Grounds Rental
Have your wedding, birthday, fundraiser, company event, family reunion, celebration,
or spiritual ceremony at Leila Arboretum or the Children’s
Garden!
These special places offer settings for
special events unmatched by traditional indoor venues. The beautiful
environments, with their array of flowering collections, distinctive
grasses, magnificent trees and meandering pathways, provide the
perfect backdrop for events of many kinds and photo opportunities
in abundance.
In early spring, the arboretum bursts into fragrant bloom with
thousands of bulbs and flowering trees. In summer it is a colorful
canvas of daylilies, coneflowers, daisies and other hardy delights.
By autumn, the trees take center stage adorned in reds, yellows
and hues of orange against the richness of evergreens. When winter
settles in, varieties of grasses show off their amazing colors
and textures against white snow.
The arboretum offers six distinctive locations, though certainly
others may be chosen.
Miss Iva Doty Native Plant Garden
Brides or couples renewing
their vows can make a heart-touching entrance from a pathway
into the
oval-shaped gardens, the heart of which can be set with chairs
providing seating for as many as 300.
Perennial Gardens
These
beds, carefully placed along the arboretum’s central walkway, provide an inspiring
setting for a garden wedding
or spiritual ceremony. Floral displays begin in mid-April
and continue throughout the summer. Seating can be arranged for about 500.
Gazebo
The arboretum has a gazebo for small, private ceremonies quietly nestled in the hollow of the
hills offering inspiring grand vistas. Seating can be
arranged for about 300.
Peace Labyrinth
Labyrinths are nearly as old as time, but have
only recently come back into public attention for their extraordinary
ability to help individuals block out the stress, confusion,
uncertainty of life, and focus their minds to find peace and direction. Set
in a hillside of the arboretum, a small group
can gather at the labyrinth for a time of spiritual unity or individual
exploration. Guided events can be arranged.
Children's Garden
This fenced, one-acre setting with a
sheltered pavilion, restrooms, picnic tables
and a small food-preparation area, can be rented in its
entirety for
private gatherings when the Children's Garden is not open to the public. Families or groups can also reserve a table or tables
under the pavilion during public events, bring their own picnic
fare, and combine their gathering with activities going on around
them. The Children's Garden has its own paved parking lot.
Fountain
The fountain at Leila
Arboretum holds special attraction to all visitors and is the ideal
backdrop for weddings and events. Even if you utilize one of the many
great locations on the grounds for your event, the fountain is a
perfect picture location. The fountain was renovated in 2010 through
donations from friends of the arboretum. This location can be arranged
to seat 300.
Arboretum Parking
Parking in the arboretum near these locations is limited. Parking is not allowed on the lawn because the resulting soil compaction inhibits plant
and tree growth. Ample paved parking exists near the Kingman Museum
and at the Children’s Garden (158 spaces). Car-pooling from paved
lots is encouraged. Arranging for shuttle service may be appropriate.
| Rental Sites and Fees |
|
|
Hours - Any three-hour period:
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. - 9:00
p.m. Children's Garden Only |
| Location |
Rental Fees |
|
| Fountain |
$350 |
|
| Children's Garden |
$350 |
|
Large Gazebo
Perennial Garden |
$300
$300 |
|
Peace Labyrinth
Any other site not listed above
Additional hour(s) |
$200
$200
$100/hour |
|
|
| Children's Garden Pavilion (2-hour block) |
$250 |
|
| |
| |
| Services and Equipment
Available |
| Items |
| |
| Leila Arboretum Society has a list of authorized vendors you may contact to rent tents, chairs, podiums, runners, archways, electrical cords, microphones and other needs. |
|
| Electrical fee |
$25 |
There is no electrical service to the gazebo or the labyrinth.
Other special requests may be discussed with the LAS
office manager. Rates do not include set-up and take-down. Rates are subject to change. All
items used on LAS grounds must be rented from an LAS approved business/vendor.
To find out more about facility rentals and available dates,
fill out the form below or call Sue (269) 969-0270
x 116. Feel free to follow up with an e-mail message or a phone call if you don't hear from her within a few business days.
Agreement Policies
- A $125 deposit is required.
- Final payment is due 30 days before your event.
- If an event is canceled more than 270 days in advance, 50 percent of the deposit will be refunded. Cancellations
less than 270 days in advance will result in forfeiture of the full deposit.
- A $150 damage fee is required 30 days before your
event. This will be refunded, providing there is no damage
to the grounds or property.
-No alcoholic beverages are permitted in Leila Arboretum.
Leila Arboretum is owned by the City of Battle Creek and
managed by Leila Arboretum Society. The Children’s
Garden is owned and operated by Leila Arboretum Society. | 
