Visit Lyon Park: Events, Rental Prices, Hours & Directions
Lyon Park Community Center is a historic community house and private-event venue at 414 North Fillmore Street, Arlington, VA 22201. It sits in a three-acre neighborhood park near Clarendon and Courthouse, with a reception hall, catering kitchen, sunroom, children’s play area and outdoor grounds.
The building dates to 1925 and underwent a major renovation in 2015. Unlike a municipal drop-in recreation center, Lyon Park Community Center is privately owned by neighborhood residents. Visitors typically come for reserved celebrations, meetings, community activities and scheduled events.
Arlington, VA 22201
Combined indoor and outdoor occupancy limit
Voicemail; email is faster
Published rental periods, not public opening hours
Research updated October 26, 2026. Prices and rules below are based on the operator’s July 8, 2026 rental rate sheet and published venue policies.
Lyon Park Community Center Hours
The community center does not publish a regular seven-day public walk-in schedule equivalent to a staffed municipal recreation facility. Its booking hours describe when the building may be rented, not when anyone may enter without an event invitation.
| Day | Published Rental Period |
|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday | 8:00 AM–10:00 PM; four-hour minimum booking |
| Friday | Half-day or full-day rental periods |
| Saturday | Half-day, full-day or eligible birthday-party slot |
| Sunday | Half-day, full-day or eligible birthday-party slot |
| Holidays | Published special rental blocks, subject to availability |
Weekend and holiday blocks: morning half-day 8:00 AM–2:30 PM; afternoon/evening half-day 3:30–10:00 PM; full day 8:00 AM–10:00 PM.
For neighborhood activities, the Lyon Park Citizens Association website publishes community announcements and occasional events. It is separate from the building rental calendar.
Lyon Park Community Center Rental Rates — 2026
The operator’s rental schedule dated July 8, 2026 distinguishes standard nonresident pricing from reduced rates for eligible Lyon Park and Ashton Heights residents or homeowners.
| Rental Type | Nonresident | LP / AH Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday, minimum 4 hours | $125/hour | $50/hour for fewer than 75 people; $75/hour for 75 or more |
| Friday–Sunday or holiday half-day | $1,050 | $400 |
| Friday–Sunday or holiday full-day | $1,900 | $750 |
| Eligible children’s birthday special | $500 | $200 |
Reduced rates require proof of Lyon Park or Ashton Heights residency or homeownership. A qualifying resident cannot use discounted pricing to sponsor an event for a nonresident organization.
Required Cleaning Fees and Actual Event Cost
Lyon Park requires its in-house professional cleaning service after a rental. The published charges vary with the day, attendance and kitchen-use arrangement.
| Required Cleaning Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday, up to 20 guests | $145 |
| Monday–Thursday, over 20 guests | $165 |
| Friday–Sunday, up to 20 guests | $150 |
| Saturday/Sunday children’s birthday special | $200 |
| Friday–Sunday/holiday, over 20 guests | $275 |
| Friday–Sunday/holiday, over 20 guests, no kitchen use except small refrigerator | $200 |
Example Total Costs
Four hours at $125/hour = $500. Add $145 required cleaning for up to 20 guests.
Starting total: $645 plus refundable security deposit and any extras.
Eligible resident half-day rental $400. Add $275 cleaning for an event with over 20 guests using the kitchen.
Starting total: $675 plus refundable deposit and extras.
The refundable security deposit amount is not specified in the July 2026 rate sheet. Ask the rental agent for the deposit and payment schedule before making financial commitments.
Optional Services
| Inside trash removal | $125 |
|---|---|
| Outside trash removal | $75 |
| Indoor party setup | $5 per table with 6 chairs |
| Indoor party breakdown | $5 per table with 6 chairs |
| Theatre-style chair setup/removal | $0.75 per chair |
These add-ons do not replace the requirement to follow your rental contract and the responsibilities checklist. Ask which tasks remain your responsibility.
If comparing municipal facilities with a private venue, the Reston Community Center visitor and facility rental guide explains a different community-operated recreation and event-space model in Northern Virginia.
Children’s Birthday Party Special
Lyon Park offers a lower-priced birthday rental for smaller celebrations that meet all of these conditions:
- The birthday child is age 10 or younger.
- No more than 40 people attend, including adults and children.
- The event lasts four consecutive hours.
- The event finishes by 2:00 PM.
- The large kitchen cannot be used.
- The booking can be made no earlier than two months in advance.
- The renter must complete required cleanup tasks.
Published rental price: $500 for a nonresident or $200 for an eligible neighborhood resident, plus the mandatory $200 birthday-slot cleaning charge and refundable deposit.
For a children’s party, bring the estimated total attendance, child’s age, desired morning time and any equipment or vendor requests when submitting the reservation form.
