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Welcome to the Nature Education Center at Hemlock Crossing County Park

Thank you for considering an event at the Nature Education Center (NEC). Because this is a unique

facility, it may not be well-suited for every type of event. Before booking an event, we highly

recommend calling our Guest Services Supervisor at (616) 368-7587 to schedule a showing. The

seating arrangements selected for each room will dictate the capacity for that room.

Rental Times and Fees Classroom

Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., three hour minimum rental time

Ottawa County Residents*: $ 35/hour Non-County Residents*: $ 50/hour

Capacity: Up to 30 people with tables and chairs

Great Room

Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 p.m., three hour minimum rental time

Ottawa County Residents*: $ 50/hour Non-County Residents*: $ 70/hour

Capacity: Up to 90 people seated or 80 with tables and chairs

Entire building

Tuesday-Sunday, 5:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Ottawa County Residents*: $ 1000 Non-County Residents*: $ 1250

Optional Early Set-Up Fee (4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Great Room only): $ 100

Please Note: Weddings/receptions may only be held on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday evenings.

* All reservations require a separate $250 refundable security deposit. Security deposits are fully

refundable if there are no damages to the facility or rule violations. Refunds are usually received

within 2-3 weeks after each event.

Fees and rules for events with alcohol are listed on the next page.

Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission

Phone: (616) 738-4810 Email: OCParks@miOttawa.org Web: www.miOttawa.org/Parks

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Alcohol Service Information (Beer and Wine Only) Park rules prohibit alcohol at the NEC without a

special permit. The presence of alcohol at an

event without a special permit will result in

forfeiture of your security deposit and possible

event closure. Events will be monitored by park

staff as needed. Violations of alcohol policies will

be enforced by civil infractions issued by staff or

Sheriff’s Deputy.

The following items are required for alcohol to be

permitted:

A signed indemnification agreement is

required, as well as an additional $250

deposit and non-refundable $50 permit fee.

Events of 50 or more people require an

approved bartender (list available on request).

All alcohol must be provided by the bartender;

no guest-provided alcohol is allowed.

Events of less than 50 people do not require a

bartender; however, proof of liability

insurance is required and must name County

of Ottawa as additional insured. Coverage

requirements are included on the

indemnification form.

If your reservation includes an alcohol permit, the

following rules apply:

All alcohol must remain inside the building.

Alcohol is not allowed in any outdoor areas.

Beer and wine are allowed in cans, bottles, or

boxes only. No liquor or kegs allowed.

No cash bars or “pay for admission” events.

All applicable State and local laws and

ordinances are in effect.

Serving of alcohol must cease 30 minutes

prior to the end of the event.

All alcohol consumption must cease at the

end of the reservation period.

Reservation Area and Time Reservations may only be held inside the NEC

and do not include outdoor areas. Reservation

activities, decorations, and ceremonies must take

place in the building. Outdoor areas are open to

the public and must remain available for use by

other park guests. The following items are not

permitted at this site: tents, outdoor amusements

(e.g. bouncy houses, dunk tanks, blow-up slides),

horseshoes, volleyball/badminton nets, or similar

items. Bicycles, skateboards, and scooters are

not allowed on trails at Hemlock Crossing Park.

The driveway and parking lots may not be used

for activities such as biking or skating.

When you make a reservation, we will ask for

arrival and departure times. Please contact the

NEC at least two business days in advance if you

need to change times. All set-up and clean-up

must be completed within your reservation

time. If your reservation is during regular NEC

hours and extends beyond your rental period, $25

per hour will be deducted from your security

deposit. If your reservation is outside regular

hours, it must end at the time listed on your form,

no later than 11 p.m.

On the Day of Your Event Park staff will meet you at your arrival time and

will require a few minutes of your time. If you do

not arrive at the designated time, a portion of

your deposit may be withheld. The building is not

available to set-up prior to your scheduled

arrival time.

Chairs and tables may only be used inside or on

the screened-in porch. Amplified music may only

be used inside the building during reservations

that take place outside of regular NEC hours.

Before your reservation time period ends, all

decorations and anything used to adhere them

must be removed. Place all trash in bins, and tie

trash bags closed. Also, please wipe down all

tables and clean up any messes. All personal

belongings must be completely removed.

If you have any reservation questions or need

assistance, please ask the park staff person

working at the event.

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Building Overview The Great Room and Classroom are available to

reserve during regular business hours, as long as

the reservation will not interfere with

programming. Doors may be closed to provide a

quiet meeting environment. Events serving

alcohol may only take place after 5:00 p.m. If

your event is held between the hours of 5:00 -

11:00 p.m., the areas outlined in black are

available (see map to right).

