Leila Arboretum Society - Grounds Rentals & Tours

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 five 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.

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 (currently not operational, check for updates)
While the Leila Arboretum fountain has been a very popular site for weddings for many years, we are unable to limp along the aging system for another year. The fountain pumps and motors need major work and may not be working or available this year. It is uncertain when we will be able to revive the fountain. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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.
Location	Rental Fees
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.

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Rental Date(s) if possible please include up to 3 alternative dates:
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Please select the area(s) you are interested in getting more information on.

Miss Iva Doty Native Plant Garden

Perennial Gardens

Gazebo

Peace Labyrinth

Children's Garden

All available areas

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.