keep prepared foods warm.

A: All teen related or open party rentals have to be concluded before dark and must receive prior approval by the Gainesville Police Department.

A. This type of event is considered a Class I event and is available at a different rental rate.

A. You will need to submit a letter to the department director requesting a fee waiver.

A. No, pavilion usage is received on a first-come, first-served basis (with the exception of Depot Park). However, we highly recommend that you complete a park request form to assist us in our efforts of avoiding possible conflicts or overbooking of events.

A: Most of our parks have grills for use. If you are hosting a large event and desire to bring in your own grill, prior approval is necessary. Stipulations apply.

A: If it’s determined that access to the park is needed, a key will be issued to you.

A: Power sources are not available in our parks with the exception of TB McPherson, Kiwanis and Albert Ray Massey. The outlets are locked and usage must be pre-arranged.

A: No, there are no water sources, outside of drinking fountains, that are available for use.

A: Bounce houses and other inflatable devises are allowed in our parks with prior approval. Inflatable water slides are not allowed. Generators are needed as there is no power at the parks. Proof of insurance is also required from the inflatable rental company.