Outdoor Campus and Facility Rental

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

OUTDOOR CAMPUS RENTAL 

DESCRIPTION: The Outdoor Campus is our largest event space. This three-acre enclosed area is adjacent to the nature center building and can accommodate groups of 100. Amenities include a 20 x 30 pavilion built with timbers harvested from Hartley Park, composting toilet facility, amphitheater with small stage and the nature playscape. Event examples include birthday parties, company events, and family gatherings. For weddings, please see wedding section below for more information.

RENTAL OPTIONS

  • After Hours Events Only: Includes exclusive use of the space for up to three hours between 5 pm and 8 pm M-F, or between 9 am and 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Due to lack of lighting, evening events will be limited during certain times of the year.

FEATURES & AMENITIES

  • Open-sided pavilion: The open sided pavilion has seating for 40-50 people and is a great place for events like a company picnic or family reunion.
  • Amphitheater: The amphitheater has seating for 100+ people on rough sawn wood benches providing a rustic seating area for large groups. Small rustic stage at center.
  • Playscape: This area is designed for children 3-8 years of age and can be a great place for entertaining children at family gatherings, or for play groups, birthday parties, or other events where there are a lot of children.
  • Does NOT include the use of the Yurt

NEED TO KNOW

  • Limited electricity is available
  • Parking is available at the main nature center lot but is a 200+ yard walk to the outdoor campus. Trails are maintained year-round but can be snow or ice covered during the winter months. There are 60 spots (4 handicap). Parking is shared with all park users and cannot be guaranteed. Parking may be limited due to city projects or other circumstances beyond HNC’s control.
  • Outdoor composting toilets are available for use during spring, summer, and fall. There is no running water.
  • Decorations are allowed but must be put up and taken down within the rental period. Space should not be altered in any way without prior approval. Renter is responsible for any damage that occurs during event.
  • One Hartley staff member will be assigned to you for your entire event.
  • No fires
  • No dogs
  • No alcohol

COST: $125/hour (minimum 2 hours)

Outdoor Campus rental requires a special use permit. Email office@hartleynature.org for more info.

 

YURT RENTAL

DESCRIPTION: Unique and rustic, this 30’ diameter yurt (almost 700 sq. ft.), is the perfect space for small gatherings. Examples include birthday parties, celebrations, family gatherings, or team building events. The yurt has space for 20-30 people with bench seating. Does NOT include the use of the pavilion, amphitheater, lean-to or playscape.

RENTAL OPTIONS

  • Weekday Events: Includes exclusive use of the space between 9 am and 4 pm, M-F. Only available when there is no Hartley programming in yurt.
  • After Hours Events: Includes exclusive use of the space for up to three hours between 4 pm and 8 pm M-F, or between 9 am and 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Due to lack of lighting, evening events will be limited during certain times of the year.

AMENITIES & FEATURES

  • Tables & Benches (2 tables and 8 benches, no chairs)
  • Projection Screen (HNC does not provide AV equipment)
  • Dry Erase Board

NEED TO KNOW

  • Limited electricity available (one outlet)
  • Lighting is limited (rope lights provide an ambient glow)
  • Propane and wood stove heat available (stove attended to by Hartley staff)
  • Parking is available at the main nature center lot but is a 200+ yard walk to the outdoor campus. Trails are maintained year-round but can be snow or ice covered during the winter months. There are 60 spots (4 handicap). Parking is shared with all park users and cannot be guaranteed. Parking may be limited due to city projects or other circumstances beyond HNC’s control.
  • Outdoor composting toilets are available for use during spring, summer, and fall. There is no running water.
  • Decorations are allowed but must be put up and taken down within the rental period. Space should not be altered in any way without prior approval. No decorations on or above wood stove. Renter is responsible for any damage that occurs during event.
  • One Hartley staff member will be assigned to you for your entire event.
  • No dogs
  • No alcohol

COST: $125/hour (minimum 2 hours)

Yurt rental requires a special use permit. Email office@hartleynature.org for more info.

  

INDOOR CLASSROOM RENTAL

DESCRIPTION: 1265 sq. ft. classroom space inside Hartley Nature Center. This space can accommodate 15-40 people depending on the set up desired. Have a speaker or presentation? Set it up conference style with AV equipment and enough chairs for up to 40 people. Having a board meeting? We can set tables up in a square with chairs for 15-20 people. Hartley will work with most small groups to find a set-up that works for you.

RENTAL OPTIONS

  • Operating Hour Events: Can be rented between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm Mon.-Fri. Only available when there is no Hartley programming. Minimum of 2-hour rental required.
  • After Hour Events: Can be rented between 4 pm and 8 pm Mon.-Fri., or between 9 am and 8 pm on Sat.-Sun. Minimum of 2-hour rental required.

