Frequently Asked Questions

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Cancellations
Security Deposit/Key Pickup (Recreation Buildings)
Miscellaneous
Can I reserve a location online using my SMARTlink account?
Can I view the building before I make my reservation?
When can I pick up the key for my reservation?
How soon will my security deposit be returned?
How soon can I enter my rental location?
What comes included with my rental location?
Is alcohol allowed?
Are there any cancellation fees?

Q: Cancellations

A: CANCELLATION POLICY (effective for rentals after 1/1/16):
• All cancellations prior to sixty (60) full days of an event will result in an 80% refund of the rental cost.
• All cancellations between sixty (60) and fourteen (14) full days of an event will result in a 50% refund of the rental cost.
• All cancellations within fourteen (14) full days of an event will not be eligible for any refund.
• To cancel, you must email park-permits@pgparks.com or write "CANCEL" on the original permit/receipt issued and either fax it to 301-699-2401 or hand-deliver it to the Permits Office during business hours. It must also be initialed by customer and include today’s date.

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Q: Security Deposit/Key Pickup (Recreation Buildings)

A: Key Pickup/Return
• Key must be picked up by permit holder or designee 21 years or older who is a Prince George’s or Montgomery County resident.
• Permit Holder/Designee that picks up key must have the original permit or a copy with them.
• Weekday rentals — key must be picked up on the business day before the reservation by 4 p.m.
• Weekend rentals — key must be picked on the Wed. or Thurs. prior to event by 4 p.m.
• If key is picked up late, a $25 fee will be charged.
• Key must be returned within 2 business days of the event. If event date is Friday through Sunday, the key must be returned on Monday or Tuesday by 5 p.m.
Security Deposit
• The deposit ($200 for recreation buildings, $300 for the Adelphi Mill) covers security requirements of rental policies, building upkeep, and key pick-up/return.
• Must be paid by cash (exact amount) or credit card (Visa/Mastercard only).
• No refunds for maintenance issues if client did not call emergency maintenance or Park Police during the event.
Deposit Return/Forfeiture
• Deposit will be returned after a rental is completely checked out by the Park Permits staff and maintenance, and will be returned in the manner paid. A portion or the total amount of the security deposit will be retained for violations to the rental agreement such as excessive cleanup, damage to the facility or grounds, accessing the facility outside of rental hours or late key return.
o Credit card transactions will be returned back to credit card within 7 to 10 days.
o Cash transactions will be returned in the form of a check, which will be mailed to the main contact at the current address on the account, will take 2 – 3 weeks.
• If the key is returned after 5 p.m. on the second business day, the client forfeits $50 of the security deposit.
• If the key is not returned, the client forfeits the entire security deposit.
• If the facility is damaged or policies were violated, the client will forfeit the entire security deposit, or a portion of it.
• If damages exceed the deposit price, an additional fee pursuant to the damage done/time spent to rectify issues (maintenance hours, supplies, etc.) may be assessed. The client’s account will be frozen until full payment is received.

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Q: Miscellaneous

A: Maintenance Practices
• A maintenance crew visits each building before every event to provide basic maintenance: trash removal from the building, cleaning and stocking the restrooms, sweeping and mopping (not buffing) the floors.
• Crew may arrive after client has entered the building depending on schedule. Client may elect to clean the facility themselves or wait for maintenance to arrive.
• If an issue occurs during the event (for example—air conditioning fails), client must call on-call emergency maintenance (included on of back of permit) at (301) 459-3232 or (301) 459-9088.

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Q: Can I reserve a location online using my SMARTlink account?

A: At this time rentals can only be done in person at our Park Permits office or with a representative by phone. All rentals require customers to have a SMARTlink account. If you don’t have a SMARTlink account, feel free to view our page: Become a SMARTlink Customer. When you are ready to open an account, you can visit any of our Community Centers or our Park Permits Office (located at 6600 Kenilworth Avenue, Riverdale, MD 20737) in person.

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Q: Can I view the building before I make my reservation?

A: We encourage all customers to view our buildings to make sure they are the right fit for their event. To view any of our recreation buildings or Adelphi Mill, simply visit our Park Permits office (located at 6600 Kenilworth Avenue, Riverdale, MD 20737) during our viewing days of Monday thru Wednesday with a $40 cash deposit. You can take up to three (3) keys and visit our locations to view them both inside and out. After viewing, you can return the key either the same day or the next day before 5 PM and we will return your $40 deposit in full. We recommend you give us a call to make sure the location is available for viewing.

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Q: When can I pick up the key for my reservation?

A: You will be able to pick up your key during the same date your security deposit is due, which will typically be two (2) business days before your rental.

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Q: How soon will my security deposit be returned?

A: After the key is returned for your event, you can expect to receive a check within 2 to 3 weeks if your security deposit was paid by cash. If you used a credit card (Visa/MasterCard), you can expect your deposit back on your card within 7 to 10 days.

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Q: How soon can I enter my rental location?

A: You are welcome to enter during the hours originally stated on your rental contract. Entering the building outside of contract hours may be subject to security deposit forfeiture.

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Q: What comes included with my rental location?

A: We try to maintain 10 tables (tables are rectangular, 6ft x 2.5ft) and 50 folding chairs at all of our rental facilities. Our Adelphi Mill location includes 10 tables and 150 folding chairs, although these amounts are not guaranteed. All tables and chairs are stored at the rental facilities and can be accessed with the provided rental location key.

