Free Speech Events

North School Park and Memorial Park are designated as Public Forums available for public assemblies or meetings.

• North School Park can accommodate up to 5,000 attendees. Use of park electricity and outdoor access rest rooms is available for an hourly fee.
• Memorial Park can accommodate up to 500 attendees. Memorial Park does not have access to electricity or rest rooms.

In order to ensure the fair use of the area by the public, the Park District has the following guidelines:

1. Activities must be conducted in accordance with Arlington Heights Park District Ordinance 260 and city, state, and federal law and in a fashion that will not violate the rights and privileges of other park users, obstruct any public sidewalk, path, or ingress or egress to a place or building on Park District property.
2. Applicant must be 18 years of age or older, is financially responsible for the rental, must be on site for the entire permitted time, and must provide adult (over 18 years of age) supervision for any minors at the event.
3. Public Forum requests may not supersede existing activities, programs, or rentals at a park(s) or facility(s).
4. A completed and signed Public Forum Rental Application must be submitted to the District at least two weeks (14 days) prior to the requested use date. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the District’s Executive Director or Deputy Director. Requests may be submitted via email, standard mail, or in person at the Administration Center, 410 N. Arlington Heights Road, during registration hours. Applicants will be notified of the application status within three business days of receipt of the completed application.
5. Approved use of a Public Forum must be conducted within the approved permit time.
6. All written material or handouts to the public shall be distributed within the confines of the permitted area.
7. Public Forum Users shall not permanently alter or damage District property and shall restore the facility(s) to its original state at the end of the permitted time.
8. Use of amplification devices must be in accordance with Arlington Heights Park District and Village of Arlington Heights regulations.
9. Unless otherwise approved, the use of a Public Forum shall be no longer than 5 hours in length and must be within designated park hours.
10. The sponsoring individual/organization agrees to hold the Arlington Heights Park District harmless against any and all suits of any manner, which may arise as a result of the activities by the sponsoring agent.

How to Organize a Free Speech Event

Organizers of Free Speech Activities on District property must obtain a Public Forum permit through the Arlington Heights Park District. Public Forum Rental Applications must be submitted at least two weeks (14 days) prior to the requested date of the event. Public Forum Permits that do not require additional amenities are issued free of charge.

Complete, sign, and submit a Public Forum Rental Application via email, standard mail, or in person (during Administration Center business hours) to:

Cari Boyle, Events, Rentals, and Parties Supervisor
AHPD Administration Center
410 N. Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
cboyle@ahpd.org

Once we’ve received your completed and signed application, Park District staff will reply within three business days with a status update and to request additional information, if needed.

Before issuing a Public Forum Permit, the District requires complete and accurate paperwork, payment of any assessed fees, and the approval of the Executive Director or Deputy Director. Until the Applicant has received a finalized permit from the District, the application is considered pending and the Applicant may not promote activities at facility(s) related to the permit.

If an event includes a procession to an off-site location, contact the Village of Arlington Heights Police Department at 847.368.5300 regarding services, safety, and traffic control.

Freedom of Expression and Prohibited Conduct

Participants may engage in expressive activity consistent with the First Amendment, including speech that may be controversial or offensive.

The permit does not authorize unprotected speech or conduct, including true threats, incitement to imminent lawless action, harassment that violates applicable law, or fighting words likely to provoke an immediate breach of the peace.

The Arlington Heights Park District reserves the right to enforce these restrictions in a content-neutral manner, including removal from the event or revocation of a permit.