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Apply for a Permit

Parks Permits

Some park activities require permits to ensure everyone can safely enjoys Milwaukee County Parks.

  • Photography
  • Vendors
  • Geocaching
  • Boat Launches
  • Disc Golf Courses
  • Dog Parks
  • Right of Entry

Formal Photography and Filming

A formal photography permit is required for all wedding, engagement, family and school pictures or any other posed session that uses a park location as a backdrop and/or requires special attire. All permits are subject to tax.

Location

1-Hour Permit

Each Additional Half Hour

Permit Request

Boerner Botanical Gardens Formal Photography (Family/School) 
(414) 525-5601
*plus per person admission fee

 

$35*

N/A

 Boerner Photo Permit Request

Boerner Botanical Gardens Wedding Photography
(414) 525-5601
*includes up to 20 people

$160

$80

 Boerner Photo Permit Request

Mitchell Park Domes Formal & Wedding Photography
(414) 257-5600
*plus per person admission fee

 

 $70* $35 Domes Photo Permit Request

Wehr Nature Center Formal Photography
(414) 425-8550
**plus per vehicle parking fees

 $35** N/A

Wehr Photo Permit Request

Wehr Nature Center Wedding Photography
(414) 425-8550
**plus per vehicle parking fees

 $70** $35 Wehr Photo Permit Request

All Other Milwaukee County Parks Locations
[email protected]

 $70 $35 Parks Photo Permit Request

NEW for 2025: Become a MKE Parks Photographer Member! Membership holders are able to use any Standard Milwaukee County Park for all formal photography needs and receive discounted formal photography rates for all Downtown/Lakefront parks.

 $250/yr N/A

Buy Membership Online
       

 

Commercial Photography & Filming

A Wisconsin tax exemption form, permit and certificate of insurance are required for all commercial and advertising photography and videography. All permits are subject to tax

Location

3-Hour Permit

8-Hour Permit

Each Additional Hour

Application Request

Boerner Botanical Gardens
(414) 525-5601
*plus per person admission fees

$350*

$900*

$120

BBG Photo Permit Request

Lakefront Parks:
Bradford Beach, Lincoln Memorial Drive, McKinley Park, Veterans Park
[email protected]

$350

$900

$120

 Parks Photo Permit Request

Mitchell Park Domes
(414) 257-5600
*plus per person admission fees

$395*

$900*

$120

 Domes Photo Permit Request

Wehr Nature Center
(414) 425-8550
**plus per vehicle parking fees

$250**

$650**

$85

Wehr Photo Permit Request

Wilson Ice Arena
[email protected]
*plus per person admission fees

$350*

$900*

$120

 Parks Photo Permit Request

All Other Milwaukee County Parks Locations
[email protected]

$250

$650

$85

 Parks Photo Permit Request
         

 

Vendor Permits

A Vendor Permit is required to operate a food and beverage, retail, recreational or other service-oriented concession, to collect donations, or to host a raffle or silent auction on Milwaukee County Parks property.

Fees

  • Downtown & Lakefront Park locations: $500 plus tax
  • Standard park and parkway locations: $250 plus tax
  • Separate Fee structures are used at Boerner Botanical Gardens, Mitchell Park Domes and Wehr Nature Center

In addition to the base fee for a Milwaukee County Parks Vendor Permit, the vendor is responsible for fees for

  • Services provided by Milwaukee County Parks (such as utilities, trash removal, etc.) 
  • Additional expenses (such as cleanup, repairs, landscaping and restoration, signage etc.)
  • Additional permits required by Milwaukee County
  • Municipal permit, license or inspection fees

How to Apply

  • Submit your application at least 30 days prior to your requested event date below.

    Submit for A Parks Vendor Permit

  • Note that submission of an application is separate from the decision to award a permit. We will notify you of the results of the initial review, which checks availability of your requested location and date/time. If there is no conflict, your application will continue through the review process. If there is a conflict, we will suggest available dates/times or nearby locations. 