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Q: Is alcohol allowed?

A: Unfortunately, alcohol is not allowed at any of our recreation building locations or park areas. Exceptions include: Adelphi Mill, Watkins Park Picnic Pavilions 0-4, Cosca Group Pavilion, and Cosca areas 1-4 . *Watkins and Cosca: Only Keg Beer allowed.*

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Q: Are there any cancellation fees?

A: All cancellations requested sixty (60) full days before the event will result in an 80% refund. All cancellations requested between sixty (60) and fourteen (14) full days of the event will result in a 50% refund. Any cancellations within fourteen (14) full days of the event will not be eligible for any refund.

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Reservation Policies

All rentals must be paid in full at the time of reservation.
• Clients must have a verified SMARTlink account before a reservation can be made.
• Clients must be 21 years old to acquire a permit.
• Rentals can be made for family and community events such as birthday parties, bridal showers, etc. The Permits Office reserves the right to approve or reject an event based on the intended use of the facility.
• Multiple concurrent rentals are allowed; however, clients must pay for all rental fees at the time of booking and for individual security deposits as the event dates arrive. Clients may not rent two facilities on the same date.
• Each facility can only accommodate one reservation per day.
• Reservations must be made at least 72 business hours in advance of a rental date.
• Clients are encouraged to view rental facilities before making a reservation (any changes after the booking is completed will be subject to an additional fee).

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Reservation Timelines

• Recreation Building rentals begin on the first business day in September for bookings during the next calendar year.
• Shelter and Garden Plot rentals begin on the first business day in February for the current calendar year (in season).
• Shelter season—first weekend in May through the second weekend in October.
• Garden Plot season—March 1 through December 1.

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Viewing Buildings

• Viewings allowed Mondays through Wednesdays only.
• A $40 cash deposit must be left at the Park Permits Office. The deposit will be returned, in full, after all keys are returned to Park Permits Office
• Clients should call to check the building schedule before coming in to borrow a key for viewing. Please note: Viewings cannot take place on the same day another rental is occupying location.
• If the client cannot return the key on the same day it is picked up, it must be returned by 5 p.m. on the following day.
• Clients can borrow up to 3 keys at a time ($40 total cash deposit for all keys).

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Date/Location Change

• Must be done 30 days prior to event date.
• Must fax, email or bring in the original permit issued with the new location/event date written on it along with their initials and today’s date.
• A $25 change fee will be charged for paid reservations that move to another location or change to another date (must be requested 30 days before event date).

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Late Fee Policies

Late Fee Policies (effective 5/1/2010):
Weekend rentals - $25 late fee will be charged for Friday key and permit pick-ups

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Alcohol

Adelphi Mill
• Any type of alcohol is permitted for no additional fee.
• No sale of alcohol permitted (for example, cash bar).
Recreation Buildings/Neighborhood Park Open Shelters
• No alcohol is permitted at any time.
Regional Park Picnic Shelters
• Allowed at Watkins Park Picnic Pavilions #0-4, Cosca Group Pavilion, and Cosca areas #1-4.
*Watkins and Cosca: Only Keg Beer allowed.*

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Rain/Inclement Weather

No refunds or reschedules will be processed due to rain, snow, etc.

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Park Rules - General Park Rules

• Permit holder must be present at event as they will be the responsible party. Original permit must be present on site.
• Group size cannot exceed capacity of building/shelter (set by fire marshal).
• Not allowed under any circumstances: moon bounces, dunk tanks, pony rides, farm animals, amusement rides, fish fryers, tents, canopies, water slides, ball crawls, carousels.
• No bands of any kind are permitted. DJs and loud or amplified music is prohibited on all outside grounds or any area where the peace is disturbed (indoor bands allowed at Adelphi Mill only).
• No generators.
• No driving on grass.
• Clients cannot charge admission fees, sell, or offer for sale any merchandise, article, or thing.
• The use of park facilities for commercial enterprises or private profit is prohibited. Clients may not practice, carry on, conduct or solicit for any trade, occupation, business, or profession whatsoever.
• Clients may not distribute any handbills or circulars, or post, place or erect any bills, notices, paper, advertising devices, etc., pertaining to their event.
• Additional grills may be brought if they can be hand-carried to the facility (except at Watkins #10-14). Charcoal grills only. Propane is prohibited.
• Ballfields, courts, and play equipment are open to the public and are not the exclusive use of the permit holder.
• Groups must bag and take uneaten crabs and discarded parts from eaten crabs out of the park. It may not be left in trash containers.

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Park Rules - Picnic Shelter Rules

• Parks close at dusk; groups must disperse by 7 p.m.
• No DJs.
• Trash must be placed in provided containers.
• Park Rangers patrol Watkins Park on Saturdays and Sundays in season. Any group using a shelter without a permit can pay for the permit with a credit card at that time or must evacuate the space. Gates are unlocked at 10 a.m. to let vehicle access.

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Park Rules - Recreation Building Rules

• No pets or smoking inside buildings.
• DJs allowed only inside building.
• Trash must be placed in provided containers outside the building.

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Garden Plot Rules

Click here to view a PDF file:
Garden Plot Rules and Regulations

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Our ONLINE FAMILY

www.pgparks.com