Ottawa County Parks & Recreation

Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing Park

Showings

Facility tours require advance appointments and are based on the facility schedule. Call the Guest Services Supervisor at (616) 368-7587 to make an appointment.

Each reservation, or potential reservation, has the option to take one free 30-minute tour of a facility. Anyone involved in your event can attend this tour including caterer, decorator, etc. Any additional tours requested will be charged a $25 fee/each.

Features

Facility Rules

• Nothing is allowed that would damage park property or furnishings. This includes nails, screws, tacks, staples, duct tape, mailing tape, or similar products.
• Anything that would leave evidence after the reservation is not allowed. This includes sidewalk chalk, glitter, confetti, birdseed, rice, or sprinkled decorations of any kind.
• Larger/specialty appliances are not allowed, such as cotton candy, popcorn, or ice cream machines. No more than one appliance is allowed per plug, including crock pots. Please do not use power strips for appliances, or the circuit breaker may trip.
• Dogs and other animals are not allowed in any rental areas. Service dogs are permitted if working and wearing an identifying harness or vest.

• Decorations

  Set-up, decorating, and clean-up must be done within your rental time period. All decorations must remain within your rental area. All decorations, including any portable furniture/ structures, such as trellises, podiums, etc., must be contained within your rental area, must be completely removable and must not damage park property or trees in any way.

  Aisle runners and portable dance floors are allowed but must be removed immediately following the reservation time period and may not be left overnight.

  Wire stake signs are allowed at the entrance to the facility to indicate your event during your reservation time only. Signs and balloons may not be stapled, nailed, tied, or taped to light poles or park signs. It is the responsibility of the reservation holder to remove all signs at the end of the event.

  What Is NOT Allowed

  • No piñatas
  • No flames/fire, including candles, tiki torches, sparklers, lanterns, firecrackers/fireworks, portable fire pits.
  • Anything that could cause damage or leave evidence after the event, including but not limited to:
    • NO Adhesives, including masking tape, scotch tape, duct tape, glue, hot glue, painters tape or 3M command strips.
    • Sidewalk chalk, paint, color bombs
    • Objects/lanterns released into air/water
    • Sprinkled decorations of any kind, including confetti, glitter, birdseed, rice, or artificial flower petals
    • Tacks, staples, nails, screws, zip ties or anything that would damage structures or trees
    • Ground cover or any material that could suffocate grass
    • Free-floating balloons. Balloons must be securely tied to weights and must be taken home with you. (do not stuff inflated balloons in trash bags)

  What IS Allowed

  • LED or battery-powered candles
  • Bubbles in spill-proof containers
  • Real flower petals
  • Potted plants and flower arrangements (real or artificial)
  • Draped decorations, such as tulle or garland
  • Free-standing decorations
  • Sterno heating cans for buffet-style trays
  • Wire stake signs are allowed at the entrance to the facility to indicate your event during your reservation time only (It is the responsibility of the reservation holder to remove all signs at the end of the event).
• Tables & Chairs
  • Eight picnic tables per side, 6' long x 27.5” wide.
  • One serving table per side, 10' long x 27.5” wide.
  • Outdoor Patio has eight tables per side.
• Tents

  Tents are not allowed at this facility.

• Grill & Pig Roast

  Grills

  There is one grill nearby that is 1.5' x 1.25'. You may bring your own if it is kept on a hard surface.

  Pig Roasters

  May be used outdoors if kept on cement, gravel, or paved surface. Must have pan underneath to catch drippings. All waste from grilling/smoking/roasting including bones and grease must be removed from the site after the event. Please do not use our dumpster.

• Alcoholic Beverages & Rules

  Ottawa County Parks pre-approved bartending service required if alcohol is to be served or present at an event. Contact the Parks Office for more information.

  The presence of alcoholic beverages not being served by an Ottawa County Parks pre-approved bartending service at an event will result in forfeiture of your security deposit and possible event closure.

  Reservations including beer and wine require the following:

  • $250 refundable alcohol security deposit
  • Ottawa County Parks pre-approved licensed bartending service

  Approved Bartenders

  • Naber & Girls - (616) 594-6618
  • Mixed Events: (616) 414-4774
  • Pour Choices: (906) 201-0890
  • Distinctive Catering - (616) 538-4384

  Alcohol Rules

  • All applicable state and local laws and ordinances are in effect
  • No underage drinking is allowed
  • Beer and wine only
  • Alcohol consumption must cease 30 minutes prior to the end of an event
  • No cash bars or sale of drink tickets are allowed
• Facility Opening/Closing

  The facility will only be available at the times listed on your rental confirmation form. You may not see a staff person when you arrive.

  Parks Staff Responsibilities & Services

  • Staff will have the facility clean, setup and open at your arrival time.
  • Staff will have tables and chairs set up. You may rearrange them but need to return them to their original locations at the end of the reservation.

  Renter Responsibilities

  • Any decorating or food-related needs, such as table coverings, dishes, utensils, etc.
  • Cleanup instructions are available at the facility as a guide to follow at the end of your event.
  • We ask that you leave the facility in the condition you found it, including bagging all trash and depositing in the dumpster located in the parking lot. If you need assistance with this task let the staff person know when you arrive.