COLUMBUS, Ga. - Columbus residents can reserve one of four park pavilions listed in the city's online rental system, with prices starting at $50. Reservations generally must be made at least three weeks and no more than six months before an event, according to Columbus Parks and Recreation. The city also requires a completed rental agreement and full payment before confirming a reservation.

The city's rental information presents two different booking procedures. Its Parks and Recreation rental policies say reservations must be completed in person, while its online WebTrac system allows users to submit reservation requests for staff approval. Residents should call Parks and Recreation at (706) 225-4658 to confirm the current procedure before visiting the office or submitting an online request.

Step 1: Choose From the Four Available Pavilions

Columbus Parks and Recreation offers covered pavilions, picnic areas, fields and other facilities for rentals and reservations. The city's WebTrac reservation system lists four facilities under its pavilion search category: Cooper Creek #2 Pavilion, Heath Park Pavilion, Lake Oliver Marina Pavilion and Oxbow Pavilion & Kitchen. The listed prices range from $50 for three locations to $100 for the Oxbow facility.

The Cooper Creek, Heath Park and Lake Oliver Marina pavilions each show a $50 price in the online system. Oxbow Pavilion & Kitchen carries a $100 listed price and includes access to a kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave. The Oxbow facility also has special restrictions, including a prohibition on grilling and deep frying.

The online system does not provide a capacity figure for any of the four facilities, listing capacity as N/A. Residents planning an event should confirm the available space and any applicable requirements with Parks and Recreation before completing a reservation. The city's online search for shelters returned no results, making the pavilion category the relevant listing for these four facilities.

Step 2: Check Availability Before Making Plans

The Parks and Recreation Department allows residents to check facility availability by calling (706) 225-4658. Staff can provide availability information, but the department's published rental policies say reservations operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The policies also state that the city does not permit temporary holds on rental facilities.

The rental office operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Its location is the Parks and Recreation administrative office at Columbus City Hall, 1111 1st Ave. Residents can use the office phone number to ask about pavilion availability and confirm which booking method currently applies.

The city's online system also provides a way to submit reservation requests. Each of the four pavilion listings states that staff approval is required before payment can confirm a reservation. Because the general rental policies describe a different process, residents should confirm whether an online request is sufficient or whether they must complete the reservation in person.

Step 3: Follow the Three-Week Reservation Rule

Columbus requires reservations to be made at least three weeks before the planned event. The city also sets a maximum reservation window of six months before the event date. These limits appear in the Parks and Recreation rental policies and apply unless the department grants an exception.

The Parks and Recreation director or Recreation Services Division manager can approve exceptions to the reservation window. Residents seeking an exception should contact the department rather than assume that a shorter booking period will receive approval. The published rules do not guarantee that the department will approve requests outside the standard timeframe.

A reservation also remains subject to the city's scheduling priorities. Parks and Recreation events receive priority over other rentals, and the city may cancel rentals because of holidays, construction, repairs or emergencies. When the city cancels a rental under these circumstances, its policies provide for a refund of the deposit and rental fee.

Step 4: Complete the Agreement and Pay the Required Fees

Columbus requires renters to complete the necessary paperwork and pay both the rental fee and applicable security deposit before confirming a reservation. The city's general rental policies state that completing an agreement without making the required payment does not secure the facility. Residents should confirm the total amount due with Parks and Recreation because the online pavilion prices do not provide every applicable deposit amount.

The department accepts checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and debit cards displaying a Visa or MasterCard logo. The online WebTrac listings state that payment becomes necessary after staff approve a reservation request. The department's general policies, however, describe payment as part of the completed reservation paperwork.

The rental policies also establish a minimum renter age of 18. Residents making a reservation must meet that requirement and complete the applicable agreement. Before paying, they should confirm which charges apply specifically to an outdoor pavilion rather than an indoor recreation facility, since the city's general rental page includes policies for both types of spaces.

Step 5: Review Cancellation Rules and Prepare for the Event

The city requires advance notice for renters seeking a full refund after canceling their plans. Its published policy specifies 72 hours, described as four business days, for a full refund. When a renter does not meet that notice requirement, the policy provides for a refund of the security deposit only.

After an event, the city generally refunds the security deposit in approximately six weeks, or 30 business days. The refund depends on the renter leaving the facility clean and undamaged. Residents should review the applicable rental agreement to understand how the department handles deposits and facility conditions.

Oxbow Pavilion & Kitchen has additional arrangements involving access to its kitchen. The online listing specifies a $50 key deposit and directs renters to pick up the key the day before their event at 1111 Front Avenue, second floor. The facility includes a refrigerator and microwave, but the listing prohibits grilling and deep frying.

Columbus Park Pavilion Prices and Facilities

The city's WebTrac system lists four pavilion options with prices ranging from $50 to $100. The prices below reflect what appeared in the online listings reviewed Oct. 28, 2026, and do not establish an hourly or daily billing unit. Capacity information was unavailable for all four facilities, and additional requirements may apply.

All four listings require staff approval of reservation requests before payment confirms the booking. The city's general rental policies separately require a completed agreement and full payment. Residents should contact Parks and Recreation to verify the final price, any deposit requirements and the steps necessary to secure their chosen facility.

Rules for Renting Columbus Parks and Recreation Facilities

Columbus Parks and Recreation maintains general rental rules covering payment, cancellations, renter responsibilities and permitted activities. The published policy page includes provisions for both outdoor facilities and indoor recreation centers, so not every listed requirement necessarily applies to every pavilion. Renters should confirm which conditions appear in their specific rental agreement before scheduling an activity.

The department's published rules include the following.

• Minimum age: Renters must be at least 18 years old.
• Payment: A completed agreement and full required payment are necessary to confirm a reservation.
• Refunds: The general policy requires 72 hours, described as four business days, of cancellation notice for a full refund.
• Security deposits: Refunds generally take approximately six weeks, or 30 business days, if the facility remains clean and undamaged.
• Alcohol and drugs: Alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited in Parks and Recreation facilities.
• Weapons: Unauthorized weapons are prohibited in Parks and Recreation facilities.
• Noise: Renters must comply with the city's noise ordinance.
• Commercial activities: Commercial and fundraising activities are prohibited except for qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
• Administrative charges: The general policies list a $35 administrative fee when a renter charges for any portion of an event.
• Vendor charges: The general policies also list a $35 fee per vendor per date.

The administrative and vendor charges appear in the department's general rental policies, which combine requirements for several facility types. Residents planning an event involving vendors, admission charges or other paid activities should ask whether those provisions apply to the selected pavilion. The same confirmation is important for any security deposit not specifically identified in the online pavilion listing.

For questions about pavilion availability, prices, cancellation procedures or booking requirements, residents can contact Columbus Parks and Recreation at (706) 225-4658. The rental office is located at Columbus City Hall, 1111 1st Ave., and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Calling before submitting a request or visiting the office can clarify the difference between the city's published in-person reservation policy and its online request system.

## How we did this Columbus Times reviewed the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation rental policies and the city's WebTrac online reservation system, available through the Parks and Recreation website. The review included the four pavilion listings, displayed prices, reservation requirements, payment policies, cancellation rules and facility restrictions, using information verified Oct. 27 and retrieved Oct. 28, 2026. Because the city's rental policy page requires in-person reservations while WebTrac offers online requests requiring staff approval, this guide presents both procedures and advises residents to confirm current requirements directly with Parks and Recreation.