Recreation Companies
Announcements
Recreation Equipment at Rhode Island State Parks
Recreation Companies must become an approved vendor to provide services such as, but not limited to, bounce houses and obstacle courses at private events within RI State Parks. Pony rides, petting zoos, and animal exhibitions are not permitted at RI State Parks unless associated with a special event permitted by DEM.
Approved recreation companies will remain on the RI State Parks list of approved vendors from the date their company was approved to the last day of the year (12/31/2025), as long as the Certificate of Insurance (COI) that we have on file for your business remains up to date.
Submission of an application does not guarantee that a recreation company will be approved. Approval of events, services and vendors is at the discretion of a RI State Parks.
To become an approved vendor, you must submit an online application, and email a COI that meets the requirements set by the RI DEM Division of Legal Services to erin.rogers@dem.ri.gov for approval.
Recreation companies are not permitted to provide their equipment or services to the general public and must be paid directly by the host of the event.
Recreation companies serving private events may not set-up in rental sites or fields that have not been approved by Park Management.
Recreation companies are responsible for the setup, breakdown and complete removal of all equipment or items provided by your company, immediately after the event!
RI State Parks has a carry in-carry out policy, which means there are no trash cans for general use.
Recreation companies should contact the Park Manager beforehand, to ensure the location their customers have reserved is suitable for the type of equipment you are planning to provide.
Park patrons who would like to request the services or equipment provided by a recreation company must select a business from the RI State Parks list of approved vendors.
Note for recreation companies that provide bounce houses: Only standard bounce house/inflatables and recreational equipment are permitted. Water-based inflatables, dunk tanks and ziplines are prohibited. Any items that fall outside of standard recreational equipment must be approved in advance by the Division of Parks and Recreation. Remember to confirm with the park that your customer has secured permission from Park Management for the specific equipment or service you are providing.
Recreation equipment and services provided by recreation companies, are only allowed in the RI State Parks below.
- Colt State Park, Bristol (Approved Bounce House sites)
- Fort Adams State Park, Newport
- Goddard Memorial State Park, Warwick
- Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln
For a list of approved Recreation Equipment Vendors, go to the RI Parks Events & Rentals-Special Use Policy & Permits Page
How To Apply To Become An Approved Recreation Company
As long as the Certificate of Insurance (COI) that we have on file for your business remains up to date, you will remain on the list of approved vendors until the last day of the year (12/31).
1. Create your Community Profile with login and password. Once you are logged in, you can proceed. Every time you use the site, start by logging in.
3. Email a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that meets the requirements set by the RI DEM Legal Division to erin.rogers@dem.ri.gov for approval. See COI requirements below. **DO NOT UPLOAD YOUR COI TO THE VENDOR PROFILE FORM**
4. Once your insurance is approved your business will be added to the RI State Parks approved vendor list.
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Requirements:
- Your COI must indicate the State of Rhode Island and the Department of Environmental Management as additionally insured on a primary and non-contributory basis.
- Your COI must indicate a waiver of subrogation.
- The Certificate Holder on your insurance must be the "State of Rhode Island, Department of Environmental Management, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908".