  • If your application is approved, fulfill any additional requirements and make full payment at least 14 days prior to your event.

FAQs

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  I have a license/permit issued by the City of Milwaukee. Will I still need a Milwaukee County Parks Vendor Permit?

Yes, Milwaukee County Parks issues vendor permits for its property. If you sell food, commodities or services on any Milwaukee County Parks property without a vendor permit, you may be subject to a fine and confiscation of your products and/or equipment. Additional licenses from local municipalities may also be required by the Milwaukee County Parks.
 

  What type of insurance is required? Certificate of Insurance (COI):

Many applicants are required to submit a “Certificate of Insurance” in the amount of $1,000,000 of general liability coverage naming Milwaukee County Parks as an additional insured. Milwaukee County Parks must be listed as the Certificate Holder with the address listed as 9480 Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53326. 
 

  Can I operate my business during a Special Event in the Park where I am permitted?

Not without prior approval; Seasonal Vendors cannot sell during Special Events in the Park unless approved by Milwaukee County Parks and the event organizer. This includes July 3rd and July 4th events in all Milwaukee County Parks.

 

  I have additional questions, who may I contact?

Special Events Office Contact: [email protected]

Geocaching

Geocaching is a popular outdoor "scavenger hunt" that uses a global positioning system (GPS) device and internet-published coordinates to locate a virtual or physical cache. A virtual cache may be an amazing view; a physical cache may be a trinket or log book in a plastic container hidden under some leaves. Geocaching is an acceptable activity in the Parks when all the guidelines are followed.

To place a physical or virtual cache, you must have prior written permission from the Milwaukee County Parks Natural Areas Coordinator. For each cache location, complete a separate Geocache Permit Application and provide a map (a Google Earth or similar map).

 

Complete Geocache Permit Application 

Launch Permits

Daily and seasonal launch permits are good for use at ANY of the Milwaukee County Parks launch sites, during the Official Boating Season, May through October.

 Learn More About Launch Permits

  • McKinley Marina
  • Bender Park
  • Riverfront Launch
  • South Shore Park

If you do not have a launch permit, you will be ticketed.

 

Types of Launch Permits

Single-Day Launch Permit: Available ONLY at on-site pay stations.

Seasonal Launch Permit: Available at the McKinley Marina Office during regular business hours or available online. Any transaction not completed by 1 a.m. will be rejected as the system performs updates (from 1– 5 a.m.)

Buy Your Seasonal Launch Permit Online

Disc Golf

Buy a single-day Disc Golf Pass an annual (calendar year) pass, or take out a full permit to host a tournament on all Milwaukee County Disc Golf Courses.

Learn More About Disc Golf Courses & Get Permits

Full Disc Golf Courses

  • Brown Deer
  • Dineen
  • Dretzka
  • Estabrook
  • Madison
  • Root River

Free Short/Practice Disc Golf Courses

  • Milwaukee County Sports Complex
  • Doctor's Park
  • Kops Park
  • Wil-o-Way Grant
  • Wil-o-Way Underwood

Dog Park Daily & Annual Passes

Buy a pass to enjoy unlimited visits to all Milwaukee County Dog Parks! 

Learn More About Dog Parks & Get Passes

  • Bay View
  • Currie
  • Estabrook
  • Granville
  • Warnimont
  • Roverwest

Right-of-Entry Permit

Apply for a right-of-entry permit for utility work or other construction-related impacts to parkland. The Parks Department requires that any outside party seeking to access and/or impact park property for a project must first obtain permission in the form of a Right-of-Entry Permit signed by the Parks Director or their designee. Projects on parkland should be requested ONLY when all other viable alternatives have been explored.

More About Requirements of Right-of-Entry Applications

MILWAUKEE COUNTY PARKS

9480 W. Watertown Plank Road
Wauwatosa, WI 53226
(414) 257-PARK (7275)
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