Park Shelter Rentals
Valpo Parks offers over 750 acres of beautiful parkland. Whether you’re planning an event at one of our inviting shelters or simply looking to enjoy a day surrounded by nature, we’ve got the perfect spot waiting for you.
To secure your spot, reservations and any add-ons must be made at least two weeks in advance. Full payment is required at the time of booking and is non-refundable. Please note that all shelters are equipped with lights that activate at dusk.
Optional Add-ons
Bounce House and Inflatable Slide are available to rent and can only be used if rented through Valpo Parks with a shelter rental. You must call the Office to add to your reservation.
Bounce House: $220
Inflatables Slide: $270
General Guidelines
- Reservations require payment in full at the time of booking. All fees for facility reservations are non-refundable, and reservations are valid regardless of weather conditions ("rain or shine"), except in the event of cancellation by Valpo Parks.
- No person shall bring or use any artificial petals, leaves, glitter, confetti, rice, fireworks, or tiki torches.
- Amplified music must be contained within the immediate area of the shelter or gazebo.
- The sound should not be clearly audible from the nearest park entrance, parking lot, or adjacent park amenity. Regardless of the decibel level, if the music is determined to be disruptive to other park users or neighbors, the renter must lower the volume or turn off the music.
- No person shall amplify sound using blowhorns, whistles, car horns, or any other type of excessive sound amplifying device.
- No person is permitted to use or hang any decorations that will cause damage to any shelter, gazebo, or structure located at a shelter or gazebo.
- No person shall use chalk anywhere within a shelter or gazebo.
- All individuals or groups reserving an area are responsible for cleaning the area upon completion of their activity or termination of their reservation. Failure to properly clean the area may result in additional charges.
- Any event that will exceed the shelter capacity must be approved by the Valpo Parks Office prior to reserving.
- No canopies or tents.
City Parks with Shelters
Park Location
5320 N Campbell Street, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Park Amenities
Located on Loomis and Spectacle Lake, this 122-acre park is the perfect place to spend a day outdoors! Whether your passion is hiking, biking, fishing, boating, picnicking, disc golf or simply catching a few rays in the sunshine, Rogers Lakewood provides something for every member of the family. There is a playground and the park has both paved and un-paved trails, for biking, walking, and running. You can plan your next family or neighborhood event at Rogers Lakewood Park! Seasonal restrooms are available, Fishing license is required and dogs must be leashed.
Optional Add-ons
- Gate Code for your guests: $50 with a shelter rental
- 2 additional picnic tables: $45
Quick Links
Park Store and Rentals
Entrance Fees & Lakewood Passes
Discovery Day Camp Shelter |
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The Discovery Shelter is a large open sided shelter located on the North end of the park in Rogers Lakewood Park.
- Rental fee: $130
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 12
- Capacity: 96
- Electrical outlets available
- Bathrooms are seasonal and located on the North side of the Derby Downs building.
- Shelter has limited use during Discovery Day Camp session dates during the week
Kiwanis West Shelter |
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The Kiwanis West Shelter is a large open sided shelter, with a beautiful view of the water. It is located just past the entrance of the park.
- Rental Fee: $110
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 15
- Capacity: 120
- Electrical outlets available
- Bathrooms are seasonal and located across the parking lot
Kiwanis East Shelter |
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The Kiwanis East Shelter is a small open sided shelter, with fire place and a beautiful view of the water. It is located just past the entrance of the park next to Kiwanis West.
- Rental Fee: $110
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 2 fit under the shelter and 2 nearby the shelter
- Capacity: 16
- Electrical outlets available
- Bathrooms are seasonal and located across the parking lot
Hickory Grove Shelter |
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The Hickory Grove Shelter is a open sided shelter located on the east side of Rogers Lakewood Park, nearest to the boat ramp.
- Rental Fee: $110
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 7
- Capacity: 56
- Electrical outlets available
- Bathrooms are attached to the shelter and will be unlocked with a rental
Park Location
3210 N Campbell Street, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Amenities
This 30-acre community park offers a 5,230-square-foot playground designed for children ages 2-12—featuring a 12-foot accessible Aventus Tower, 10 slides, smooth poured-in-place surfacing, inclusive bench swings, and a variety of sensory play and ground-level and elevated components—two shelters, the Tri Kappa Gazebo, the Service Memorial Fountain, a StoryWalk, a community garden, nature trails, and an arboretum.
Seasonal handicap-accessible restrooms and on-site parking are also available.
The Valpo Parks Administration Office and Maintenance Facility are located at this park.
Community Garden
Next to the Admin Office is the Community Garden, with individual plots open for registration in March. Click HERE for more information.
The Prairie and Arboretum
As part of the master plan, Valpo Parks created a native tree arboretum and restored upland, mesic, and wetland ecosystems, which existed on these 20 acres prior to agricultural activity.
