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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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I am getting married and want to preview the facility right away. When can I get in ... ?
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Can I decorate and set up tables and chairs the day before my event ... ?
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Other Great Room/ W.W. Knight Nature Center specific questions ...
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We want to use the Slippery Elm Trail for about 30 bikers...? Or William Henry Harrison Park for a bikeathon...
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I can't be there for the opening of my rental. Can I have my sister meet the staff person?
CLICK BELOW FOR:
Otsego Canoe Livery FAQs - on the Otsego Canoe Livery Page
Hunting FAQs - on the Hunting Page
ALCOHOL-RELATED QUESTIONS
Can I have alcohol at my event ... ?
We allow alcohol in the Hankison Great Room at The Nature Center at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve and the Otsego Stone Hall only with the purchase of an Alcohol Permit ($75) and additional $150 damage deposit. Alcohol is not permitted at any other facility or in any other park.
How do I obtain an alcohol permit ... ?
You must be 21 years of age or older and apply for the permit in person at Park District Headquarters at least 45 days prior to your event. At that time, you must pay the alcohol permit fee of $75.00 and additional damage deposit of $150.00, fill out the permit, and show a drivers' license. Headquarters is open M-F 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and is located at 18729 Mercer Road, rural Bowling Green, between Simonds and Sugar Ridge Roads.
Are underage persons allowed to attend my alcohol event?
Yes.
Are underage persons allowed to consume alcohol at my alcohol event?
No, you are responsible for your guests.You definitely do not want to allow them to consume alcohol under your permit.
We are getting married and are not going to provide alcohol for the guests. The only alcohol to be served will be at the head table for a toast. Do we need an alcohol permit?
Yes. you do. Alcohol usage and sales is controlled by the State of Ohio.
What if my guests bring their own alcohol?
You are ultimately responsible for the premises if damage is caused by anyone in your group. You must have paid for an alcohol permit in advance for any of your guests to consume alcohol at your event..
Can I provide alcohol to my underage son as long as I am monitoring them?
No, they will be cited as well as you.
Kitchen Facilities at Otsego ... ?
What appliances are available in the Otsego kitchen?
A full-size refrigerator/freezer, a three bay sink, an upper and lower oven, and a four-burner stove top. There is no microwave. Otsego also has plenty of countertop space. Ample outlets are available for roasters and crock pots.
Do you provide cleaning supplies?
No, we do not provide dish soap, scouring pads, washcloths or towels.
Kitchen Facilities at W.W. Knight ... ?
What amenities are included in the Hankison Great Room kitchen?
The Hankison Great Room is a serving kitchenette. It has a refrigerator/freezer and double sink. A microwave is available, but not an oven or stove. Ample outlets and countertop space are available for roasters and crock pots.
Can I use the kitchen if I have an event elsewhere in the Nature Center?
No. The kitchenette is for use for the Hankison Great Room only.
Can I bring a hot-plate, indoor grill, or Coleman stove to cook some food?
No. Please plan on cold food serving. We do not have a fire suppression system at this facility.
Do you provide cleaning supplies?
No, we do not provide dish soap, scouring pads, washcloths or towels.
What is the address for... ?
Otsego Park: 20000 West River Road, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Located at the intersection of SR 295 (Otsego Pike) and SR 65 (West River Road).
W.W. Knight Nature Center/ Hankison Great Room: 29530 White Road, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551. Located just off East River Road (SR 65). White Road runs between SR 795 and 65.
Beaver Creek Retreat Area: 23028 Long Judson Road, Grand Rapids, Ohio 43522. Located between Milton & Beaver Creek Roads.
Rudolph Civic Center: 10109 Rudolph Road, Rudolph, Ohio 43462.
Slippery Elm Trail - Cricket Frog Cove Area: Entrance is on Freyman Road, 1/2 mile west of the Slippery Elm Trail, between Rudolph and Mitchell Roads.
Slippery Elm Trail - Rudolph Savanna Parking Area: 10330 Rudolph Road, Rudolph, Ohio 43462.
