Reserve a picnic shelter or amphitheater

Chester Woods Park and Oxbow Park have several picnic areas available for your upcoming gathering including an outdoor amphitheater at Chester Woods Park.

Picnic shelter and amphitheater reservations open each year on January 2. Shelter maps and availability can be viewed at the park's reservation website. To reserve please call 507-328-7070. Shelter and amphitheater reservations are only refundable if greater than seven days prior to your event. No refunds on the booking fee. No same-day refunds as all transactions have a 24-hour waiting period.

Picnic shelters

Chester Woods Park has seven separate picnic shelter areas, each with a hard surface parking area.

Oxbow Park has three separate picnic shelter areas. The main picnic area has three pavilions.

All shelters include electrical outlets, a fire ring, a stand-up grill, and a vaulted (non-flush) toilet nearby. If the shelter is rented there will be a notice posted on the shelter. If the shelter is not rented it is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are picnic tables in each shelter. For ADA accessible picnic shelter details please call 507-328-7070.

Picnic shelters can be reserved May 1 through October 31. Picnic shelters are on a first-come, first-served basis November 1 through April 30.

Rental times and rates

* $5 booking fee is applied to all shelter reservations

Oxbow Park’s second bridge picnic area has an option for large events (over 100 people) - full-day rental is $300. These events include the rental of the shelter and the surrounding green space. Rentals of this type need to be made by calling Oxbow Park at 507-328-7070 for full details and regulations.

Chester Woods Park Amphitheater

The outdoor amphitheater at Chester Woods Park is available to rent starting June 24, 2024, for $300.00/day. The seating capacity (on rock benches) is approximately 100 with plenty of open grassy areas to place your own blankets or chairs. The amphitheater overlooks the beautiful Bear Creek Reservoir, has electricity, is located near picnic shelters, a large parking lot and playground equipment. This venue can be reserved through October. For more information or rental availability please call 507-328-7350.

Rules and regulations for use of Parks' picnic shelters

1. Reservations must be made through the Olmsted County Parks Department to assure the availability of the shelter of your choice. Shelters are available for reservations from May 1 through October 30.
2. Shelter reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the rental date.
3. Shelter reservations guarantee the renter has the sheltered/roofed area available for use for their event. The water, bathrooms, play equipment, and all green space in the park are open to the public and exclusive use is not included in the shelter reservation nor is the use of these areas excluded from the public unless an EXCLUSIVE PARK USE PERMIT has been authorized. Restrooms are stocked with toilet paper. Soap and paper towels are not provided. Please bring your own.
4. The individual whose name appears on the reservation request is responsible for all damage to facilities for that event and is also responsible for the group’s conduct while using the facilities.
5. Parking and delivery are restricted to designated parking lots only. Vehicles illegally parked may be towed away at the owner’s expense.
6. REFUND POLICY: REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN IF GREATER THAN 7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR EVENT. NO REFUNDS ON BOOKING FEE.
7. No beverage kegs are allowed per the County Ordinance.
8. Shelter renter shall save and hold harmless Olmsted County, its officers, agents, employees, and members, from all claims, suits, or actions of whatsoever nature resulting from or arising out of the renting of park shelters.
9. Persons leasing the park shelters are required to remove all decorations and signs that are used in decorating the shelter. This request includes the removal of directional signs leading users to the shelter.
10. Trash receptacles are not located at each shelter. Please bring your own garbage bags and haul them away to the nearest garbage dumpster. Please leave the picnic areas clean for the next user.
11. Events with more than 250 persons shall be required to provide additional porta-potties and trash receptacles.
12. Please refer to the Olmsted County Parks Rules and Regulations Policy for additional general park rules.