Rooms, Kitchen, Tables and Park Facilities
The building has more than 4,000 square feet overall, including a main gathering area with hardwood flooring and an enclosed sunroom. The venue supports receptions, ceremonies, dinners, meetings and performances.
A large caterer’s kitchen supports event food preparation, while a smaller galley kitchen can be used for beverages and light catering. Confirm whether your rental type permits the large kitchen.
The July 2026 rate sheet lists 148 indoor folding chairs, 20 six-foot rectangular indoor tables, three smaller rectangular tables and six square card tables. Outdoor-use inventory includes 90 chairs and 20 rectangular tables.
The three-acre property has shade trees and children’s play space. Outdoor tents, inflatables and activities need contract approval; renting outdoor grounds separately from the building is not offered.
The facility identifies itself as wheelchair accessible with ADA-compliant restrooms. Discuss accessible entry, seating, parking and any guest-specific requirements before booking.
The venue lists a pull-down projection screen but does not promise built-in audiovisual equipment. Arrange projectors, speakers, microphones and support according to the rental agreement.
For an alternative example of how a community center combines meeting space and arts activities, see our Greenbelt Community Center guide for Maryland. Rental rules differ between facilities, so use Lyon Park’s own agreement for your event.
Programs and Community Events
Lyon Park is best understood as a community gathering place rather than a staffed recreation facility offering a fixed daily gym or swimming timetable.
Published examples of activity at the community center and grounds include:
- Lyon Park Citizens Association community gatherings and neighborhood events
- Lyon Park Woman’s Club activities
- Seasonal events and neighborhood celebrations
- Private birthday and anniversary celebrations
- Weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners
- Meetings, workshops, business retreats and conferences
- Recitals, concerts and approved classes
- Memorial gatherings and celebrations of life
These are event types or examples, not a promise that a particular class is currently open for enrollment. For specific dates, entry requirements and ticket arrangements, use the neighborhood’s current announcements.
Important Event and Park Rules
Before paying, review the operator’s rules carefully. Lyon Park sits among residential homes, so noise, outdoor use and cleanup restrictions are particularly important.
| Topic | Published Requirement |
|---|---|
| Guest capacity | Maximum 150 people in total, counting indoor and outdoor guests. |
| Evening events | Events must finish by 10 PM, with music stopped and guests leaving. Cleanup may continue as allowed in the contract. |
| Outdoor use | No patio or park use beginning at sunset. |
| Outdoor music | No amplified or unamplified music outside the building. |
| Indoor music | Keep doors and windows closed and maintain a volume that does not disturb neighbors. |
| Alcohol | May be permitted indoors under applicable Virginia law; no outdoor serving or conspicuous consumption. |
| Event representative | The renter or authorized representative must remain present and reachable throughout the event. |
| Extra time | Unauthorized use outside contract hours can result in additional hourly rental charges. |
| Furniture | Furniture designated for indoor use must remain inside. |
The renter checklist also requires handling decorations, leftover food, trash, recycling, equipment, utilities and locking up as directed, except for tasks specifically purchased as add-on services.
Tents, Inflatables and Outdoor Vendor Fees
Outdoor extras require written permission in the rental contract. Setup and removal must occur within the approved rental period.
| Outdoor Addition | Grounds Preservation Fee |
|---|---|
| Inflatable | $30 per item |
| Pole tent | $50 per tent |
| Pony rides or petting zoo | $100 |
Floored tents and water features are not allowed. Additional insurance or vendor requirements may apply, particularly when contractors provide tents, inflatables or animal activities.
Ask the rental agent to confirm your exact vendor, equipment dimensions, placement and insurance requirements before paying an outside supplier.
How to Reserve Lyon Park Community Center
Identify whether you need a wedding reception, meeting, party or other gathering. Include adults, children, staff and vendors when estimating attendance.
Choose a weekday hourly slot, half-day, full-day or qualifying children’s birthday special. Determine whether you qualify for neighborhood-resident pricing.
Open the Lyon Park rental calendar and look for your date. Prepare an alternate date in case the desired slot cannot be approved.
Add the rental price, mandatory cleaning fee and any optional service or outdoor preservation charges. Request the current refundable security deposit amount.
Open the official reservation form. Enter your full name, telephone, email, complete address, residency status, event type, preferred date, rental period, guest count and relevant special requests.
Indicate whether alcohol will be served, outdoor tents or inflatables are planned, and whether other vendors or unusual setups are involved. Provide any required supporting information.
The form has multiple stages. Complete all sections and press Submit. An inquiry does not automatically guarantee a reservation.
