Spring and summer shelter reservations are going fast

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Although St. Joseph park shelter reservations open in January for, spring and summer, these are the busiest times to rent a space.

Jeff Atkins, Director of Parks and Recreation in St. Joseph, said that beginning with Memorial Day weekend and beyond, park shelter spaces fill up very quickly.

"I looked at the schedule recently," Atkins said, "and most of the shelters are already booked up for many of the weekends between now and September."

Shelters are available for day or weekend use at three St. Joseph Parks: Krug, Hyde and Bartlett Parks. Atkins said the department is always ready to assist people in finding the right shelter based on the needs expressed by patrons.

"The shelters closest to the playground are always popular," Atkins said. "And there's another group of people who prefer ones that are closest to the restrooms."

A majority of the shelters are in Hyde Park, which has four shelters and a gazebo. The gazebo at Hyde Park has no tables and is mostly used for weddings and concerts.

Atkins said weddings are often booked there months in advance. Reservations cost $35 per shelter day and must be made at least eight days in advance. He also said reservations are non-refundable.

Due to the popularity of the shelters in the spring and summer, the Parks Department recommends making plans well before the eight-day requirement, since some of the shelters being used in the spring and summer have been booked since the beginning of the year.

Interested parties can visit the Parks and Recreation website at stjosephmo.gov/577/parks, or call the office at (816) 271-5500.

Jessica Oshel, Special Events Coordinator, said if there are concerns about locations and times, the staff will try to either find an opening close to the desired date or help you find a similar space to try and accommodate the need.