PARKS DIRECT Help

How to rent a shelter at Watkins and Cosca parks

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Together, Watkins and Cosca regional parks have over 20 shelters. Go to the article on how to rent an open shelter if you're interested in renting a shelter from a park other than Watkins and Cosca regional parks.

Go here for information on Parks and Recreation's rentals.

Sign in to PARKS DIRECT

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

2. Select Browse then Watkins Park Picnic Shelters or Cosca Park Picnic Shelters

  • You’ll find Browse on the navigation bar at the top of PARKS DIRECT's website and the picnic shelters' pages under the Park Permits section.
PARKS DIRECT Browse menu expanded showing Cosca Park Picnic Shelters and Watkins Park Picnic Shelters under Permits Service

Available shelters will show book now in green, if the time is grayed out, the picnic shelter is not available on that day for rental.

Expand or collapse content Watkins Park Picnic Shelters (select here)
  1. Enter the date you are renting a shelter in the Date filter.
    • When you select a date box, a pop-up calendar appears. On the pop-up calendar, select the date you would like to rent a shelter, and then click Done.
Date picker showing March 10, 2023 selected with the Done button highlighted

2. Select Search below the filters on the left.

PARKS DIRECT search filters showing Date field set to 03/08/2023 and the Search button highlighted

3. Choose your picnic shelter by selecting Book Now by the Pavilion you'd like to reserve.

WebTrac Facility Search result for Watkins Picnic Shelter #0 showing capacity of 100 and the green Book Now time slot highlighted

Available shelters will show book now in green, if the time is grayed out, the picnic shelter is not available on that day for rental.

4. Select Add To Cart on the pop-up banner.

Capacity varies shelter to shelter, and is listed for each shelter

Selected Items panel showing Watkins Picnic Shelter #0 with the Add To Cart button highlighted

Above the Facility listing view, you can select the Display Option box to 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 shelters.

Detail - Lists 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 - Shows a map of the park.

Display Option menu expanded showing Listing, Detail, Calendar, and Graphical view choices with Graphical highlighted

Complete your purchase

5. Check the checkbox next to the family member who's paying for the shelter. Then select Continue.

Family Member Selection screen showing Watkins Picnic Shelter #10 selected for one member with the Continue button highlighted

6. Enter why you're renting the shelter in the Reservation Purpose box. For example, you might rent a shelter for a birthday party, high school graduation party, or family reunion.  

Questions section showing empty Reservation Purpose field

7. Read the rental waiver, move down the page, and check the checkbox next to I agree with the above and select Continue.

Waiver acknowledgment checkbox and the Continue button

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

PARKS DIRECT Shopping Cart showing Watkins Picnic Shelter #10 rental with Grand Total Fees Due and the Proceed To Checkout button highlighted

9. Enter your customer and payment information, complete the captcha, and select Continue.

PARKS DIRECT Checkout screen showing customer information fields, payment information form, captcha checkbox, and the Continue button
Expand or collapse content Cosca Park Picnic Shelters (select here)
  1. Enter the date you're renting a shelter in the Begin Date and End Date filters.
    • When you select a date box, a pop-up calendar appears. On the pop-up calendar, select the date you want to rent a shelter.

When searching for shelters or campsites, make sure the end date is the same or after the beginning date; otherwise, PARKS DIRECT will show everything as unavailable.

Date picker showing March 10, 2023 selected with the Done button highlighted

2. Select Search below the filters on the left.

PARKS DIRECT search filters showing Date field set to 03/08/2023 and the Search button highlighted

3. Choose your picnic shelter by selecting Book Now by the Pavilion you'd like to reserve. 

WebTrac Facility Search result for Cosca Picnic Pavilion showing capacity of 250 and the green Book Now time slot highlighted

Available shelters will show book now in green, if the time is grayed out, the picnic shelter is not available on that day for rental.

4. Select Add To Cart on the pop-up banner.

Capacity varies shelter to shelter, and is listed for each shelter

Selected Items panel showing Cosca Picnic Pavilion with the Add To Cart button highlighted

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

Listing - Shows shelters in a list.

Detail - Shows shelters in a list with the park’s address and the shelter’s maximum capacity.

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

Graphical - Shows a map of the park.

Display Option menu expanded showing Listing, Detail, Calendar, and Graphical view choices with Graphical highlighted

Complete your purchase

5. Check the checkbox next to the customer who's paying for the shelter. Then select Continue.

Family Member Selection screen showing Cosca Picnic Shelter #6 selected for one member with the Continue button highlighted

6. Enter why you're renting the shelter in the Reservation Purpose box. For example, you might rent a shelter for a birthday party, high school graduation party, or family reunion.  

Questions section showing empty Reservation Purpose field

7. Read the rental waiver, move down the page, and select the checkbox next to I agree with the above > Continue.

Waiver acknowledgment checkbox and the Continue button highlighted

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

PARKS DIRECT Shopping Cart showing Cosca Picnic Shelter #6 rental with Grand Total Fees Due and the Proceed To Checkout button highlighted

9. Enter your customer and payment information, complete the captcha, and select Continue.

PARKS DIRECT Checkout screen showing customer information fields, payment information form, captcha checkbox, and the Continue button
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