The Tacoma Nature Center, nestled in a 71-acre wooded nature preserve, overlooks a serpentine-shaped lake and offers a peaceful setting for your retreat or special event.

The Center's gathering room has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the wooded lakeside setting and offers banquet and reception accommodations for up to 80 people.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND FACILITY:

• Capacity: 65 seated, 80 standing
• 75 chairs, eight 5-foot diameter round tables and eight 5-foot-by 2-foot rectangular tables
• Parking: Free parking for up to 50 cars on a non-reserved basis
• Cleanup: renter to clean
• Fully disabled-accessible
• Decorations: masking tape only, no pins; decorating time included in rental time
• Small kitchenette - no on-site cooking
• Outside caterers allowed
• Liquor allowed with permit - District bartender regulations apply (see below)
• Large built-in automated screen for slide and video projection - no charge
• Sound equipment available for a $25 A/V charge. Includes a wired microphone at the front of the room and a multiple-disc cd player with built-in surround sound. A portable blue-tooth compatible speaker suitable for use with iPod type devices is also available.
• Additional A/V equipment is available for a $50 A/V charge. This fee covers all of the sound equipment above plus a divd player with a non-digital projector and surround sound, a laptop and digital projector with portable speakers, and/or a Clary 60" portable computer (like a Smartboard).
• Hard-wired internet access is available - no charge. WiFi for one device at a time through a voucher system is available at no charge. 48 hours advance notice for WiFi voucher is required.

SPECIAL SERVICE:
Scenic outdoor area available for weddings. Staff person on site during event.

AVAILABILITY AND TERMS:

• The Tacoma Nature Center auditorium is one of the most unique facilities available.
• Its southern wall of windows slide open to reveal the beauty of the nature preserve.
• The Center accommodates up to 80 people with a two-hour minimum rental time.
• A one hour, non-refundable deposit is required to secure reservation.
• Refundable damage deposit is also required for social functions and business functions with food or drink involved.
• Please read the alcohol guidelines below if any alcohol will be served.
• Debit or credit required for payment - no cash or checks accepted.
• Cancellation/Changes to reservation: the one hour deposit is always non-refundable. The balance of the rental fees is refundable on the following schedule: cancellation 61 days or more before reservation date - full refund; cancellation 30-60 days before reservation date - 50% of balance; cancellation less than 30 days before reservation date - no refund.

Call the Nature Center at (253) 591-6439 Monday through Saturday to arrange a tour or make your reservations.

BUSINESS MEETINGS

• $50 per hour during the Nature Center's regular business hours
• $100 per hour after regular Nature Center hours
• To reserve a date a one hour non-refundable deposit is required
• $100 refundable damage deposit required when food or drink present

SOCIAL EVENTS (WEDDINGS, PARTIES, MEMORIAL SERVICES)

• $100 per hour 
• Minimum rental 2 hours (4 hours on Sundays) 
• To reserve a date a one hour non-refundable deposit is required
• $350 refundable damage deposit required

Additional rooms available downstairs - please inquire about availability and rates.

PICNIC SHELTER

The onsite picnic shelter is also available for rental. It seats 50-80 people including 4 wheelchair accessible spots. The shelter is a shade shelter only and is not waterproof.

There are no barbeques allowed and there is no electricity or running water in the shelter.  It is open to the public except when reserved.

Fee is $50 per hour. Minimum of one hour, but 1/2 hour increments are acceptable.

Reserve a Discovery Pond Birthday Party Package and you will receive 2.5 hours reserved in the picnic shelter and 1 hour exclusive use of Discovery Pond for only $150.

Do you want to rent this facility?

For information on renting this facility contact:
tnc@tacomaparks.com or (253) 591-6439

Forms and Information:

• Facility Rental Application
• Facility Rental Guide
• Facility Rental Policy
• Alcohol Conditions
• Rental Contract
• Guide to Eco-Friendly Weddings - Show your commitment to Earth stewardship with eco-friendly invitations, favors, centerpieces, attire, flowers and more.
• Banquet Permits - required when any alcohol is served

More forms and documents (including versions in Spanish)