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Exploring Visalia

Frequently Asked Questions

Are horses allowed in City parks?
Can I fish at the pond in Plaza Park?
Can I have a bounce house or water slide in the park?
Can I have music or a DJ in a City park?
Can I pay a city bill online?
Can I set up my own canopy, tables and chairs in a City park?
Can I take my dog into the park (on or off leash)?
Do I need to reserve a picnic table or arbor for my party event?
How do I apply to remove or trim a Valley Oak tree?
How do I register for a class online?
How do I report graffiti in a City park?
How do I report illegal activities (alcohol, drugs, gangs) in the park?
How do I reserve a park area?
How do report issues (trash, broken equipment, overgrown landscaping, irrigation problems) in a park?
How much does it cost to reserve a picnic area?
Is alcohol allowed in City parks?
Is the City of Visalia responsible for pruning Valley Oak trees on private property?
What are the rules for riding bicycles in the park?
What is the Recreation Enrollment Policy?
What sports, programs and special events are offered through the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department?
What time do the tennis court lights at Plaza Park go on and off?
What trees are protected in the City?
When is the Splash Pad open?
Where can I swim?

Are horses allowed in City parks?

No, horses are not allowed in City parks.

Can I fish at the pond in Plaza Park?

Minors age 15 years and younger are welcome to fish at the Plaza Park Pond. Visalia Parks and Recreation offers two youth fishing derby events each year in January and June.

Contat the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department at (559) 713-4365 or email [email protected] for more information.

Can I have a bounce house or water slide in the park?

Bounce houses are allowed in some parks and are site specific. There is a $10 bounce house permit fee. Bounce house organizations must be approved through the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department.

Water slides are not allowed in any park at this time due to drought conditions.

Click here for information on reserving a park or call the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department at (559) 713-4365 for more information.

Can I have music or a DJ in a City park?

Per City ordinance, it is unlawful to emit music or noise which exceeds 60 decibles at fifty (50) feet and interferes with other uses in any public park or recreation area.

Small radios that do not exceed 60 decibles at fifty (50) feet are allowed.

Can I pay a city bill online?

The Parks & Recreation Department accepts online registration and payments for classes and programs.

City of Visalia utility payments can be made online at https://visalia.gwfathom.com

Can I set up my own canopy, tables and chairs in a City park?

Yes. However, you may not drive any vehicles onto the grass. Always be considerate of other park users; be sure not to interfere with other park users' areas.

Can I take my dog into the park (on or off leash)?

Per City ordinance, dogs are to be restrained at all times. There are two designated "off-leash" dog areas located in the City of Visalia.

The Cody Kelley Bark Park at Plaza Park located at 1800 S. Plaza Drive, and Seven Oaks Park Dog Park located at 900 S. Edison Street.

Outside of these two dog parks, dogs are required to be restrained by a leash at all times.

Do I need to reserve a picnic table or arbor for my party event?

All areas are subject to reservation. To ensure your use of an area, a reservation is highly recommended.

Areas that are not reserved may be used on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, a reservation must be obtained for parties and events that will be having alcohol or amusement equipment such as a bounce house. These require additional fees. Click here to make a reservation.

How do I apply to remove or trim a Valley Oak tree?

Contact the City of Visalia Urban Forestry Division at (559) 713-4020.

Urban Forestry Web Page

How do I register for a class online?

The Parks & Recreation Department accepts online registration and payments for classes and programs.

Click here for information on the latest seasonal programs and classes.

How do I report graffiti in a City park?

File an online report here, or call the Graffiti Hotline at (559) 713-4451.

How do I report illegal activities (alcohol, drugs, gangs) in the park?

If there is an emergency situation occurring, dial 911. For non-emergency issues, please contact the Visalia Police Department at (559) 734-8116.

How do I reserve a park area?

Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Although all of our parks and trails are open to the community, not all of our parks and trails have areas that are reservable. For the areas that can be reserved, individuals or groups may fill out a reservation application for a specific park, arbor or the St. John's trail.

Reservations for park arbors will be accepted until 5 p.m. on the third business day prior to the scheduled event. Reservations can be made online here or in person at our business office located inside the Anthony Community Center (located at 345 N. Jacob Street, Visalia, CA) between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Looking to reserve Cutler Park or Mooney Grove Park?

Both of these parks are owned and operated by the County of Tulare. Contact the County of Tulare Parks and Recreation at (559) 205-1100 or click here to visit their website.

How do report issues (trash, broken equipment, overgrown landscaping, irrigation problems) in a park?

For concerns regarding Park Maintenance contact the Visalia Parks Department at (559) 713-4384 or email [email protected].

How much does it cost to reserve a picnic area?

Reservations are charged on a daily, not hourly, basis. Click here for pricing and availability.

Is alcohol allowed in City parks?

A permit to consume alcohol may be obtained with a paid picnic area reservation at designated park locations only for an additional $25 alcohol permit fee. Permit holder must be 21 years of age or older and present a valid ID. Those consuming alcohol must be 21 years of age or older. Click here for reservation information.

Is the City of Visalia responsible for pruning Valley Oak trees on private property?

The property owner is responsible for the care and maintenance of Valley Oak trees on their property. Valley Oak trees in City owned or maintained property are maintained by the City.

Urban Forestry Web Page

What are the rules for riding bicycles in the park?

Bicycles are permitted in parks on roads and designated bike paths, not on sidewalks.

What is the Recreation Enrollment Policy?

Please click the link below to view our COV enrollment policy.

For additional questions contact us:
Phone: (559) 713-4365
Email: [email protected]

Click to view the COV Recreation Enrollment Policy

What sports, programs and special events are offered through the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department?

The Visalia Parks and Recreation Department publishes a seasonal guide (Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter) four times a year. This activity guide provides information on sports, programs and special events for Tiny Tots through seniors and every age group in between.

Parks & Recreation Web site

What time do the tennis court lights at Plaza Park go on and off?

Lights operate 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

What trees are protected in the City?

Only Valley Oak trees (Quercus lobata) with a trunk diameter of two (2) inches or greater are protected. A permit is required to trim or remove a Valley Oak on private property. Call the Urban Forestry Division at (559) 713-4020 for information or to apply for a permit.

Urban Forestry Web Page

When is the Splash Pad open?

The Splash Pad typically opens Memorial weekened through Labor Day weekend or when temperatures reach a week of consective 85+ degrees.

Splash Pad hours (unless otherwise noted at the site) will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

To help keep the Splash Pad operational, please remember these rules:

The feature is a play/cool down area only.

Do not use the Splash Pad to bathe or wash off little ones as this allows debris to enter the spouts.

Keep food, wrappers and small toys away from the Splash Pad.

When in the area, please clean-up all trash (food wrappers, wipes, etc.) that could clog the spouts.

Where can I swim?

The Parks and Recreation Department offers public swim June through August each year at Redwood High School. Call (559) 713-4365 for hours of operation and admission cost.

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