I am getting married and want to preview the facility right away. When can I get in ... ?
Unfortunately, Otsego Stone Hall and the Hankison Great Room are rented quite often and neither is available for preview at a moment's notice.
- Otsego Stone Hall will be open for previewing the first Monday of the month, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. unless it is a holiday. You may call Park District Headquarters for the time of the next preview if the first Monday is a holiday.
- The Hankison Great Room will be open for previewing the first Wednesday of the month from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
- Please call Chief Ranger Todd Nofzinger at 419-575-7336 to arrange other preview times and allow a week or longer for setup of your visit.
I need an hour to two hours tops inside Otsego Stone Hall or the Hankison Great Room to measure, work with my florist, and so forth...
- We're sorry, but besides the designated preview times above, specially set previewing appointments are for 10-15 minutes at the most.
- We are trying to be as helpful as possible for renters, providing photos on this web site and measurements and other information in the Facility Amenities Chart and specific rental facility pages. If you have suggestions for information you would like to see on our site that you haven't found, please e-mail us: mstinson@wcparks.org
We recommend that only necessary people view the Hall and Great Room, such as your caterer. Please use the open previewing sessions above if at all possible. Otherwise, you will need to determine several possible dates and times that all people can come at once, and we will see if any of those dates and times are possible. During the week is better than weekends, especially May - October, when facilities are usually rented on all weekends and Rangers need to be out in the parks.
Can I just show up to view the hall at any time ... ?
No, many other groups and nature programs are already scheduled at various times throughout each week.
Can I decorate and set up tables and chairs the day before my event ... ?
Not unless you rent the facility the day before your actual event. Chances are someone may already have it reserved.
Can I get in earlier than my original meeting time ... ?
You will need to call Park District Headquarters to see if special arrangements are possible. Last minute changes to meeting times may not be feasible since we do not use keys and ranger staff must meet you to open the room. Ranger staff have many other responsibilities and follow a pre-determined schedule created the month prior after rentals are closed for the upcoming month. For Otsego Stone Hall, the earliest meet time is 10:00 a.m. For the Hankison Great Room, the earliest meet time is 9:00 a.m. There are no exceptions at this time.
Can we stay later than our original ending time ... ?
Yes, if your event runs late, the Park District will charge you $75 per any portion of an hour that your party leaves after your designated departure time. If you request a later departure time in advance (at least a month prior to your rental), we can accommodate you for $50.00 per hour up to 1:00 a.m. at both facilities.
Can I have helium balloons at my party ... ?
No, for several reasons. One is that they may catch in the fans at Otsego, causing damage.
Other Great Room/ W.W. Knight Nature Center specific questions ...
We are having a wedding and plan to use the library, LOONA or restroom as a changing room for our wedding party.
Unfortunately, these rooms are open to the public during your event and may not be used as a storage place or changing room by you or your guests.
Is the Lobby part of the Great Room, and can we use it for our event?
No, the lobby is a public space where the public may be wandering through at times. Do not set up your gift table or use any other rooms in the Nature Center for coats, etc.
How long does clean up take and what do I need to do?
The rangers will provide a check list of items that need to be completed at the end of your event. Basically, the kitchen should be clean, as well as tables and chairs. The floor does not need to be mopped or swept. However, all tables and chairs must be put away, and the trash should be removed to the outside storage units.
Can I bring the tables and chairs into the lobby from the porch?
No, they are for public use and not part of the rental agreement.
Can my guests take alcohol beverages out to the lobby and porch area and the grounds of the Preserve?
No, these areas are open to the general public during your event. However, guests may take alcohol onto the deck.
Can we leave a vehicle overnight?
You must contact the ranger and complete a waiver, otherwise the vehicle will be towed.
I would like to put skirting around the tables at WW Knight, what are the dimensions?
29 inches high and 30 inches wide with a ¾ inch lip or table top thickness.
I am having a wedding and inviting 200 guests but I only expect about 150 people to attend.