Check the approved time, rental fee, required cleaning, security deposit, permitted activities and cancellation rules. Follow the operator’s payment instructions only after receiving official confirmation.
Address, Map, Parking and Public Transportation
Full address: Lyon Park Community Center, 414 North Fillmore Street, Arlington, Virginia 22201.
Clarendon and Courthouse Metro stations are each approximately a 20-minute walk according to the operator. Actual walking time depends on route and mobility.
The operator identifies a Metrobus stop at the park. Check the current WMATA route, direction and live arrival information before traveling.
The venue advertises free on-street parking nearby. It does not guarantee an exclusive parking space for every guest, so allow extra time for busy events.
Ask the rental agent about the most appropriate accessible entrance, drop-off location and seating arrangement for guests who require accommodations.
What to Check Before Your Event
For weddings, reunions and larger events, the venue’s 150-person combined occupancy limit is important. The available tables and chairs also affect how much seated space remains for catering, dancing or presentations.
- Get the approved guest capacity in writing.
- Confirm whether your event requires the large kitchen.
- Plan food service and catering delivery during the contracted time.
- Ask about accessible facilities for the full guest list.
- Confirm AV equipment and electrical requirements.
- Prepare vendor insurance information where applicable.
- Schedule all setup, vendor arrival, decoration and equipment removal within permitted hours.
- Plan to finish music and guest activities by the published evening cutoff.
- Review the cleaning checklist and determine which optional tasks are worth purchasing.
- Check the deposit-refund and cancellation provisions before signing.
For general guidance on comparing community facilities, our community recreation center planning guide explains how rental hours, activity access and membership fees can differ between public and private venues.
Organizing a celebration in a different region? The Seven Trees Community Center rental guide illustrates municipal event permit and cancellation requirements, which should not be confused with Lyon Park’s privately managed booking rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Lyon Park Community Center located?
Lyon Park Community Center is located at 414 North Fillmore Street, Arlington, Virginia 22201, in the Lyon Park neighborhood near Clarendon and Courthouse.
2. What are Lyon Park Community Center’s opening hours?
The operator publishes rental periods rather than a guaranteed public drop-in schedule. Monday through Thursday rentals may run between 8 AM and 10 PM with a four-hour minimum. Friday, weekend and holiday bookings use half-day or full-day periods. Check the official calendar for an approved event.
3. How much does it cost to rent Lyon Park Community Center?
The July 2026 rate sheet lists nonresident weekday rentals at $125 per hour with a four-hour minimum, weekend and holiday half-days at $1,050, and full days at $1,900. Eligible Lyon Park and Ashton Heights residents receive reduced rates. Required cleaning, a refundable deposit and extras are additional.
4. Is Lyon Park Community Center owned by Arlington County?
No. The building and park are privately owned by Lyon Park neighborhood residents. They are not Arlington County recreation facilities. The community center manages its own rental process.
5. What is the maximum guest capacity?
The operator’s published usage rules allow a maximum of 150 guests in total, counting people inside and outside the building.
6. Can I have a wedding or birthday party at Lyon Park?
Yes. The center is available for weddings, receptions, anniversary gatherings, birthday parties and other approved private events. A special four-hour birthday option is available for qualifying parties for children age 10 or younger, with a 40-person limit and a 2 PM finish.
7. Is a security deposit required?
Yes. Renters must pay a refundable security deposit in addition to the rental fee and mandatory cleaning charge. The July 2026 rate sheet does not state one universal deposit amount, so request the current figure from the rental agent.
8. Can renters use the park for tents and inflatables?
Yes, with prior contractual approval, applicable grounds preservation fees and required vendor conditions. The July 2026 schedule lists $30 per inflatable, $50 per pole tent and $100 for pony rides or petting zoos. Water features and floored tents are not allowed.
9. Is parking available near Lyon Park Community Center?
The venue advertises free nearby on-street parking. It is also approximately a 20-minute walk from Clarendon or Courthouse Metro stations, and Metrobus services stop near the park. Parking availability can vary during major events.
10. How do I book Lyon Park Community Center?
Review the official rental rates, check the availability calendar, and submit the reservation request form at lyonpark.info/reservation/. Provide your contact information, address, event type, date, guest count, rental period and special requirements. For assistance, email rent@lyonpark.info.
Official Information and Booking Resources
Lyon Park Community Center — Official Website
Rental Prices and Deposit Information
July 2026 Rental, Cleaning and Optional Service Fees PDF
Official Renter Responsibilities and Usage Rules
Lyon Park Neighborhood Events and Updates
This independent visitor guide was reviewed October 26, 2026. Prices reflect the official July 8, 2026 rental document. Program dates, available rental periods, security deposits, contract terms and site access can change. Complete all reservations and payments directly with the community center.