Watertown's park system has a wide variety of recreational activities for both the most active and passive recreation interest. Picnics, ball games, playgrounds, tennis, ice skating and may cultural and social events are just some of the happenings which make the park system active and enjoyable throughout the entire year. The Park, Recreation & Forestry Department asks that you obey the following rules of the parks to help make it an enjoyable visit and experience for everyone.

1. Park hours are 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 pm.

2. Please dispose of garbage and litter in the provided receptacles.

3. Please discourage and report all acts of vandalism. (Police # 261-6660)

4. Glass beverage bottles are prohibited.

5. Amplified music is permitted by permit only.

6. Dogs are not permitted in the city parks, except in those parks designated as pet exercise parks.  The dog park on Boomer Street and the trail in Brandt Quirk park are designated as pet exercise parks.

7. Cars are prohibited on all grass areas.

8. It is unlawful to operate or ride any bicycle, roller skates, skateboards or inline skates on any park structure, such as picnic tables, play equipment or retaining walls. 

9.  Camping or staying overnight anywhere within the park system without permission is not permitted. 

10. Flying of model airplanes is not permitted in the city parks. 

11. Practicing golf is not permitted in the parks.

Shelter house reservations are issued at the Park and Recreation Department office. Reservations are accepted the first working day of February each year for the upcoming summer. Reservations will not be accepted by telephone. You must be at least 18 years old to reserve shelters. All fees must be paid at the time of reservations. Users with permits have shelter house priority. The following parks have shelter facilities available to the public: Riverside (Five), Clark, Lincoln, Union, Timothy Johnson and South First Street.

Click here for a complete Park Overview

Brandt Quirk park has 10 lighted courts, Riverside Park has four courts that are lighted, Riverside Middle School has six courts that are lighted and Clark Park has two courts that are not lighted. Lights are available from dusk to 10:30 p.m. and are activated by a push button switch located on the electrical control panel. If people are waiting, play is limited to one hour. Brandt Quirk park courts are reserved by the Watertown Tennis Assoc. on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 10:30 p.m.

Ball diamonds at all parks can be reserved. People having picnics should secure a diamond reservation at the time they get their shelter reservation. A total of thirteen ball diamonds are maintained throughout the parks.

BALL DIAMOND LOCATIONS

The gazebo at Riverside Park is a popular spot for weddings in the park.  There is a $50.00 reservation fee for all weddings.  Reservations can be taken up to a year in advance.  Contact the department office for further information.

RIVERSIDE BAND SHELL

The band shell is available for concerts. Arrangements can be made by contacting the department office. The Watertown Municipal Band sponsors summer concerts on Thursday evenings beginning in mid-June.

The Park Department provides a basic service for the general operation of all facilities. All activities requiring additional equipment and/or service shall be charged a fee to cover all extraordinary service. Contact the department office for further information.