Rules & Regulations

Larz Anderson Park follows the Town of Brookline's park rules: open dawn to dusk; no alcohol, smoking, fireworks or drones; dogs on a leash no longer than 7 feet except in the Green Dog area; no swimming, wading or boating; fires only in Town grills; and a permit for any gathering of 15 or more. The Town's Larz Anderson brochure adds park-specific bans on portable grills, hibachis, inflatables, farm animals and fishing in the lagoon. Brookline Police enforce the rules, and a Park Ranger patrols to check permits.

Hours and Access

People may enter and use Brookline parks from dawn to dusk unless a permit says otherwise, and no one may enter or stay in a closed park without the Parks and Open Space Director's permission. Enter and leave only through designated entrances and exits.

Banned Everywhere in the Park

• Alcohol and drugs, including being under their influence.
• Smoking, as defined by the Town's by-laws.
• Fireworks, explosives, weapons, air guns, or throwing stones.
• Music or amplified sound loud enough to annoy others (amplified sound needs a permit).
• Damaging or removing trees, plants, turf, rocks, benches, signs or structures; picking flowers.
• Disturbing, trapping or taking animals, nests or eggs.
• Sitting, standing or climbing on things not meant for it.
• Littering — trash and recycling go in the receptacles.
• Swimming, wading or boating in any body of water.
• Fires anywhere except designated grills; no campfires.
• Gambling, archery or golf outside Town programs; sports outside designated areas.

Larz Anderson's Own List

The Town's Larz Anderson brochure says these are not permitted and are strictly enforced: farm animals, alcoholic beverages, fireworks or rockets, portable grills, hibachis, inflatables, motor vehicles, fishing in the lagoon, and amplification equipment. It allows pop-up tents, sun shelters and volleyball or badminton nets as long as they don't interfere with other visitors and can be moved at the Park Ranger's request. Picnic-site rules and fees: picnics and permits.

Dogs

Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 7 feet, and owners must pick up after them. The exception is the Green Dog off-leash area on the top of the hill, Avon Street side, for registered dogs at set hours. Dogs are never allowed in the children's play area, the pond, the garden area or the BBQ sites and shelter. Full details: dogs at Larz Anderson.

What Needs a Permit

• Parties, picnics, gatherings, weddings or performances with 15 or more people.
• Reserving a BBQ site, the shelter or a wedding ceremony site (picnics, weddings).
• Organized sports by leagues, teams or schools; casual pick-up games don't need one.
• Amplified sound; selling food, drinks or merchandise; filming and photo shoots.
• Using a fire in a designated grill area; pitching a tent or erecting a structure; posting signs; art installations; riding animals.

Keep the permit with you; Brookline Police or Parks and Recreation staff may ask to see it. Permitted and Town uses take priority over everything else.

Cars, Bikes and Machines

• Drive only on the park road; park only in designated areas during park hours (parking).
• Speed limit 15 mph.
• No parking on grass, against posted signs, during a snowstorm, or where it blocks snow removal.
• No washing, polishing or repairing vehicles in the park.
• No motorized devices, carts, snowmobiles or aerial devices; the auto museum also says no drones anywhere in the park.
• Vehicles in violation may be towed at the owner's expense.

Rules at Museum Events

On lawn-event days the Larz Anderson Auto Museum adds its own rules: no alcohol, no smoking or vaping on museum grounds, leashed dogs only (service dogs only inside the museum), no trailer parking in the park, and no revving, burnouts or speeding. See lawn events.

Enforcement and Fines

The Brookline Police Department enforces the park rules, and everyone in a park must follow reasonable directions from Town staff. Violations are punishable under state law with a fine of up to $20 where no other penalty is set, and other fines may apply; Green Dog violations carry their own escalating fines. The Town's full text is on its Park Rules and Regulations page.