Amenities The Great Room includes panoramic views and

about 1400 square feet of useable area.

Amenities include:

Large A/V screen

Pull-down shades for the windows

Sound system

Doors to close off the room

Wood-burning fireplace

Sink and counter (water is not drinkable)

Seating available for up to 90 auditorium-

style or 80 with tables and chairs

The Classroom can accommodate small groups

of 30 people or less. Amenities include:

Magnetic dry-erase board

Wall bulletin boards

Screen

Sink and counter (water is not drinkable)

Both rooms have wireless internet. A media cart

and podium are available upon request, but a

computer and projector are not provided.

Kitchen and Water Use The well water at Hemlock Crossing has a high

level of naturally occurring ammonia. Tap water

may not be used for drinking or cooking.

Access to the kitchen is only available if arranged

prior to your event. The kitchen includes a

refrigerator, oven, and microwave.

Decorations Set-up, decorating, and clean-up time must be

included within the times listed on your

confirmation form. No lit candles or lanterns

with real flames are allowed. Decorations that

could cause damage or leave evidence behind

are not allowed. This includes, but is not limited

to:

Sidewalk chalk or paint

Vehicle decorations that can fall off while

driving, such as crepe paper

Floating lanterns or anything released into

the water or air

Piñatas not allowed without prior approval

Sprinkled decorations of any kind, such as

confetti, birdseed, rice (real flower petals are

permitted during wedding ceremonies)

Decorations must be completely removable and

must not damage park property. Nails, thumb

tacks, pins, screws, duct tape, or similar items

are not allowed. However, CommandTM strips

and similar products are allowed, as long as they

are completely removed after the event.

Decorations must remain within the building and

are not permitted in other areas of the park.

Classroom Wildlife Den Great Room

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Parking Parking is available in the lot near the NEC, and additional

parking is located near the restroom building. All parking areas

are open to the public and are first come, first served. Parking

is not allowed in the turnaround or in designated bus spaces.

Never park on the grass.

During the Event Please be aware that your event will be monitored by staff.

Violations of alcohol policies or park rules may result in loss of

your deposit; you or your guests may be issued civil infractions;

or your event may be shut down. Evidence of rule violation may

be enough to withhold deposit.

Smoking is not allowed, including e-cigarettes. This includes inside the NEC, on the screened-in

porch, or within 25 feet of any door. Cigarette butts must be extinguished and disposed properly.

Dogs and other animals are not allowed in the rental area. Service dogs for those with disabilities

are permitted.

Wedding Information When planning, please keep in mind that

Hemlock Crossing is a frequently used natural

public park. Be mindful of public use and

weather when planning a wedding here. Your

reservation only includes the interior of the NEC.

All other areas of the park are open to the public

and must remain available for public use. Be

respectful of other park users, and keep your

ceremony and celebrations inside the building. If

you plan to use another area of the park, follow

the “Outdoor Wedding Rules” (right).

Often the bride or groom is the person who

places the reservation with Ottawa County Parks.

Because this is a special day, you may not want

to spend it worrying about your guests’ conduct.

We recommend designating another adult who

will be the contact for park staff during the event.

This person should meet park staff at the arrival

time, be present during the entire event, and be

willing to enforce park rules. Do not assume that

everyone at your event will know the rules; share

them with your guests and encourage

cooperation. If you have a wedding planner or

decorator, please be sure that person receives a

copy of this packet.

As a reminder, decorations that could damage

park property, trees, or buildings are not allowed.

Wedding décor such as trellises, arches, or other

large items are not allowed. Horses and/or

carriages are not allowed at Hemlock Crossing

Park.

Outdoor Event/Wedding Rules The following rules apply only to ceremonies

or similar activities taking place outside the

Nature Education Center.

Parks staff must be aware of your plans

prior to your event.

All outdoor areas are first-come, first

served.

You may not rope off or “hold”

space prior to your event. Do not

ask other park users to leave an

area.

You may not block any walkways,

boardwalks, or stairs.

All park rules and regulations are in effect.

No amplified music or speaking is

permitted in open park areas. Music may

be played during your ceremony, but it

must not disturb other park guests.

Pesticides, bug bombs, and similar

products are not allowed.

Chairs and/or decorations may only be put

up 30 minutes before the ceremony and

must be removed immediately after the

ceremony is finished.

Not allowed: artificial flowers, birdseed,

rice, confetti, candles, sparklers, lanterns

with real flames, sidewalk chalk.

Decorations that would cause damage to

park property, trees, or buildings are not

allowed.