 AMENITIES & FEATURES

  • Projection screen and AV equipment
  • Up to 8 – 8ft folding tables
  • Up to 40 cushioned chairs
  • Sink and counters (Great for birthday parties)
  • Dry erase board

NEED TO KNOW

  • Group will have exclusive use of the room, but the building will remain open to the public during normal business hours. Groups are not allowed to use areas outside of the reserved space for their event.
  • Volume of AV equipment will be limited during normal business hours.
  • Indoor bathrooms are available, but shared with members of the public, and Hartley Nature Center staff.
  • Parking is available at the main nature center lot (60 spaces, 4 handicap), but is shared with all park users and cannot be reserved for your event. Parking may be limited due to city projects or other circumstances beyond HNC’s control.
  • Decorations are allowed but must be put up and taken down within the rental period. Space should not be altered in any way without prior approval. Renter is responsible for any damage that occurs during event.
  • One Hartley staff member will be assigned to you for your entire after-hours event.
  • No dogs
  • No alcohol

COST: $50/hour (minimum 2 hours) for business hour events, $75/hour for after hours events.

Facility rental requires a special use permit. Email office@hartleynature.org for more info.

 

CEREMONY ONLY WEDDING RENTAL

DESCRIPTION: Hartley Nature Center offers a unique and rustic venue for small wedding ceremonies. The outdoor amphitheater is the perfect spot to tie the knot. With rustic wood benches for up to 75 guests, and a small wooden stage, the amphitheater can add rustic outdoor charm to your ceremony. Want something with a roof? The open-sided pavilion can be set up for ceremonies up to 40 people.

RENTAL OPTIONS

  • Weekend Events Only: Includes use of the space for up to four hours between 9 am and 8 pm on Saturday or Sunday. Rental includes 1 additional hour for rehearsal or decorating. Must take place no later than 6pm the Friday before your event.

AMENITIES & FEATURES

  • Exclusive use of the entire outdoor campus (yurt included)
  • Amphitheater with rustic wood seating for 75 people
  • Rustic wood stage with wooden backdrop
  • Open-sided pavilion with benches. Up to 10 – 8ft benches are available upon request. Can be used for ceremony up to 40 people.
  • 30’ diameter yurt with bench seating. Can be used for a dressing room or staging area for the bridal party.

NEED TO KNOW

  • Group will have exclusive use of the outdoor campus, but the park remains open to the public during the event.
  • Rustic compost toilets are available in the outdoor campus (summer months only) but have no running water.
  • Limited electricity is available at pavilion, stage, and yurt.
  • Parking is available at the main nature center lot but is a 200+ yard walk to the outdoor campus on gravel trails. Trails are maintained year-round but can be snow or ice covered during the winter months. There are 60 spots (4 handicap). Parking is shared with all park users and may be limited due to city projects or other circumstances beyond HNC’s control.
  • Decorations are allowed inside the event area but must be taken down by the end of the event time.
  • Space should not be altered in any way without prior approval. All trash must be picked up and disposed of properly by end of event. Renter is responsible for any damage that occurs during event.
  • Acoustic music is allowed but cannot exceed 90 decibels (one acoustic guitar, or about the sound of a lawnmower).
  • One Hartley staff member will be assigned to you for your entire event.
  • No alcohol
  • No fires (this includes any open flames used in decorating)
  • No dogs

COST: $700

Wedding rental requires a special use permit. Email office@hartleynature.org for more info.

 

EVENT GUIDELINES FOR ALL EVENTS

RESERVATIONS

Hartley Nature Center will place your event date on hold for up to two weeks without deposit. After that time, the date may be released unless prior arrangements have been made.

To officially reserve a facility, a deposit of 50% is required in addition to a signed contract. The remainder of the balance is due on the day of the event. Filling out a special use permit does not guarantee an event. It only informs Hartley Nature Center of your interest in an event. Your event is not reserved until you receive confirmation from Hartley Nature Center.

Once a permit is issued the reservation is final. Changes to the permit will require an additional $25 charge.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations must be made in writing to Hartley Nature Center (email okay) and is effective upon receipt of the written notice. If an event is cancelled 120 days prior to the event, your full deposit will be refunded. If the event is cancelled between 90 to 120 days 50% of the deposit will be refunded. If the event is cancelled less than 90 days prior to the event, your deposit will not be refunded.

On occasion, unexpected or emergency maintenance of the park and/or park buildings is required (severe storm damage, flooding, fire). If these infrequent instances affect your permit, you will be notified. Hartley Nature Center reserves the right to cancel an event if deemed necessary for safety of event participants. In the case of cancellation initiated by Hartley Nature Center, the renter will be refunded 100% of the deposit.

OUTDOOR EVENTS

All renters interested in renting an outdoor space must make an appointment with HNC staff to tour the site. The outdoor space looks different during each season and may look different from the day of your tour. Please make sure to consider the changing seasons and conditions when scheduling your event. HNC is not responsible for any complications due to weather.

EVENT END TIME

The timeline of your event will be outlined in your contract, but all events must end no later than 8:00 pm (meaning everything must be cleaned up and all guests must be gone). The park remains open until 10:00 pm, at which time all guests must be out of the park.

SECURITY

Hartley Nature Center does not provide security for any events. The renter is responsible for the safe and lawful conduct of all participants attending event. Hartley Nature Center is not responsible for any theft, property damage, or physical harm that may happen during an event, or while in Hartley nature Center of Hartley Park. You are responsible for securing all valuables.

 

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Need a special use permit? Have questions? Contact Kue Xiong, our Office Manager at office@hartleynature.org