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.
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 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 11 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:
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.