How to Rent a Pavilion in a Berks County Park

Renting a pavilion at a Berks County park costs $125 per reservation, and the Gring's Mill barn costs $250. One reservation can run up to 8 hours, and you book both online through the county's RecDesk portal. Reservations run from April 15 through the last weekend in October, and the online request window opens January 1 each year.

Here is how to reserve a facility, what each one costs, and the rules that catch people off guard.

The five reservable facilities

Berks County rents four pavilions and the second floor of the Gring's Mill barn. These 2026 fees cover the whole reservation, which can run up to 8 hours.

Facility	Where	Max people	2026 fee
Berks Leisure Area Pavilion	1901 Tulpehocken Rd., Wyomissing	50	$125
Gring's Mill Pavilion	2083 Tulpehocken Rd., Wyomissing	50	$125
Gring's Mill Barn, 2nd floor	2083 Tulpehocken Rd., Wyomissing	100	$250
Red Bridge Pavilion	2141 Tulpehocken Rd., Wyomissing	70	$125
Stonecliffe Pavilion	1150 Columbia Ave., Reading	50	$125

For an overview of the county park system itself, see our guide to Berks County parks.

How to book a pavilion online

Standard reservations are handled through RecDesk, the county's online reservation system. The steps:

1. Go to the reservation portal at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Facility.
2. Create a free account or log in. You need an account to request a reservation.
3. Search the facility list and pick the pavilion or the barn you want.
4. Choose your date and your start and end times. One reservation can run up to 8 hours.
5. Submit the reservation request.
6. Pay the invoice, online or at the park office, by the due date. The due date is generally two weeks before your reservation date.

An unpaid invoice cancels the reservation, and the county does not hold dates past the due date.

The free option: groups of 24 or fewer

A group of 24 or fewer does not need a reservation. The parks are public, so any pavilion or picnic table that is not already reserved is first-come, first-served that day. Show up early on summer weekends if you want a shaded table.

Weddings and special events

Weddings, outdoor ceremonies, walks, races, and similar events cannot be booked online. For those you use the Special Use Permit application and contact the park office. The application has a $25 non-refundable administrative fee, and full payment is due with the application. A permit is required for a ceremony of 25 or more people.

Outdoor ceremony fees run in three tiers by group size:

• 24 or fewer people: no fee, 90 minutes
• 25 to 100 people: $200, 4 hours maximum
• 101 to 250 people: $300, 4 hours maximum

Weddings are not permitted on any bridge in the park system. That includes Wertz's Red Covered Bridge, the bridge and dam at Gring's Mill, and the iron pedestrian bridge at the Berks Leisure Area.

Renting the Gring's Mill barn

The barn's second floor holds up to 100 people in about 30 by 42 feet of space. The rental includes ten 8-foot rectangular tables and 70 chairs. You set up and tear down yourself, and you clean up at least 30 minutes before the park closes or you may owe extra fees. A few things to plan around:

• The barn has no heat or air conditioning. Box fans, the ceiling fans, and open windows are fine. Space heaters, portable air conditioners, the fireplace, and generators are not allowed.
• There is no kitchen. You can bring crock pots, cold food, and coolers, and caterers are welcome. Sternos are allowed only inside a chafing-pan frame. Not allowed: other open flames, power strips, extension cords, food trucks, microwaves, mini-fridges, and toasters.
• First-floor restrooms stay unlocked and are shared with other park visitors.
• Park at the barn only to load and unload. Otherwise use the main lot.
• No helium latex or mylar balloons, no confetti, and no staples, nails, or tacks for decorations.
• No DJs or DJ equipment. You can play music through your own speaker.

Park hours, end times, and key rules

County parks open at 8 a.m. every day. Closing time changes by month, and your reservation has to end before the park closes: 30 minutes before closing for a pavilion, and one hour before closing for the barn.

Closing times by month:

• January: 5:30 p.m.
• February: 6:00 p.m.
• March: 7:00 p.m.
• April: 8:00 p.m.
• May: 8:30 p.m.
• June and July: 9:00 p.m.
• August: 8:30 p.m.
• September: 8:00 p.m.
• October: 7:00 p.m.
• November: 5:00 p.m.
• December: 4:30 p.m.

Two rules apply across all county parks: no pets and no alcohol. Service animals are allowed, but alcohol is banned on park and county property.

FAQ

How much does it cost to rent a pavilion at a Berks County park?

A pavilion costs $125 per reservation, and the Gring's Mill barn costs $250. A group of 24 or fewer people pays nothing and uses unreserved tables on a first-come, first-served basis.

When can I book a county pavilion?

Reservations run from April 15 through the last weekend in October. The online request window opens January 1 each year, and you book through the RecDesk portal.

Can I have my wedding at a Berks County park?

Yes, with a Special Use Permit rather than an online reservation. Outdoor ceremony fees range from no fee for 24 or fewer people up to $300 for 101 to 250 people, plus the $25 application fee. Weddings are not allowed on any bridge in the park system.

Does the Gring's Mill barn have heat and air conditioning?

No. The barn has neither. You can use the ceiling fans, bring box fans, and open the windows. Space heaters, portable air conditioners, and generators are not allowed.

What happened to Hunsicker's Grove?

The county transferred Hunsicker's Grove to Longswamp Township. To reserve it, call the township at 610-682-7388.

Sources and contact

• Reserve a Facility and Park Reservation Form
• 2026 Berks County Parks Reservation Information and Fees (PDF)
• 2026 Gring's Mill Barn Rental Policy (PDF)
• 2026 Application for Special Use Permit (PDF)
• Berks County RecDesk reservation portal
• Berks County Parks & Recreation

Berks County Parks & Recreation, 2083 Tulpehocken Rd., Wyomissing, PA 19610. Phone 610-372-8939. Office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more places to visit, see our Blue Marsh Lake guide. For how the county is run, see how Berks County government works.