Picnic Shelters

Riverview Park and Zoo has many picnic tables and benches along the scenic pathways for you to enjoy a picnic lunch or simply sit and admire the view of the beautiful Otonabee River. 

During the summer operating season, we also have three, larger, picnic shelters that may be booked as full day rentals. The perfect space for holding your family reunion or celebrating a special occasion with us here at the zoo! 

Access gates to Shelters 1 and 2 are unlocked shortly after 8:30 a.m. when the park opens and locked again at dusk when the park closes. For the safety of our frisbee disc golf patrons, there is no vehicle access to Shelter 3 unless requested at the time of booking, and for the purpose of loading/unloading only. See the Park and Zoo Map for details.

Note there is no access to electricity or running water at any of the picnic shelters. Only gas/propane BBQs are permitted.

• Shelter 1 is down the driveway beside the playground, and on your right across from McBride Island. A washroom is located between Shelters 1 & 2 for summer use, with an additional portable washroom nearby.
• Shelter 2 is down the driveway beside the playground, and on your left. It is fully accessible with both wheelchair access picnic tables and ramps. A washroom is found between Shelters 1 & 2 for summer use, with an additional accessible portable washroom close by.
• Shelter 3 is found at the north end of the Park and Zoo property, near the disc golf course and beside the river, with a portable washroom on hand. Guests using this shelter are asked to use the parking lot located at the intersection of Water Street and University Heights Boulevard. The shelter is a short walking distance away on a packed gravel pathway and does not provide vehicle access, unless requested at the time of booking for unloading/loading purposes only.

Shelter booking rates

Effective 2025, these shelters will be available to all visitors for a minimal fee, with a non-refundable 25% advance deposit necessary to hold your reservation. Booking request forms will be available on January 15 on a first serve basis.

Rental conditions

• NEW - PROOF OF INSURANCE: As we transition to the City of Peterborough in 2025, every group and individual booking a room or shelter at Riverview Park and Zoo will be required to provide proof of insurance. If you don't already have coverage, opt-in instant risk coverage options will be easily available to purchase online through the City site for a small fee. Watch for more details to become available in the spring.
• Booking requests are to be submitted a minimum of two weeks in advance of your event date.

• All garbage and recycling must be disposed of in the appropriate containers. Any garbage that does not fit within the provided containers, must be removed off-site by the patrons renting the shelter. A $250 cleaning fee will apply if additional clean-up or excess garbage/recycling removal is necessary by RPZ staff.

• Bouncy castles, balloons, straws and streamers are not permitted at any of the picnic shelters.

• Visitors/Groups are limited to only one booking per year.

RULES FOR SHELTER EVENT BOOKINGS     2025 SHELTER BOOKING REQUEST FORM      

Wedding bookings

With special permission only, McBride Island is available for small weddings. Bookings would include access to both McBride Island and Picnic Shelter 1.

Guests would be responsible for their own event, in accordance with the above rules for picnic shelter event bookings. These responsibilities also include the set up and clean up after the event. All guests must leave the property before dusk. 

As a reminder, we do not allow balloons or other plastic decorations on site as they can harm the animals and environment.

Please reach out to ask about wedding bookings.

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