Renting an enclosed or open-air shelter at one of our eight beautiful park locations is the perfect spot for your next special occasion! Please see details and our photo gallery below.
PLEASE NOTE:
DeKalb Park District shelters are available for rent by individuals and groups from April 1 through October 3 each year. Rentals are made on a first-come, first-serve basis. All shelters can be booked up to one year in advance (ex: May 7, 2022 can be booked on May 7, 2021). Rentals must be booked no less than one week in advance to the event date.
You may call the Administration Office (815)-758-6663 to check availability.
In-Person: (Hopkins, the Band Shell, Lions, Welsh, Katz, Rotary, Sweet, Annie's Woods, & McCormick Shelters)
Hopkins Park Community Center
Administration Office (2nd floor)
1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb
Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Full payment is required to secure your reservation. Payment accepted includes cash, check, and Visa or MasterCard. Payments must be made in person or over the phone, depending on which method you are using to reserve.
Renters may pickup a key for their rental date Wednesday through Friday the week of your event between 8:30 am and 5 pm. You may not enter the facility until 8 am the day of your rental unless prior arrangements have been made with the Park District.
A CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.
Built in 1935, the Hopkins Shelter has been a fixture in the park for generations. The shelter was renovated in 2008 to include new bathrooms, a new roof, new windows, new kitchen area and family restrooms.
Located in the center of Hopkins Park, the Hopkins Shelter is great for reunions and large family picnics. It is in close proximity to the playground and swimming pool.
Address: 1403 Sycamore Road
Shelter Capacity (inside): 80 at tables + 20 chairs
Enclosed: Yes Kitchen: Yes Bathrooms: Yes Electricity: Yes BBQ Grills: Yes
Playground: Yes Basketball Court: Yes Ball Field: No
| Hopkins Shelter Rental Rates | Capacity | Rate |
| Basic Rental |
100 or less | $250 |
| Large Group Rental (indoor seating capacity is 100) |
100-150 people | $325 |
| Non-Prime Rental Rates - all day | 100 or less | $200/all day |
| Non-Prime Rental Rates - two hours | 100 or less | $125/two hours |
Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.
Large group rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms, and a designated area adjacent to the shelter to accommodate a larger group. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.
Non-prime rental rates are reduced fees for rentals Monday-Friday. Non-prime dates may also be rented for shorter durations.
Special Events (Hopkins Park Only) Non-profit 501c3 fundraisers and events exceeding 150 people are required to submit a Special Event Application. Additional information may be required during the approval process. Prices for these events are individually quoted based on impacts, costs, and involvement of the Park District. Failure to provide necessary information may result in the cancellation of an event. Due to the impact on the Hopkins Park and the shelter, the number of these types of events are limited to eight (8) per year.
A CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.
The Band Shell is the home of the DeKalb Municipal Band, which is the longest continuously performing band in the country, having been originally formed in 1854. Many special events and seasonal concerts are held at this location.
Address: 1403 Sycamore Road
Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathrooms: Yes, portable nearby Electricity: Yes, available for an additional fee BBQ Grills: Yes, nearby Playground: Yes Basketball Court: Yes, nearby Tennis/Pickleball Courts: Yes, nearby
Located on West Taylor Street, Lions Shelter offers a private setting for picnics and gatherings. There is plenty of open space and a playground in the front of the park.
Address: 700 W. Taylor Street
Shelter Capacity (inside): 80 at tables + 10 chairs
Enclosed: Yes Kitchen: Yes Bathrooms: Yes
Electricity: Yes BBQ Grills: Yes Playground: Yes
Basketball Court: Half court Ball Field: No Sand Volleyball: Yes
Horseshoe Pits: Yes Bags: Yes
| Lions Shelter Rental Rates | Capacity | Rate |
| Basic Rental |
75 or less | $225 |
| Large Group Rental (indoor seating capacity is 75) |
76-100 people | $250 |
| Non-Prime Rental Rates - all day | 75 or less | $150/all day |
| Non-Prime Rental Rates - two hours | 75 or less | $100/two hours |
Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.
Large group rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms, and a designated area adjacent to the shelter to accommodate a larger group. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.
