The Town of Bennington allows for the reservation and rental of some public facilities.
In general town park facilities are open and available for use by the public from 7 am to dusk. Please note any rules posted at each location. If you wish to reserve certain facilities, you must reserve in advance with the town or you might be asked to leave by someone with a reservation. Please use the forms below to fill out your application and submit them to the specified office(s) with your payment (typically two checks, one for the reservation, and one for a security deposit) to reserve your spot.
Downtown Events
Information about events, marches, and demonstrations on Main Street or other roads is also provided below on this page.
Insurance
For the upper and lower Willow Park pavilions, small private parties typically do not require insurance. For large events, events with attractions such as a bouncy house, events that include a public performance, other events at the discretion of the town Safety Officer or events at other town locations such as in the Downtown area will require a certificate of liability insurance.
For other public facilities such as the Splash Pad Stage, the playing fields, and the multi-purpose room at the Firehouse, liability insurance is required. In those cases: Applicant will procure and maintain at their sole cost and expense, comprehensive general liability insurance in which the Town of Bennington is an additional insured with combined single limit coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 in the aggregate. Applicant will furnish the Town with a certificate of insurance or a proof of Insurance prior to the Event.
How do I get Insurance?
Start by calling whoever currently provides you with insurance and they can probably assist you. Many Homeowner’s Insurance Companies can provide these required coverages. Contact your local insurance agent.
For the situations where no other liability insurance is available, PACIF (Property and Casualty Intermunicipal Fund) makes it easy for renters to purchase a Tenant User Liability Insurance Policy (TULIP) in an online process that automatically forwards proof of the coverage to the municipality.
- Go to the GatherGuard website (https://app.gatherguard.com/?f=0406).
- Select the category of the event and answer a few Yes or No questions.
- Select “Enter my own venue information” and type in the name and physical address of the municipal location where the event will be held.
- Proceed through the site’s remaining instructions.
- When you (the renter) have paid for this TULIP coverage, the municipality will automatically receive the proof it requires.
Public Events With Over Seventy-Five People
For public events with over 75 people attending you need to contact the police department to discuss whether or not there should be an officer present. Please note and review the policy and requirements for events over 75 people.
Multi-Use Room at Bennington Firehouse
Location:Bennington Firehouse, third floor, 130 River Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Description:
Large room with a total capacity of 288. Projector and large screen available. Tables and chairs available. Kitchen available. The parking lot is also available in it’s own right. Handicap Accessible with elevator.
Reservation Information:
Insurance is required. Please download and read the application instructions provided below. Return the completed application and provide payment in full to EITHER Michelle Farrar, administrative assistant at the Bennington Police Department, or Chief Paul Doucette, Director of Public Safety, Bennington Police Department.
Materials:
Upper Pavilion (East Road) at Willow Park
Location:Willow Park, off of East Road, Bennington, VT 05201
Description:
Large outdoor pavilion at the upper section of Willow Park overlooking the park. Close to handicap access. Built in grill on the south side of the pavilion, and bathrooms on the north side. There are fourteen 6′ picnic tables are on site (seating for 84).
Reservation Information:
In general town park facilities are open and available for use by the public from 7 am to dusk. Please note any rules posted at each location. If you wish to reserve certain facilities, you must reserve in advance with the town or you might be asked to leave by someone with a reservation. Please download and read the application provided below. Return the completed application and payment in full to Chris Barbagallo, receptionist at the Town of Bennington. You can email her at cbarbagallo@BenningtonVT.org, call 802-445-1333, or stop in at 205 South Street, in Bennington, VT.
Materials:
Lower “Jim Ross” Pavilion at Willow Park
Location:Willow Park, off of Performance Drive, Bennington, VT 05201
Description:
Large outdoor pavilion at the lower section of Willow Park near the playing fields. Close to road for handicap access. There are fifteen 8′ picnic tables (seating for 120).
Reservation Information:
In general town park facilities are open and available for use by the public from 7 am to dusk. Please note any rules posted at each location. If you wish to reserve certain facilities, you must reserve in advance with the town or you might be asked to leave by someone with a reservation. Please download and read the application provided below. Return the completed application and payment in full to Chris Barbagallo, receptionist at the Town of Bennington. You can email her at cbarbagallo@BenningtonVT.org, call 802-445-1333, or stop in at 205 South Street, in Bennington, VT.
Materials:
Playing Fields
The public is welcome to use public playing fields without a reservation during park hours and in accordance with any posted rules. If you wish to reserve certain playing fields, you must reserve in advance with the town or you might be asked to leave by someone with a reservation.
