Park Shelters and Rental Facilities
Open Air Shelters:
Open air shelters are on a first come – first serve basis and cannot be reserved.  Electricity is not available.  The following parks have open park shelters:

• Ashleaf Park, 3934 Mary Lynn Drive
• Coronado Park, Eula Drive and Sandler Drive
• Jensen Park, 6301 Aurora Avenue
• Lions Park, 72nd and Aurora Avenue
• Murphy Park, 67th and Urbandale Avenue
• Rocklyn Park, 70th and New York Avenue
• Walker Johnston Park, 9000 Douglas

Rental Facilities:
Urbandale has two enclosed park facilities, one gazebo, and one community room available for private rental to residents and non-residents throughout the year.  Residents of Urbandale may reserve the facilities at any time for the current year.  For the following year, residents may begin reservations the first working day of October.  Non-residents may reserve the facilities the first working day of January for that current year.  Rental reservations must be made in person at the Parks and Recreation Office at 3600 86th Street.

Lions Park - Ralph Whitten Shelter is located in Lions Park, 72nd and Aurora.  This shelter includes a full kitchen and approximately 10 8-foot rectangular tables and 75 chairs.  The building is air-conditioned and heated, and accommodates up to 100 people. 

The Lions Park Gazebo is available for rent only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  There are no tables or chairs furnished.  Electricity is available upon request.

Walker Johnston Shelter House is available for rent only on Friday nights, and all day Saturday or Sunday and accommodates up to 375 people (180 seated).  The facility is also available on weekdays between 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (3 hr. minimum).  The building has a full commercial kitchen, air conditioning, 16 - 6' round tables and 8 - 18" x 6' rectangle tables, and 180 chairs.  

Senior Recreation Center Community Room
The Community Room is located in the Urbandale Senior Recreation Center, 7305 Aurora.  The Community Room has a full commercial kitchen, air conditioning, and approximately 15 - 8 foot, 4 - 6 foot rectangular tables and 185 chairs.  The building is available for rent only on Friday nights, and all day on Saturday or Sunday and accommodates up to 185 people.

Rates:
Lions Park Shelter:
8:00 am - 4:00 pm 
$75 residents (no alcohol), $125 (with alcohol)
$95 non-residents (no alcohol), $145 (with alcohol) 
5:30 pm - 10:30 pm 
$75 residents (no alcohol), $125 (with alcohol)
$95 non-residents (no alcohol), $145 (with alcohol)
8:00 am - 10:30 pm 
$140 residents (no alcohol), $200 (with alcohol)
$160 non-residents (no alcohol), $220 (with alcohol) 

In addition to the rental fees listed above, there is a $100.00 refundable deposit with each rental.

Senior Recreation Center - Community Room:
8:00 am - 4:00 pm 
$200 residents (no alcohol), $250 (with alcohol)
$220 non-residents (no alcohol), $270 (with alcohol)
5:30 pm - 10:30 pm 
$275 residents (no alcohol), $325 (with alcohol)
$295 non-residents (no alcohol), $345 (with alcohol)
8:00 am - 10:30 pm
$450 residents (no alcohol), $510 (with alcohol)
$470 non-residents (no alcohol), $530 (with alcohol)

In addition to the rentals fees listed above, there is a $200.00 refundable deposit with each rental at the Senior Recreation Center Community Room.

Lions Park Gazebo:
8:00 am - 4:00 pm 
$25 residents, $45 non-residents
5:30 pm - 10:30 pm 
$40 residents, $60 non-residents
8:00 am - 10:30 pm 
$65 residents, $85 non-residents

In addition to the rental fees listed above, there is a $100.00 refundable deposit with each rental at the Lions Park Gazebo.

Please note:  If a rental date is less than 2 weeks away, the renter must pay the whole amount in cash.  

 

Rate Increase :  The City Council, at its March 5, 2013 meeting, approved rental rate increases for park facilities, which will be effective July 1st.  The increases were recommended by Parks and Recreation staff after reviewing its operational costs and surrounding community rates.  Prior to this increase the rates were last increased in December 2010.  The approved rates also adjust the times for renting to better align rental times with renter comments.  The approved below rates are for the Lions Park Shelter, Senior Recreation Center's Community Room, and the new Walker Johnston Shelter currently under construction.

Lions Shelter

8:00 am - 3:00 pm:  $175
4:30-10:30 pm:  $150
8:00 am - 10:30 pm:  $300

Senior Recreation Center - Community Room

8:00 am - 3:00 pm:  $350
4:30-10:30 pm:  $300
8:00 am - 10:30 pm:  $600

Walker Johnston Shelter

8:00 am - 3:00 pm:  $525
4:30 - 10:30 pm:  $450
8:00 am - 10:30 pm:  $925
Weekday Rental (3 hour minimum) between 8:00 am - 4:00 pm:  $40 per hour

Additional Fees

Non-Resident:  + $40

Alcohol usage: + $75

Refundable Deposit:  + $100 (Lions) or +$200 (Walker Johnston or Community Room)

How to Rent the Enclosed Shelters, Gazebo and Community Room
Reservations for the enclosed shelter, gazebo and community room must be made in person at the Park and Recreation office, 3600 86th Street.  Please call (515) 278-3963 to see if your date is available. 

Or, to check availability online, click for Lions Shelter, Walker Johnston Shelter, Community Room, or Gazebo.  (Online calendars are updated at the end of every day.)

If your date is available, we can hold your date for the day you call and the following business day.  Within those two days, you will need to come into the Parks and Recreation office to sign the contract and pay the fee and deposit.  Office hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. 

Walker Johnston Park Shelter House  

The City of Urbandale received a $1.03 million Federal FEMA grant to help with the cost to construct the new shelter.  The project will take approximately one year to complete.  The new 5,800 square foot facility will be available for rentals and include a main room about 3,000 square feet, kitchen, restrooms, fireplace, partition wall and covered patio.  In case of severe weather, the shelter will hold up to 600 people.

For design pictures, please click here.

For more information, contact Urbandale Parks and Recreation at 278-3963 or visit www.UrbandaleParksAndRec.org.