No more weddings at Pioneers Park

Park activities considered disruptive to weddings

Pioneer Park has long been a popular place for outdoor weddings. I just shot some engagement photos of a couple at the park who wanted to take photos at the iconic columns. They chose that location because her parents got married there. When I told her there were no more weddings allowed there she was very surprised.

I called Lincoln Parks and Recreation to inquire about this matter, which I learned about after some other clients wanted to get married there and were denied.

Here is the new policy of Parks and Rec: The city will not officially allow weddings at Pioneers Park for 2017. The policy beyond that is uncertain but it was expressed to me that it’s not likely to change.

The reason for the new policy is that all the activities at one of the city’s favorite parks were disruptive to weddings. Pinewood Bowl is increasingly being used for concerts and various sporting events and other activities are very common. Parks and Rec didn’t want to risk having anyone’s wedding bothered by other park activities.

Two spots within the park were designated officially locations for weddings. The columns were the most popular, and the city charged a $150 rental fee plus a $100 damage deposit.

The other spot was Pinewood Bowl – a much larger area that could hold more people. The rental fee there was $600 with no damage deposit.

The city now has 11 parks in which it sanctions weddings – including Antelope Park, which has two designated areas in which weddings can be held.

I asked Parks and Rec what would happen if someone just went to Pioneers Park without permission from the city and held a wedding – the answer was simply that the city does not permit weddings within Pioneers Park.

In addition to my clients who called to reserve their date, the city tells me “a few” other couples have called to book weddings at Pioneers Park and were given the bad news.

Those wanting to get married at a city park should call Parks and Recreation to get a list of the approved parks.