Locations:
- Epstein field: Off Monument Avenue Extension, across from entrance to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Bennington, VT
- SVC Soccer Field: Located above the field house off Mansion Drive.
- Willow Park fields:
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- Upper Willow Softball Field (lighted for night use)
- Willow Multi-Purpose Field
- Middle Willow Field
- Lower Willow Field
Description:
Playing fields. View map of field locations.
Reservation Information:
Insurance is required. Please download and read the application provided below. Return the completed application and payment in full to Chris Barbagallo, receptionist at the Town of Bennington. You can email her at cbarbagallo@BenningtonVT.org, call 802-445-1333, or stop in at 205 South Street, in Bennington, VT.
Materials:
Costs:
One Week Sports Camp – $100
Season League – $250 per season (4 Seasons)
– Additional Field 2x per week – $100
1 Day Tournament – $502 Day Tournament – $100
Softball, Upper Willow, Season League w/lights – $500
Thomson Family Stage at the Merchant’s Park (Splash Pad)
Location:Splash Pad park on North Street, just north of Four Corners in Bennington, VT
Description:
Splash Pad is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day; water is on from 10 am to 6 pm. Local non-profit groups can reserve the Thomson Stage for events which requires a reservation through the town (form below). Bathrooms located behind stage. No on site parking; there are two nearby public parking areas.
Reservation Information:
Insurance is required. Please download and read the application provided below. Return the completed application and payment in full to Chris Barbagallo, receptionist at the Town of Bennington. You can email her at cbarbagallo@BenningtonVT.org, call 802-445-1333, or stop in at 205 South Street, in Bennington, VT.
Materials:
Downtown Street Events: Parades, Marches, Street Fairs
Many types of events happen in downtown. In some cases, no prior authorization is required and in other cases, it can be quite complex. You should start by contacting our Chief of Police (Paul.Doucette@vermont.gov) and describe what you are looking to do and you will be advised whether or not you can proceed with your event without additional permits or authorizations.
Generally, events requiring the closure of the street will require several steps outlined below. You should plan on giving yourself ample time to get everything arranged, a minimum of at least 4 weeks is required. Issues around road closures, public safety, permits, vendors, and insurance all come into play.
You must contact the Chief of Police (Paul.Doucette@vermont.gov) to arrange a meeting to plan your event, to include Town staff and others as needed. Prior to that meeting, please review the Planning Check List and Applications below to determine any costs or permits that may be required in case that affects your event planning. While purchase of any needed insurance or payment of other costs is not required prior to the initial planning meeting, you should know those costs ahead of time.
PLANNING CHECK LIST and APPLICATIONS
- FIRST STEP: Review the Bennington Police Department Special Events and Demonstrations Policy located here. As described in the policy, if more than 75 people will attend or alcohol is being served, a police presence will typically be required for public safety. A request for off-duty police officer to provide that presence will be required. A form to submit that request is at the end of the Special Events and Demonstrations Policy linked above. NOTE: Free speech events and demonstrations on public property are not subject to fee collection by the Bennington Police Department.
- SECOND STEP: Road Closure Costs & Permission - Closing Main Street or other streets requires permission from the Select Board and reimbursement of the cost to close the street. Contact the Town Manager at least one month prior to the event so permission can be sought from the Select Board. Costs for town staff time to close the roads must be reimbursed by the event organizer. Closing the road requires four staff for one hour at the start and again at the end of the event, for a total of eight hours of labor. The town provides all needed signage and barriers. The cost depends on when the event is held; if between Monday and Friday, 7:30 am and 4:30 pm, the rate is $28/hour. If after hours or on Saturday, the rate is $41/hour. If on Sunday, the rate is $54/hour (rates as of 12/15/23 - rates may change in future).
- THIRD STEP: Insurance - Certificate of Liability Insurance naming Town of Bennington as additional insured, for 1,000,000 is required for events with more than 75 attendees. See the insurance information at the top of this page.
- FOURTH STEP IF NEEDED: Vendor Permit & License - If you will have people selling items, a Vendor Permit and License is required. Copies of any required state licenses (e.g.: Health Department License for food vendors or alcohol license) must be included with the application.
ADA Compliance and Handicap Accessibility
For inquiries about accessibility, please contact the Director of Facilities Paul Dansereau: pdansereau@benningtonvt.org or call 802-447-9715. For additional information, please visit our ADA Compliance page.