PARKS DIRECT Help

How to rent a neighborhood park open shelter

Updated on

Many of Prince George's parks have neighborhood open shelters (picnic shelters) to rent for your outdoor events. Go here for information on all of Prince George's rentals.

Go to the article on How to Reserve Watkins and Cosca Park shelters if you're interested in renting a shelter from either of those regional parks.

Log in to PARKS DIRECT and go to the Neighborhood Park Open Shelters page

1. Go to https://mdpgparksweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac and sign in to your PARKS DIRECT account.

  • Select SIGN IN on the upper-right corner of PARKS DIRECT's home page. Then enter your username and password in the boxes. Lastly, select the Login button below the Username and Password boxes.

Only residents from Prince George's and Montgomery counties can rent these shelters. 

Web Login screen showing username and password fields with the Login button highlighted

2. Move down the home page and select the Permits Service tile.

Permits Service tile showing an open shelter with picnic tables

3. Select the Neighborhood Picnic Shelters tile.

Neighborhood Picnic Shelters tile showing a small open shelter with picnic tables

Enter the date of your rental

4. Click on the Calendar icon in the Date field to select the Date, once selected click Done.

Date picker open showing a pop-out calendar with March 15 selected and the Done button highlighted

5. Click on Search to generate a Listing of available Picnic Shelter Rentals for that date.

Search panel with Date, Facility, Keyword, and Headcount filters and the Search button highlighted

Review and select the park where you're renting the shelter

6. Once the Date is selected and Search is clicked, a list of available shelters will generate.

The List of facilities will show the available times for the selected date and maximum capacity of the Picnic Shelter.

7. Click Book Now to add the Picnic shelter to the cart.

8. Click on Add to Cart to proceed.

Facility Search results showing available picnic shelters with Book Now time slot highlighted and Add To Cart button highlighted in Selected Items

Above the Facility Listing, you can select the text next to Display Option and change how shelters are displayed. If you choose Listing or Detail, you might need to change the date in the Begin Date box.

Listing - Lists all shelters.

Detail - Lists all shelters with the park’s address and the shelter’s maximum capacity.

Calendar - Shows the availability for the month you selected under the date.

Graphical - Currently unavailable.

Display Options menu expanded showing Listing, Detail, Calendar, and Graphical view choices

Enter rental information

9. Check the checkbox next to the PARKS DIRECT family member who's paying for the rental and select Continue.

If you need to add a family member select My Account > Household & Member, and select the Add New Member button at the bottom of the page.

Family Member Selection screen showing one member checked for the picnic shelter and the Continue button highlighted

10. In the Reservation Purpose box, enter why you are renting the facility. For example, you might rent a park building for a 3-year-old’s birthday party, high school graduation party, or family reunion. 

11. Check the check box below the Reservation Purpose box.

Questions section showing empty Reservation Purpose field and acknowledgment checkbox checked

Review waivers, then complete your payment

12. Read the rental's waivers. Then check the checkbox next to I agree with the above and select Continue below the waivers.

Waiver acknowledgment checkbox to be selected and Continue button

13. In your shopping cart, review your rental purchase and select Proceed To Checkout.

Shopping Cart showing selected shelter rental with Grand Total Fees Due and the Proceed To Checkout button highlighted

14. Enter your payment information, complete the captcha, and select Continue. You can also donate to a Parks and Recreation sponsored charity by selecting the Add a Donation button.

After selecting Continue, do not use the back button on your browser.

Checkout screen showing customer information, payment fields, captcha checkbox, and the Continue button highlighted
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Next Article How to rent a shelter at Watkins and Cosca parks
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