Rentals
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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.

Instructor-Led Birthday Parties

Give your child a birthday party to remember for a lifetime at Heller Nature Center. Party packages come with a fun, educational program and a party room for 1.5 hours. Parties are scheduled based on room and staff availability.

Party Fees

4-6 Year Old Parties

  • Nature Treasure Hunt

    Follow the nature clues finding exciting creatures along the way. Each clue leads closer and closer to our final treasure!

  • Animal Tea Party or Picnic

    Enjoy a mini tea party or picnic with some forest friends. Create a nature party hat and collect nature items for your animal guests to enjoy. Play traditional party games with an animal twist!

6-8 Year Old Parties

  • Creature Feature

    Discover the sights, sounds, and tracks left behind by your favorite animal, bird, or insects. Go on a quest to play and learn more about your chosen creature.

  • Letterboxing/Geocaching Quest

    Hike our trails to find hidden clues that lead to your next destination. Stamp your passport at each box and follow the clues through the forest.

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.

Questions?

Contact Us

Debbie
Pierce
District Wide Rental Manager
847.579.4047