All private events in the Park require an application.
Download the PERMIT APPLICATION
The Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park has a commitment to serve the public and enhance the neighborhood by providing green space and cultural enrichment. All proposals for events in the Park are carefully considered in light of their potential to support this commitment.
For detailed information about fees and permit requirements, please click below:
1. Private events and receptions at the Tobacco Warehouse
2. Wedding ceremonies and photography in EFFSP
3. Picnics
If you are interested in holding a ticketed or promotional event in the park, please e-mail Samantha Wasko or phone 718-802-0603 ext. 14 for more information.
| For bookings, please contact Samantha Wasko, 718-802-0603 x14.son |
Frequently Asked Questions
Please refer to the permit terms and conditions for more detailed information.
I am looking to have an event in the park. Do I have to apply for a permit?
All wedding ceremonies, receptions and photo shoots as well as other corporate or cultural events require a permit. For private picnics, a permit is only required for events involving more than 20 people. If your picnic involves less than 20 people, a permit is not necessary.
Can I check date availability before I submit a permit application?
To inquire about availability for the Park, please e-mail Samantha Wasko or phone 718-802-0603 ext. 14. We cannot, however, guarantee the availability of time/space prior to receiving an application, as applications submitted earlier may be mid-process and not yet reflected on the schedule.
For the Tobacco Warehouse and larger wedding ceremonies, we are now fully booked for the 2008 season. At this point, we can only permit wedding ceremonies with 50 people or less attending and no additional set up (no furniture, no amplified sound).
Can I book my 2009 event yet?
We are accepting applications for 2009 now. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any information about availability since we are not yet processing the applications. Once we create our calendar for public prgramming and private events in September/October 2008, we will start to process applications in the order we have received them. We will contact you if there is a date conflict, but we won't be able to confirm any event dates for 2009 until November/December 2008. To request a date, please send in the PERMIT APPLICATION together with the $25 non-refundable application fee.
How do I apply for a permit?
Download and complete the PERMIT APPLICATION and return it to the EFFSP Event Coordinator with a $25.00 certified check or money order payable to NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. This is a non-refundable application fee. WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS. You will be invoiced for any additional costs after your application has been processed.
The permit application asks for vendor and other information I don’t have yet, what do I do?
Provide as much information as you can with the understanding that all the information requested must be provided no less than 8 weeks prior to your event.
What is the cost for my event permit?
You can download the fee schedules for private events above. If you would like to present public programming or larger private events, please contact our programming staff directly: Kellie Rogers (Public Programming) at 718.802.0603 x.12 or Samantha Wasko (Private Events) at 718.802.0603 x.14.
Do I have to pay all costs associated with my event up front?
Wedding ceremony, picnic, and photography invoices are due within ten days of receipt of the invoice and must be paid in full. For wedding receptions, corporate, cultural, or other large scale events, payment schedules are available. You will be invoiced for your costs. Please do not send any payments prior to the receipt of an invoice.
Can I get a refund if I have to cancel my event?
Applicants who cancel corporate events, cultural events, ticketed events, galas and other large scale events six months prior to the event date will be entitled to a refund of 50% of their Initial Deposit, Event Fees and Additional Costs paid to date (the "Applicant Payments"). Applicants who cancel such events between two and six months prior to the event date will be entitled to a refund of 25% of the Applicant Payments. Applicants who cancel such events less than two months prior to the event date will receive no refund.
Applicants who cancel wedding receptions six months prior to the event date will be entitled to a refund of 100% of the Applicant Payments minus a $500 cancellation fee. Applicants who cancel wedding receptions between six and two months prior to the event date will be entitled to a refund of 50% of the Applicant Payments. Applicants who cancel less than two months prior to the event date will not receive a refund.
Applicants who cancel wedding ceremonies two months prior to the event date will be entitled to a refund of 50% of the Applicant Payments. Applicants who cancel less than two months prior to the event date will not receive a refund.
Applicant Payments for wedding photography are not refundable.
In all instances, the $25 Permit Application Fee is non-refundable. No refunds will be granted for cancellations due to weather, emergency circumstances, or other events outside of the control of PARKS or the Event Coordinator. PARKS and the Event Coordinator do not assume any liability for costs incurred by Applicant due to the cancellation of an event.
How far in advance should I apply for my permit?
We suggest you apply as far in advance as possible. It is not unusual for dates to be requested a year in advance. We do not process requests that are received less than 30 days prior to the requested date. For events in the Tobacco Warehouse, permit applications have to be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event date.
How will I know if my application has been accepted / approved?
You will receive a call from the event coordinator when your application has been received to discuss the details of your event.
Can I reserve a rain date?
All events are rain or shine. If you would like to reserve a rain date, you must submit an application and pay any fees associated with the additional date.
When will I receive my permit?
If all permit obligations have been met the permit is issued and put on hold for you at the Ranger Office in Empire Fulton-Ferry State Park, located at the Water Street entrance to the park. You or a respresentative must stop in to the office on the day of your event to sign and receive your permit.
Will the park be closed to the public during my event?
The park will not be closed during regular park operating hours for private events. Your permit allows you use of the designated area/areas described on the permit during your permitted time. The park will remain open to the public in other areas for the duration of the event.
What are the park's operating hours?
Currently the park is open every day of the year from 8:00am to dusk.
Can my event go past park closing?
Certain events are allowed to go past park closing, but will incur additional overtime for park personnel as determined by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Are there bathrooms available on site?
There are two public restrooms in the park. If you are holding a large event, we suggest, and may require that additional facilities are rented to accommodate your guests.
Are there dressing rooms or catering facilities on site?
There are no dressing rooms, brides rooms, or catering facilities on site. Park personnel can, however, provide access to water for your caterer.
What is included in the rental of the Tobacco Warehouse?
Rental of the Tobacco Warehouse includes a 60’x120’ Anchor Span party tent, access to 400 watts of electricity and water, and the shared use of two public bathrooms.
What is NOT included in rental of the Tobacco Warehouse?
The Tobacco Warehouse provides a raw palette in which to create your event. We do not provide furnishings, lighting, sound, decoration or catering. You are required to contract these services through third party vendors.
Do you have a list of preferred vendors?
The park does not have a list of preferred vendors. You are allowed to contract with any vendor you like, as long as they have, and are able to provide proof of $1MM in general provision liability insurance with $2MM in the aggregate. If you are serving liquor, your caterer must also be able to provide a minimum of $500K in liquor liability insurance. We can provide you with a list of vendors with experience in the park with the understanding we don’t guarantee or endorse their services.
Is there parking available?
There is no public parking provided for Empire Fulton-Ferry State Park but there are several parking garages in the vicinity of the Park.
