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Children flying kites at Danehy Park

Obtain a Danehy Park Picnic Area Permit

Human Service Programs

There are two Picnic Areas (view map) at Danehy Park that Cambridge residents can reserve to host gatherings of 30 - 100 people between May 1 and November 1. Permits are required to reserve these spaces. If you are interested in reserving a Picnic Area, fill out a Danehy Park Picnic Area Permit Request Form.

Picnic Permit requests are accepted beginning March 15 each year. 

Picnic Area permits are granted for the following 4-hour time slots:

  • Before Labor Day: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. or 4 – 8 p.m.
  • After Labor Day: 12 – 4 p.m.

If you have questions, please contact Tom Cusick, Cambridge Recreation, at tcusick@cambridgema.gov

How to Start

  1. Fill out the Danehy Park Picnic Area Permit Request Form 
    Proof of Cambridge residency from the person seeking the permit is required.
  2. Submit your completed permit request form to Tom Cusick, Recreation Division, one of the following ways:
    • Email:  tcusick@cambridgema.gov
    • By mail or in-person drop off:
      Department of Human Service Programs
      Attn: Tom Cusick / Recreation
      51 Inman Street, 3rd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138
  3. You will receive a response to your permit request within 2 business days 
  4. If you have questions about the permit application process, contact Tom Cusick at 617-349-6238 or tcusick@cambridgema.gov

Requirements

  • The person seeking the Picnic Area permit must be a Cambridge resident.
  • The Picnic Area permit fee is $25.00.
  • 100 people is the maximum number of guests allowed in the Picnic Area.
  • The use of grill or cooking equipment in Picnic Areas is prohibited.
  • The consumption of alcoholic beverages is NOT permitted at Danehy Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The use of grill or cooking equipment in the Picnic Areas is prohibited. 

Page was last modified on 4/2/2025 11:04 AM
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