As the Great Room was used, the Park District found that the original capacity was set too large. The site capacity has been changed to 100 people. This room will not accommodate chairs, tables, a bar, dance floor and a DJ. You should only plan on 80 guests with such an arrangement. You can not extend the site capacity by adding tents, etc.
What is the table size?
We provide 8 foot rectangular tables, which are 29 inches tall and 30 inches wide with a ¾ in thickness to the table top.
Other Otsego Specific Questions
Can we bring in portable air conditioning units for our event at Otsego?
No, our electrical system may not be adequate to handle the electrical load.
The balcony area and the lower grass area at Otsego is perfect for the wedding ceremony, can I take your tables and chairs outside for seating?
No, we have a small staff and cannot clean the mud off the legs on a daily basis. If you want additional chairs for your outside event, please call a local equipment rental company.
We are having our wedding ceremony at Otsego and plan to use the Marlow River Overlook for part of our ceremony and keep all our belongings there during our event.
Unfortunately, the Marlow River Overlook is open to the public and is not part of your rental agreement. Please do not use this for your event. Your belongings will not be safe during your event if left in this room or in the public restrooms.
General Questions for Knight and Otsego
I am going to have a caterer or rental company that needs to get in the hall before I arrive, how will they get in?
We do not have employees on site, and we expect to meet you one time only, so please arrange to have all your deliveries and event personnel arrive during the rental meeting times you set. It is your responsibility to have someone you know meet deliveries or event personnel if you cannot be there. We will not make several trips to the site, nor will our staff sign for your deliveries. We will need to have the name and phone number of any commercial enterprise you hire for your event in order to discuss the event with them so that they understand our guidelines prior to the event.
I love decorations, what can I put up at our event?
You can have any free-standing decorations, but a limited amount of decorations can be attached to the building. Otsego has a few tack strips on the beams to which push-pins may be secured. No staples, tape, or nails may be used on any window or door at either facility.
I would like candles at my event, what can I have?
Please limit candles to one per table if enclosed and contained. Any wax spilled on the fireplace mantles at Otsego must be cleaned up at the end of your event.
How do I obtain a key for my event?
We do not provide keys for any event. A park employee will meet you at the prearranged time you selected upon reserving the facility and will unlock the room and provide use and departure instructions.
I will not be able to meet the park employee as originally planned. Can someone else meet them to open the facility?
As a rule, no. We need the person who reserves the facility to meet Park District personnel since the original renter needs to sign paperwork indicating that they understand park guidelines and the penalties for various infractions. After we meet you, you are responsible for meeting other commercial enterprises you have hired for your event. If several people are responsible for the event, then their names should be on the paperwork. Also, you or someone from your party must be present to sign for deliveries. Park District personnel will not do this for you.
Do you provide extension cords?
No
Do you provide utensils?
No
Do you provide table clothes?
No
My event is a little bigger than I expected and I’m worried about the amount of room I have to work with. Can I use the side storage rooms to put up my bar?
No, those areas are for storage only. Tables and chairs need to be put back after your event, and they would be placed on top of all the spilled alcohol and mixers.
I need to see how many outlets are available for our use and their locations.
There are at least two outlets per wall and should accommodate any set up you have.
Do you have a changing room for our wedding party?
No. You will need to come dressed or make arrangements to bring a motor home on site. The restrooms are open to the public, and your belongings will not be safe if left in the restrooms or anywhere outside the room that is part of your rental contract.
Can I decorate the outside of the building?
No, we do not allow nails or staples attached to our buildings or signs. The remainder of the park is open to the public and we do not want to detract from the park experience.
I have a DJ and plan to rock the house. How loud can it get?
Please remember your event may overlap the general operating hours of the park, which closes at dark. We may receive a complaint from the public, and our rangers may need to order the DJ to turn it down.
We are having a Christmas party and want a large real tree for our event.
We're sorry, but fire regulations and our insurance in a public building will not allow this type of set up.
