Reserve a date for your next group meeting, family gathering or birthday party at Heller Nature Center. The unique, natural and comfortable surroundings of Heller make it a great choice for celebrations!
Heller Nature Center and the Park District of Highland Park support green initiatives and encourage our renters to consider ways in which to make their events more sustainable! If you are looking for ideas, please see our Sustainable Events Suggestions.
Prairie Room
Our spacious Prairie Room can accommodate up to 100 people and includes audiovisual equipment, tables, chairs and kitchen use.
Resident – $370 for two hours and $185 for each additional hour. Non-resident – $500 for two hours and $250 for each additional hour.
Fire Ring
Perfect for campfires up to 25 people. Heller Nature Center will provide wood, lighter and a water tank. No cooking over the fire is allowed with the exception of marshmallows.
Rental fee is $75/hour
Book Your Rental or Party
Requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. A resident may not be the applicant and/or payee for a room rental for a non-resident.
Proof of insurance is needed to serve alcohol. Alcohol must be kept in the designated area at all times and is not permitted for fire ring rentals.
Park District sponsored activities to have priority over other facility use. Public areas including the lobby and restrooms remain open for public use during business hours.
The time written on the application form is the approved rental time. The rental attendant will set up tables and chairs for room rentals. Renters may arrive 30 minutes prior to the rental time to deliver food, decorate, etc. Please note, tape and adhesives cannot be used on any wall surface and paints may not be used for any function. No live animals are allowed.
An additional 30 minutes after the rental time is reserved for clean up. Groups staying beyond 30 minutes will be charged for the full hour. Clean-up is the responsibility of the renter.
Rentals over 50 people will incur a $200 cleaning fee.
Payment in full is required at the time of booking.
A 90% of the total rental fees, plus damage deposit, will be refunded if requested more than 30 days prior to the event.
A 50% of the total rental fees, plus damage deposit, will be refunded if requested less than 30 days, but more than 10 days prior to the event.
A 30% of the total rental fees, plus damage deposit, will be refunded if requested less than 10 working days prior to the reserved date.