Park Rules & Policies

The City of Gainesville's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department has a variety of policies that affect park management and operations. While staff encourage visitation and usage of the nature parks and conservation areas, there are times when activity oversight is needed to ensure the sustainability of our precious natural resources. Chapter 18 of the City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances.

• Please be advised that no bounce houses are allowed in nature parks.  For planning a party or large groups of 30 or more, you must contact Beverly Perry at 352-393-8538 or perrybj@cityofgainesville.org to fill out a park request form.
  
  
• Wildlife issues can range from how to handle injured wildlife to nuisance wildlife causing property damage. The department’s Nuisance Wildlife Policy(PDF, 51KB) was created to assist citizens about the laws and regulations regarding wildlife, provide information about various wildlife species, and direction on how to handle nuisance wildlife.
  
  
•  Geocaching and Letterboxing are two activities that can be fun and rewarding to visitors and, with proper oversight, these activities can be compatible with Nature Operations Division's management goals. A permit is needed in order to place a new geocache or letterbox. Please read our Geocaching-Letterboxing Policy(PDF, 417KB) and complete the Permit Application Form(PDF, 55KB).
  
  
• Research and special projects in natural resource locations for various agency, school, or university students and professionals require a Special Use Permit issued by the Nature Operations Division.  In order to properly manage research requests to protect the limited natural resources available, PRCA staff require a Special Use Authorization Form(PDF, 426KB) to be completed prior to the start of any research or study project.