City of Portola official seal: Pride of the West, Portola California
City of Portola
“Mindful Pause”
Yoga & Meditation Garden

You don't need a reservation to use this space

The garden is open to everyone, every day from sunrise to sunset, at no cost. Come practice, sit, stretch, or breathe whenever you like. The form on this page is only for organized events that want their time listed on the public calendar.

Charging for your event? Get your business license first.

If you charge admission, tuition, or a suggested donation, the City requires an active, approved City of Portola business license before you apply. A pending application isn't enough. You won't be able to submit this form without an approved license number in hand. There is no rental fee for the space itself.

Apply for a Portola business license · questions: 530-832-4216

What's happening here

Event calendar

Times the City has approved for organized classes and gatherings, plus times being held while an application is under review. Select a day to see the full schedule.

 
Free to attend Paid or registration required Held, pending City review

An approved event does not close the garden

City policy is explicit on this point: an approved reservation does not grant exclusive use of the facility or a guaranteed spot. The garden stays open to the public during every event listed here. Please be considerate of groups in session, and they will do the same for you.

Coming up

One form, no paperwork

Request the space for an event

This form is the City of Portola Facility Use Permit Application for the Mindful Pause garden. Submitting it once is the whole process. There is no separate paper form to print, sign, or drop off at City Hall. Staff review each request and email you a decision.

1. Who is organizing this

The person signing this application must be at least 18 years old.

Enter your name.
Leave blank if you're organizing as an individual.
Enter a phone number we can reach you at.
Your confirmation and decision come here.
Enter a valid email address.
A PO Box is fine.
Enter your mailing address.
2. About the event
This is what the public sees on the calendar.
Give your event a name.
Choose an activity type.
One short line is plenty. Example: All levels welcome, bring a mat.
Add a short description.
Capacity here is 20 people, including you.
Enter a number from 1 to 20.
Optional. Shown on the calendar so people can register.
3. Are you charging to attend?

There is no rental fee for this space. If you charge admission, tuition, or a suggested donation, you must already hold an active, City-approved Portola business license, and you'll need to provide proof of insurance before your event.

Are you charging to attend?
Choose one.
Choose one.
You'll need an approved license before applying. The City can't accept a paid-event application without an active, approved business license number. Apply first, then come back and submit this form. Most applications are processed quickly.

Apply for a Portola business license →

If your event is free to attend, choose "Free to attend" above and you can continue.

4. When

Events may be scheduled between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, for up to 2 hours including your setup and cleanup. Requests need at least 7 days' notice and can be made up to 6 months ahead.

Choose a date at least 7 days from today.
Start time must be between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
End must be after the start, by 7:00 PM, and no more than 2 hours total.
Up to 8 weeks per request. Submit again to continue a series.
5. Conditions at this site

This garden has tighter rules than the City's other facilities. Answering yes to any of these means the event can't be approved here as described.

Choose one.
Amplified sound isn't permitted here.Signage at the garden requires a quiet atmosphere: no amplified sound, speakers, or music. Voice-led instruction is welcome. If your event needs amplification, call 530-832-4216 and staff can point you to a better-suited City facility.
Choose one.
Food service isn't permitted here.Personal water and a snack are fine. Serving or selling food to a group is not allowed at this site. Call 530-832-4216 about other City facilities.
Choose one.
Alcohol is prohibited in this area.No alcohol, tobacco, smoking, or vaping is allowed anywhere in the Mindful Pause garden.
Accessibility needs, equipment you're bringing, questions about the site.
6. Sign and submit
All four boxes must be checked to submit.
Typing your name here has the same legal effect as signing on paper. It must match the name you entered in section 1.
Type your name exactly as entered in section 1.

Information you submit is a public record and may be disclosed under the California Public Records Act. Your phone number, email, and address are not published on the calendar.

Before you come

Rules & policy

Area rules

  • Open daily from sunrise to sunset
  • Maintain a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. No amplified sound, speakers, or music.
  • No alcohol, tobacco, smoking, or vaping within this area
  • Granite boulders are for seating only. Please do not climb or stand upon them.
  • Leave the surface clean. Remove all personal belongings after use.

What the City requires of event hosts

A permit for any organized activity

Under the Facility Use Policy, any group reserving a City facility for an organized activity needs a Facility Use Permit. The form on this page is that permit application. A reservation isn't in effect until the City approves it in writing, which arrives as your approval email.

A business license if you charge

There's no rental fee for this space. If you charge admission, tuition, or a suggested donation, you need an active City of Portola business license. Apply here if you don't have one.

Insurance for paid events

Paid events require $1,000,000 combined single limit general liability insurance naming the City of Portola as additional insured, on file before your event date. Email your certificate to admin@cityofportola.com. The policy must be endorsed to give the City 30 days' notice of cancellation or change.

Cleanup, conduct, and cancellation

You're responsible for all cleanup, including adjacent grounds. Pack out your trash and leave the surface as you found it. The City may refuse future reservations to anyone whose past use showed negligence or non-compliance, and may add requirements to protect public health and safety.

Assumption of risk

Use of this outdoor recreation Facility is entirely voluntary and solely at the risk of the user. Yoga, stretching, meditation, and related physical activities involve inherent risks of physical injury, including but not limited to those caused by uneven surfaces, transitions where improved surfaces meet natural ground, debris, and wet, slick, or slippery conditions. Pursuant to California Government Code § 831.7, a public entity is not liable for injury to a person engaged in a hazardous recreational activity on public property.

Common questions

Questions

Do I need to reserve to practice by myself?

No. Come whenever the garden is open. Reservations exist so organized groups can appear on this calendar and so staff know what's happening on City property.

How long does approval take?

Requests need at least 7 days' notice. Staff review in the order received and email you a decision. If your date is tight, call 530-832-4216.

Is my time slot held while I wait?

Yes. The moment you submit, your time shows on the calendar as held pending review, so no one else can request it. If the City denies your request, the time reopens automatically. Reservations are first-come, first-served.

Can I run a class for eight weeks straight?

Yes. Check the weekly box in section 4 and enter up to 8 weeks. Submit again to continue the series.

Is the space accessible?

The half-circle of concrete is an ADA accessible surface built for all ages and abilities. Tell us in the form if you need anything specific for your group.

What if the weather turns?

The garden is fully outdoors with no cover. There's no rain date built into an approval. If you cancel, email admin@cityofportola.com so staff can clear the calendar.

Day

7 AM  →  7 PM