We're having a fourth of July event or New Years Eve event and we bought fireworks to celebrate! What type do you allow?
No fireworks, loud explosions or other incendiary devices are allowed.
My caterer, sound guy or equipment rental company cannot arrive in time to pick up after our event. Can I leave equipment overnight?
No, you will lose your refundable security deposit, and the equipment will be moved outside by our staff since there is a good chance that the next day will be reserved by another group.
Can I bring a circus blow up toy for a birthday party inside the facility or leave it outside?
No, we do not want an uncontrolled playground provided by our guests..
Can I set up an extra tent for my event?
Possibly. Please contact our Chief Ranger Todd Nofzinger at tnofzinger@wcparks.org or (419) 575-7336 to discuss the reason you need it, and your suggested location.
Are there grills at Otsego? I am renting the Stone Hall and want to do a cookout.
Yes. Otsego has grills. There are two near the kitchen door between the caterer's parking lot/entrance and the building. You must bring your own charcoal.
What is the fireplace mantel size for the two fireplaces at Otsego?
9 inches by 9 inches.
Other questions?
Email mstinson@wcparks.org
Can I hold a wedding in one of your parks?
Yes. Please contact Park District Headquarters to discuss what you want to do, see if it is feasible, obtain Park permission and have it put on the schedule with the amount of people who will be attending. Please be aware that all our parks are open to the public and we cannot guarantee that the place you want in the park you want will be available and free of public traffic. We do not reserve open space.
Anyone wishing to use the back steps at Otsego for their wedding must rent the Hall as renters will have first choice of that area for their event. Otsego is one of our most popular facilities and if a rental is using the Hall for a wedding, there may be a conflict between two wedding parties. The site limit at Otsego is 120 people and that includes parking.
We want to use the Slippery Elm Trail for about 30 bikers...? Is this possible?
Yes. We request that groups of 25 or more contact Park District Headquarters to acquire a group permit and be put on our calendar. Please give us at least a month's notice and call before the 20th of the month prior. This way, we can ensure that there are no conflicts between large groups using one of our parks at the same time. We have had school groups, veterans in wheelchairs, and church groups use the Trail and other parks for events like bikathons, bike safety derbies, annual gatherings, and so forth.
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Yes. he can, but as the renter with his name on the contract he must be at the rental. He must meet the Ranger for the opening of the building and the closing. He will have to initial paperwork upon meeting the Ranger, and, he will be liable for any damage. If he asks someone to substitute for him in meeting the Ranger for the opening of the Hall, the person who substitutes for him will have to initial the paperwork at the rental and that person will be just as liable as your uncle, the actual renter. This is the reason we stipulate that the person who rents the facility (whose name is on the receipt/contract) must be the person who meets the Ranger.
Some renters who ask friends and relatives to meet the Ranger have put them in awkward positions. Please be aware that a rental involves a legal document and liability.
I can't be there for the opening of my rental - Can I have my sister meet the staff person?
Rangers are told to open the building only for the renter whose name is on the receipt/contract. If you ask someone to substitute for you in meeting the Ranger for the opening of a facility, that person will have to initial paperwork that the Ranger will have for you. This paperwork concerns important instructions about your rental as well as penalties for infractions. In signing that paperwork, the person who substitutes for you will become as liable as you, the actual renter, for the rental. This is the reason we stipulate that the person who rents the facility (whose name is on the receipt/contract) must be the person who meets the Ranger and is there at the conclusion of the event to make sure everything is in order.
Renters who ask friends and relatives to meet the Ranger put them in awkward positions. Please be aware that a rental involves a legal document and liability.
Can we leave in the middle of our rental? We want to come in, set up and decorate, and then leave for a few hours...
First of all, remember that we do not distribute keys. You can leave, but the Park District dissuades you from doing so. The Park District will not be responsible for anything you leave in the facility. It is better to leave a member of your party in the facility while you're out. If you absolutely must leave, ask the Ranger the process involved.
Other questions?
Email mstinson@wcparks.org
Revised: October 25, 2007.
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