The Prairie is unique in the current park system as a place where only native vegetation is displayed, providing an area where native ecosystems can be observed and studied. Our hope is that our visitors gain an appreciation for what once was here and become able to identify invasive plants on their own properties.
Caterpillar Shelter |
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- Rental Fee: $130
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 8
- Capacity: 64
- Electrical outlets available
- Seasonal restrooms are just east of the playground
Monarch Shelter |
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Monarch Shelter is non-reservable and open for all to enjoy.
Park Location
1400 Glendale Boulevard, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Amenities
This 9-acre community park offers a 17,000-square-foot fully accessible playground for children ages 2-12, featuring swings, slides, climbers, spinners, balance, and sensory elements, a shelter, wooded area, and open space.
On-site parking and a seasonal restroom are available.
Family Express Pavilion |
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- Rental Fee: $130
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 14
- Capacity: 112
- Electrical outlets available
- Seasonal restrooms are right next to the shelter
Park Location
575 Harrison Boulevard, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Amenities
Forest Park is a 10-acre park with two shelters. It is a popular leisure site in the city and is located just off Harrison Boulevard, west of Campbell Street.
On the west end of the park is an open play area suitable for frisbee, soccer practice or relaxing in the sun, and a backstop suitable for youth baseball/softball practice. Nearby are the Rotary Shelter and a playground. Walking trails connect this area to the the east end of the park, with a 2-acre open greenspace and the Beta Shelter. Just a short walk further to the east will bring you to Ogden Gardens and its unique floral displays, gazebo, memorial gardens, trees, and shrubs.
Rotary Shelter |
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- Rental Fee: $110
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 15
- Capacity: 120
- Electrical outlets available
- Fireplace (no wood is provided, all fires must be extinguished before leaving)
- Seasonal restrooms are just east of the playground
- This shelter is located at the top of the Hill, on the West side of the park
Beta Shelter |
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- Rental Fee: $110
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 8
- Capacity: 64
- Electrical outlets available
- Seasonal restrooms are just east of the playground
- This shelter is located closest to Ogden Gardens
- To reserve please call the Valpo Parks Office (219) 462-5144
Park Location
400 Elmhurst Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Amenities
Jessee-Pifer Park is a 2.3-acre parcel and is truly a neighborhood park, being landlocked by the city block bordered by Weston, Elmhurst, and Madison streets. There is an identifying sign near the sidewalk that accesses the park from Elmhurst. All parking is on a city street. There is playground equipment, swings, some open space, and a shelter at this park. There is a paved basketball court and a pickleball court with no net. Jessee-Pifer is also a great spot for sledding in the winter.
Jessee-Pifer Shelter |
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Rental fee: $130
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 6
- Capacity: 48
- Electrical outlets available
- There are no restrooms at this Park. Port-a-johns are available for an additional cost.
- Inflatables Rentals are not permitted at this Park.
Park Location
354 Morgan Boulevard, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Amenities
This 2.5-acre neighborhood park offers a 4,900-square-foot playground designed for children ages 2-12, featuring swings, slides, climbers, and balance and is accessible via an ADA-complaint walkway and ramp, a hard surface basketball court, a shelter, and open space. Newly added three-hole disc golf mini-course and concrete cornhole boards.
On-site parking and a seasonal restroom are available.
Will Park Shelter |
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- Rental Fee: $130
- Rental Period: 9 am - 10 pm
- Number of Picnic Tables: 8
- Capacity: 64
- Electrical outlets available
- Seasonal restrooms are attached to the shelter and only open with a reservation
Tower Park Shelter is non-reservable and open for all to enjoy.
Park Location
1000 Franklin Street, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Amenities
Tower Park is a 3-acre community park offering an all-new experience, renovated through the rePLAY project in 2025. The updated playground features a custom 10-foot tower with two levels of play, nets, climbers, swings, activity panels, and a 10-foot slide. Musical play instruments add a creative and interactive element for families to enjoy.
The park also includes LED lighting throughout, ADA-accessible walkways, and a dog- and ADA-friendly water fountain. An artificial turf youth diamond sports field, one lighted pickleball court, two lighted basketball courts, a shelter, open space, restrooms, and on-site parking are available.
This park features Samardzija Field, an all-weather turf youth baseball field. For more information on field an court rental click HERE.
Please note shelters at this location will be unavailable after July 6, 2025 due to upgrades to the Park.
Park Location
400 N Roosevelt Road, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Amenities
Valpo’s most historic park, now over 100 years old, is getting a major upgrade. This transformation will bring a brand-new playground, three new shelters, two new restrooms, an improved ballfield, a new parking lot, ADA-accessible pathways, bright LED site lighting, a beautiful native restoration area with trails, and a reshaped greenspace for even more outdoor fun!
Shelters
Two shelters will be available to reserve, while the third will remain non-reservable and open for everyone to enjoy.