About the waitlist
The waitlist allows you to request a spot in a class or program that is currently full. If a space becomes available, eligible participants may be notified.
This section explains how the waitlist works, where to see your waitlist entries, how to tell where you are in line, what happens when a spot is offered to you, and how to leave a waitlist you no longer want to be on.
Waitlist policies may vary
Waitlist procedures can differ depending on the Parks and Recreation department offering the program. Review the waitlist information provided on the department’s website to understand how it applies to a specific class or activity.
How to join the waitlist
When a class is full
When a class or program reaches its maximum capacity, an option to join the waitlist may appear if the waitlist is available.User account required
You must have a user account on the platform to join a waitlist. This allows the system to contact you if a spot becomes available.If nobody is waiting
If a spot opens up and no one is on the waitlist, you may be able to register directly instead of joining a waitlist. In that case you will see a normal registration option rather than a waitlist option.
Seeing your waitlist entries
Waitlist entries appear alongside your bookings in the Schedule section of your account, labelled On waitlist. You can filter your schedule to show only waitlisted items.
Seeing your position in line
You no longer have to ask where you are on the list. Your waitlist position is shown wherever your waitlist entry appears, including:
The waitlisted item in the Schedule section of your account.
The registration page for the program’s section or session.
The details view for that waitlist entry, and where household members are listed.
Your position reflects your place in the waitlist order at the time you view it. It can change as people ahead of you register, are removed, or leave the waitlist themselves.
Leaving a waitlist
You can remove yourself from a waitlist at any time. You do not need to contact anyone to do it.
Go to the Schedule section of your account.
Open the waitlisted item to view its details.
Choose the option to leave the waitlist, then confirm.
If you register for something that conflicts with a waitlist you are on, you may also be prompted to leave that waitlist after checkout.
How spots are offered
Spot availability
If a spot becomes available due to a cancellation or other changes, you may be notified either by the Parks and Recreation department or through the platform.First-come, first-served, or by invitation
Many departments offer available spots on a first-come, first-served basis, where the first eligible person to accept the opening secures the spot. Some programs have automated waitlist invitations enabled instead, in which case waitlisted participants are sent an invitation to register when a spot opens. Check your department’s waitlist policy to see which applies to your program.Offers are made in waitlist order
Where a department has the automated waitlist enabled, an open spot is offered to waitlisted participants in waitlist order, starting with the person at the top of the list. The offer is sent as a registration link by email, and by text message as well where SMS is enabled and configured. The automated waitlist is not turned on for every department or every program, so check your department’s waitlist policy.Your offer expires
A registration link from a waitlist does not stay open indefinitely. Each section or session has a claim period set by the department, and the link expires at the end of that claim window. Where the automated waitlist is enabled, the spot is then offered to the next person on the list. Invitations sent manually by staff also expire based on the section’s or session’s configured claim period rather than a fixed 24 hours, so the amount of time you have can differ from one program to another. Check the message you receive for the deadline that applies, and complete your registration as soon as you can. If your link has already expired, the spot may have moved on; you can rejoin the waitlist if it is still open.Why a class you are waitlisted for may still show open spots
Some departments choose to hold one spot for each person on the waitlist and release any remaining spots for anyone to book. Where that setting is in use, you may see spots available in a class you are waitlisted for. Joining a waitlist does not reserve all of the remaining capacity for the waitlist.
Keep your contact information up to date
Profile information
Make sure the contact details in your user profile are accurate and current. This includes your email address and phone number, which may be used to notify you about available spots.
Text message updates
Where your Parks and Recreation department has text messaging enabled and has turned it on for a waitlist, you can also receive SMS updates about your waitlist activity, including:
When you join a waitlist.
When a spot opens and is offered to you.
When your claim link expires.
When you are removed from a waitlist.
Text updates are sent only where the department has SMS enabled and configured for that waitlist, and they follow the notification preferences on your account. If you are expecting texts and are not receiving them, check that your mobile number is correct in your profile and that your notification preferences allow text messages. Email notifications are still sent regardless, so keep an eye on your inbox and your junk or spam folder as well.
Important reminder
Waitlist rules can vary by Parks and Recreation department. Review the department’s waitlist policies so you understand how notifications, timing, and spot acceptance are handled.
Keeping your contact information up to date and understanding the waitlist process can improve your chances of securing a spot when one becomes available. For questions about a specific waitlist, reach out to your local parks and recreation department directly.