Ottawa County Parks & Recreation

Facility Rental FAQ's

• How do I pay?

  Online reservations require immediate payment by Visa or Mastercard. All fees are due at the time the reservation is made.

• How far in advance can I make my reservation?

  Reservations can be made up to one year in advance.

• What is your cancellation policy?

  If the person renting a facility cancels the reservation, the following policy applies:

  • 61+ days prior to the reservation: 80% refund of reservation fee plus 100% refund of deposit, or the reservation may be rescheduled for a $20 rescheduling fee.
  • 31 to 60 days prior to the reservation: 50% refund of reservation fee plus 100% refund of deposit, or the reservation may be rescheduled for a $20 rescheduling fee.
  • 0 to 30 days prior to the reservation: Reservation fee will not be refunded, and reservation may not be rescheduled. 100% of deposit will be refunded.
  • No show, no call, or cancellation after the reservation date: Neither the reservation fee nor the deposit will be refunded, and reservation may not be rescheduled.

  Exceptions to cancellation policy:

  • If the facility is unavailable due to a building maintenance issue (e.g. a fire, plumbing or HVAC issue, etc.), a natural disaster, pandemic, government restriction, or other problem outside of the control of both Ottawa County Parks and the renter, the renter would be offered a 90% refund of the reservation fee and 100% refund of deposit, or the reservation may be rescheduled at no additional cost, or the funds may be placed on account for a future reservation, park program, or merchandise.
  • If Ottawa County Parks chooses to cancel the reservation for any reason not listed above, 100% of all fees will be refunded, or the reservation may be rescheduled at no additional cost.
• What if I need to change my date?

  Please contact the Parks Office at 616-738-4810 to inquire about date changes.

• If I have a reservation at a park with an entrance fee, do I still have to pay the fee?

  Yes, unless you have an Ottawa County Parks annual motor vehicle permit. View more information about fees.

• Can I have a bouncy house/moonwalk (amusement)?

  Many sites allow these type of items; however, some sites have restrictions about where amusements may be located and whether they may be staked or must be sandbagged. In addition, all amusements require proof of liability insurance and a signed indemnification form. Contact the parks office for more detail.

• Can I have alcohol at my event?

  Not at most reservation sites. Beer and wine are only allowed by special permit at the Pine Bend Weaver House, Grand Ravines Lodge, Connor Bayou Woodland Cabin, and the Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing Park. A refundable $250 alcohol security deposit is required. The presence of alcohol at an event at one of these locations without a special permit will result in forfeiture of your security deposit and possible event closure. If you have alcohol in a facility that does not permit it, you and/or your guests may receive civil infractions, and your event could be shut down.

• Can I bring my pet to a reservation?

  No, pets are not allowed in any rental areas or buildings. Assistance dogs are allowed if working and must be in uniform.

• Can I have a food truck?

  Yes, a food truck may cater your event with the following qualifications:

  • They must pay for a daily or annual motor vehicle permit.
  • They must park in a parking spot.
  • They need to park so that their window allows for your guests to line up in the grass or sidewalk, and not the parking lot.
  • They cannot dispose of food preparation waste on site.
• How do I cancel/change a reservation?

  Customers can make changes up to 14 days prior to their reservation. No changes are allowed within 2 weeks. Cancellations are allowed at any time, but our cancellation policy applies.

  • 61+ days prior to the reservation: 80% refund of reservation fee plus 100% refund of deposit, or the reservation may be rescheduled for a $20 rescheduling fee.
  • 31 to 60 days prior to the reservation: 50% refund of reservation fee plus 100% refund of deposit, or the reservation may be rescheduled for a $20 rescheduling fee.
  • 0 to 30 days prior to the reservation: Reservation fee will not be refunded, and reservation may not be rescheduled. 100% of deposit will be refunded.
  • No show, no call, or cancellation after the reservation date: Neither the reservation fee nor the deposit will be refunded, and reservation may not be rescheduled.

  
  

  Changing Your Reservation

  • Login to your account.
  • Click your name in the top right-hand corner.
  • Under History & Balances, click Manage My Reservation.
  • You should see your reservation, click Add To Cart.
  • This will take you to the Facility Search page, and you should see at the top of the screen in a blue text box that you are in Change Mode.
  • Build a new reservation that you want to change your existing reservation to.
  • Click add to cart.
  • Check out, and you should see that you are cancelling one reservation while creating the other.

  
  

  Cancelling Your Reservation

  • Login to your account.
  • Click your name in the top right-hand corner.
  • Under History & Balances, click Cancellations.
  • Click the blue "Cancel Item" button next to the item you wish to cancel.