Shelter House Reservation Inquiry

A permit is required for all Shelter House reservations and are subject to availability. We require advanced notice for Shelter House reservations. A minimum of three (3) days is required to process the permit application, a $50 charge is added for last minute requests of less than three business days.

Shelter House rental fee is $350 for 1-25 guests, $650 for 26-50 guests. Admission to the Holden Arboretum (including the Emergent Tower and Canopy Walk) is included with all Shelter House Reservations for up to 50 people. Shelter House Reservations are 10 am – 4 pm, with host arrival as early as 9 am to set up. Clean up from 4-4:30 pm. Shelter House must be vacated by 4:30 pm. Please see “Acknowledgement” section for more details about renting the Shelter House.

After filling out this form, you will be contacted for official booking and payment information.

Shelter House Reservation Inquiry

Name(Required)

First Last

Date of Event (Choice 1)(Required)

Date of Event (Choice 2)

Date of Event (Choice 3)

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Arrival Time

Number of Guests (50 max)

Please enter a number less than or equal to 50.

Occasion of Event

Acknowledgement(Required)

I , the undersigned, have read, understand, and agree with the following terms and conditions

A permit is required for all Shelter House reservations and are subject to availability.

We require advanced notice for Shelter House reservations. A minimum of three (3) days is required to process the permit application, a $50 charge is added for last minute requests of less than three business days.

Please adhere to the following guidelines when utilizing the Shelter House:
General Use Rules:
Shelter House may be reserved for up to 50 guests.
The permit holder must be 21 years or older and must be present during the rental. Reservation of the Shelter House for events is available between the hours of 10am and 4pm Tuesdays-Sundays, except for holidays when the campus is entirely closed or closes early. Setup for the event is granted no earlier than 9 am, clean up must be completed by 4:30 pm.

Shelter House reservations are limited to the structure itself; the Arboretum will still be open to the public.

Reservation of the Shelter House does allow for guests to provide their own food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Beer and wine must be purchased through Holden Arboretum to be served to guests ages 21+. Please contact cnardo@holdenfg.org if you would like to purchase beer/wine for your event (ice not provided). Liquor is not permitted at the Shelter House unless being catered by an approved caterer and bartender provided by catering staff- please contact Celia at cnardo@holdenfg.org for more information about catering. Please note, all alcohol is prohibited on Sundays.

Clean-up is the responsibility of the Shelter House renter. Area in and around the Shelter House must be picked up and free of litter. All trash must be placed in the provided garbage receptacles. Please do not overstuff the receptacles. Please take any trash that will not fit into the receptacles with you. If garbage receptacles are moved to edges of Shelter House, the cans should be moved back under Shelter House cover at end of event.

When possible, we request that tablecloths and disposable items be compostable. Aluminum cans can be crushed and recycled in the receptable in the visitor’s center near the main restrooms, or a recycle bag can be provided to you if requested in advance. Cans should be emptied of all liquids. Cardboard may be broken down and left neatly near the trash cans to be recycled. Glass bottles are unable to be recycled at this time.

If using the charcoal grills at the Shelter House, we request that you clean them after use. Please note charcoal is not provided. Renters may build a fire in the fireplace – a small amount of firewood will be provided if private rentals staff (cnardo@holdenfg.org)/guest services is notified in advance of intent to use fireplace. Please allow the fire to burn down prior to 4 pm and alert guest services/Holden Arboretum Police if still hot when departing.

The Shelter House is an outdoor space, and as such, we try to keep it neat and clean, though it may be subject to the outdoors, in its naturalistic state. Music is permitted, but use of amplification must be approved. Electricity is limited to the Shelter House structure.
As the Arboretum is a public attraction, no area may be roped off – a “Reserved for Private Event” sign will be provided at the Shelter House. Balloons, confetti, glitter, paint, chalk, sparklers, and fake flowers are prohibited, and a fine will be charged if brought it or used during reservation.

Health and Safety Rules
Smoking and vaping are prohibited on the Holden Arboretum property.
Dogs are permitted on the grounds but must be kept on a leash and picked up after.

Name(Required)

First Last

Date(Required)

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