This will burst your bubble.
Bubbles, balloons, tables and chairs and even tug-of-war are off limits for celebrations held in Central Park, and the no-fun edict is baffling parents — who are speaking out about the mysterious rules that must be followed for gatherings of more than 20.
“We received a permit for our son’s 4th birthday party in Central Park but didn’t realize how many restrictions there were,” one desperate mom lamented in a Facebook group on May 7.
Set-up including tables and chairs, balloons, bubbles and “active sports” including kickball, spikeball and tug-of-war are among the restrictions, she said.
She sought suggestions for alternative activities and creative ways to serve cake without a table.
Use a cooler as a table, one parent recommended.
“Upside down milk crates and a picnic blanket,” offered another.
“Why no bubbles? It’s soap and water?” one stunned commenter said.
“Those are ridiculous,” another person said of the rules.
“Change locations.”
Others suggested it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
“I wouldn’t stress, we have been having park birthdays for years with tables and balloons and bubbles and nothing has ever been said,” an Upper East Side mom chimed in.
“The Parks Department said balloons are not allowed but I’ve seen plenty of parties with balloons over the years,” another parent holding a party this month posted in a Facebook group.
“What’s the deal with that?”
Many were shocked by the rules, which they said were contrary to what they’ve seen in the past — yet the Parks Department insisted they aren’t new.
Reps for the agency confirmed a long-standing rule against balloons, which it said are “very destructive” and pose a litter problem.
They provided no specifics on the bubbles and games ban.
Permits are necessary for gatherings of 20 or more people, cost a non-refundable $25, and are issued on a case-by-case basis, the agency said.
In Manhattan, tables and chairs require prior approval and, if approved, are limited to a maximum of two, according to the Parks website, and tents are generally not allowed except under “very limited circumstances.” Signs and banners also can’t be hung up on trees or fences.
Parks officers were unaware of the rules and said they weren’t told to enforce them.
Sources thought they could be coming from the Central Park Conservancy, which handles maintenance and restoration of the grounds, but the group said Parks sets and enforces all of the rules.
Additional reporting by Rich Calder and Helayne Seidman