Non-prime rental rates are reduced fees for rentals Monday-Friday. Non-prime dates may also be rented for shorter durations.
A CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.
Located on Russell Road, Welsh Shelter is an open air shelter with a playground, basketball courts, pickleball courts, a ball field, seasonal splash pad, chess tables (bring your own pieces), and plenty of open space nearby.
In close proximity to NIU, Welsh shelter is great for small university gatherings and picnics. Please note that the seasonal splash pad is on a timer that runs from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm.
Address: 651 Russell Road
Shelter Capacity: Seating for 46 under shelter
Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathrooms: Yes Electricity: Yes
BBQ Grills: Yes Playground: Yes Basketball Courts/Pickleball Courts: Yes Ball Field: No Splash Pad: Yes
| Welsh Shelter Rental Rates | Capacity | Rate |
| Basic Rental | 50 or less | $100 |
| Non-Prime Rental Rates - two hours | 50 or less | $75/two hours |
Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.
Non-prime rental rates are reduced fees for rentals Monday-Friday. Non-prime dates may also be rented for shorter durations.
A CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.
Located on Dresser Road, Katz Park Shelter is an open air shelter with a playground, ball fields, a dog park, skate park and plenty of open space nearby.
Address: 393 W. Dresser Road
Shelter Capacity: Seating for 75 under shelter Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathrooms: Yes Electricity: Yes BBQ Grills: Yes
Playground: Yes Basketball Court: No Ball Field: Yes Dog Park: Yes Skate Park: Yes
Katz Shelter Rental Rates
|
Capacity
|
Rate
|
Basic Rental |
75 or less |
$100 |
Non-Prime Rental Rates - Two Hours |
75 or less |
$75/two hours |
Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.
Non-prime rental rates are reduced fees for rentals Monday-Friday. Non-prime dates may also be rented for shorter durations.
A CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.
Located on 7th Street, McCormick Shelter is an open air shelter with a playground, ball fields and plenty of open space nearby.
Address: 1700 S. 7th Street
Shelter Capacity: Seating for 25 under shelter
Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathrooms: Yes Electricity: Yes
BBQ Grills: Yes Playground: Yes Basketball Court: No
Ball Field: Yes
McCormick Shelter Rental Rates |
Capacity |
Rate |
Basic Rental |
50 or Less |
$100 |
Non-Prime Rental Rates - Two Hours |
50 or Less |
$75/ two hours |
Basic rentals includes the shelter house, attached bathrooms and a designated area adjacent to the shelter. Also included are designated grills and picnic tables.
Non-prime rental rates are reduced fees for rentals Monday-Friday. Non-prime dates may also be rented for shorter durations.
A CASH security deposit of $100 is required at the time you pick up the key. This deposit is returned to you when you return the key as long as the shelter house and area, inside and outside, is returned to equal or better condition than it was found. If the shelter is found otherwise, the Park District reserves the right to retain all or part of the deposit. Damages in excess of the $100 deposit will be billed to the renter.
The City of Dekalb created the ponds at Rotary Park for storm water detention purposes in the industrial area between Peace Road and 14th Street. The area surrounding the pond was maintained as open space for several years by the Park District via a lease agreement with the City in which the Park District maintained the grounds and the City maintained the water. In 1993, the DeKalb Rotary Club approached both the City and the Park District about collaborating to turn this space into a park. Between 1994 and 1999, the various amenities, including 3/5-mile loop path, fishing pier, and open air shelter were added.
Enclosed: no Kitchen: no Bathrooms: portable toilet on site Electricity: no BBQ Grill: yes Playground: no Basketball Court: no Ball Fields: no Fishing Pier: yes
Address: 600 E. Roosevelt St.
Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathroom: No Electricity: No Playground: No Basketball Court: No Ball Field: No BBQ Grill: Yes
Address: Woodley Avenue & Miller Avenue
Enclosed: No Kitchen: No Bathroom: No Electricity: no, BBQ Grills: Yes Playground: Yes Basketball Court: Yes, plus baggo, foosball, and ping pong (provide your own bags, balls, paddles or rent from District) Ball Field: No
