New Year, Time to Plan your Events!

by Kelly Tolbert, Recreation Coordinator, City of Prescott
The end of the calendar year is speckled with holidays and dreams of the future.
Many couples become engaged around the winter holidays and wedding planning commences. Perhaps it’s not a wedding one is looking to plan, but rather an important graduation party, family reunion, birthday party or a picnic gathering.
Did you know that the City of Prescott Recreation Services Department offers affordable rental facilities in all of our lakes and in many parks?
Depending on individual wants and needs, the local parks system likely can accommodate your event while offering a safe and affordable option. Covered picnic areas, called ramadas, range in size and come equipped with picnic tables, barbecue grills (make sure to check local fire restrictions), restrooms and other amenities depending on the location.
Find the location that works for you.
For example, Flinn Park has a small ramada that will accommodate 40 people, limited parking and restrooms (due to winterization in the cold months), a large grass field, playground, half-court basketball pad, barbecue grills and picnic tables. This park is ideal for children’s birthday parties, baby showers, family picnics and similar smaller events.
Ken Lindley Park ramada is small in size, as well, with limited parking, but has a state-of-the-art skate park within walking distance. This park is also perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, picnics or any smaller gathering benefitting from a playground and restrooms open year round.
Two medium-sized ramadas are available for reservation. Granite Creek Park ramada has a 200-person capacity (due to parking availability), restrooms, horseshoe pits, volleyball net, walking track, picnic tables and barbecue grills. This will accommodate most any event. Vista Park will hold 75 people comfortably. Parking is a bit limited, but there are restrooms, two age-specific playgrounds, hiking trails and large turf areas for lawn games, etc.
Watson Lake features both a small (Lower) ramada and a large (Upper) ramada available for reservations. The Lower is located next to the playground, adjacent to a large grass field, has barbecue grills, short walk to restrooms and will accommodate up to 40 people. The Upper ramada reservations include a large ceremony pad situated next to the ramada with breathtaking views of the lake. Barbecue grills and restrooms are nearby. This location does not limit group size but does require a parking fee in addition to the rental fees unless it is a Wednesday (fee free day).
Watson Lake is home to the City’s only campground and offers 35 campsites (19 can be reserved at least a week in advance), all of which are “dry camping.” Camping is open seasonally from April through the first part of October.
Willow Lake offers two ramada options considered to be large ramadas. They are called the Hilltop ramada (located on top of a hill) and the Garden ramada (located closer to Heritage Park athletic fields and restrooms are in close proximity). They will both accommodate large groups (no size limit) and also require a parking fee unless it is a Wednesday.
Willow Lake offers great hiking trails, barbecue grills, restrooms and a playground over near the athletic fields. Prehistoric archeological ruins remain on site with volunteers from the local chapter of the Archeological Society providing tours the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.
Goldwater Lake is home to three large sized ramadas, but they are limited to groups of 100 due to limited parking. Because of limited parking and the lake’s popularity, requests for reservations can be made via “reservation request” in the City’s online system. Staff review the requests, either accepting or denying (and provide other available options). Then, an invoice will be created and emailed to the customer that can be paid easily online.
Goldwater Lake offers many amenities, including volleyball court, horseshoe pits, barbecue grills, hiking trails, restrooms, two playgrounds and a ceremony pad all surrounded in towering pine forest.
Third-party concessionaires operate seasonally at Watson and Goldwater lakes renting watersport equipment such as kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards. Fishing is allowed at all three lakes provided Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations are followed (license may be required).
All facility rentals require a refundable security and damage deposit along with either a half day rental fee (4 hours or less) or full day rental fee (anything over 4 hours). Commercial rentals require a certificate of liability insurance.
Rental rates vary among location as do operational park/lake hours. City residents who pay for City water service are eligible for a 25% discount on their rental fees with proof of water bill.
For more information or to reserve one of the facilities please
visit: bit.ly/3jIpEsZ.