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Mount Pisgah Arboretum is the perfect venue for...
- Weddings and commitment ceremonies: we welcome all couples!
- Conferences and retreats
- Memorials and celebrations of life
- Reunions
- Parties, picnics, and family gatherings
Click for photos of our rental facilities or a blueprint of the White Oak Pavilion.
Mount Pisgah Arboretum’s beautiful White Oak Pavilion is a 3,000 square foot building with large wooden sliding doors that open on all sides to reveal the peaceful scenery and oak savannah landscapes of the Arboretum. The building is easily accessible to caterers, musicians, and guests. Pavilion rental includes eight hour use of the building and the surrounding lawn, an oak grove ceremony site for weddings during the summer, electricity, running water, access to restrooms, indoor tables and folding chairs to seat 200, outdoor picnic tables, and a separate changing area for brides. Our staff supplies the essentials, leaving you free to create your dream ceremony or reception. Our venue is ideal for the couple who seek a meaningful and beautiful wedding with a strong connection to nature, and who care about comfort and accessibility for their loved ones. Wedding rates range from $1000 to $1500 in 2010. Special rates are available for memorials and nonprofit groups.
Consider booking well in advance; our lovely White Oak Pavilion hosts weddings and other events almost every weekend during the summer.
The Arboretum is open from dawn to dusk every day of the year, and you are welcome to visit the Pavilion to take a look; please be respectful of school groups and special events and do not enter the building when it is in use. Check out our rental and rates information below for more information, then call or email our Site Rentals Coordinator at (541)747-1504 or mtpisgjp@efn.org to check availability.
Planning a picnic or a less formal event? Take a look at our uncovered picnic area, which you can reserve for $50 plus $1 per person. We also offer our Oak Grove ceremony site and Picnic Area together for $250, which is a great option for a beautiful, natural wedding and small reception.
Click on our Picnic Area Rental Form for more information. Call or email for availability; the Picnic Area and Oak Grove may be available in the morning, even when the Pavilion is reserved in the afternoon.
White Oak Pavilion Rental Rates and Information
RENTAL RATES: Peak Rental Times: $1,500 - weekends (Friday through Sunday) from May 1st - October 31st.
Non-Peak Rental Times: $1,000 - any day Monday through Thursday, and November 1st - April 30th.
Non-profit use: $400; available during non-peak rental times, or peak times within 30 days of the event.
Memorials: $300; this rate is available within 30 days of the memorial date.
RENTAL TIMES: 2pm - 10pm (includes set-up and clean-up time). Depending on availability, you can purchase additional setup time for $150 per hour. Morning events can be scheduled by special arrangement.
INCLUDED IN RENTAL: Use of the White Oak Pavilion, the Outdoor Terrace and Courtyard, the grassy area surrounding the building, a bridal room, tables and light-brown chairs to seat 200 (set-up not included), banquet tables, moveable picnic tables that seat up to 65 people, 8 movable wooden benches, an Oak Grove Ceremony Site accommodating up to 200 people (available July 1st - Sept. 30th only) a one-hour wedding rehearsal, electricity, refridgerator and sink and restrooms.
Rental Application
Ready to rent?
If you have already called the Site Rentals Coordinator and put a tentative hold on your favorite date, you can download our application as a pdf here.
The Small Print (Costs, Extras, Rules and Regulations)
REHEARSALS: You may have a one-hour wedding rehearsal either in the Pavilion or in the Great Meadow or Oak Grove. Please schedule that time with our site rental coordinator.
SUMMER CAMP: During July and August, the Arboretum hosts a summer day camp Monday through Friday for 5 weeks.
SITE REVIEW: A one-hour site review with the Site Manager or Reservations Coordinator must take place 2 to 4 weeks before your event to discuss logistical issues regarding set-up and site use. Site Reviews are held on Wednesdays at 4pm.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENT: Renters must provide proof of insurance, or purchase coverage from the Arboretum for $95.
RENTAL DEPOSIT: Half of rental price is due with application. Reservation date is secured upon receipt of application and deposit. The balance of the rental fee is due one month prior to your event.
CLEANING DEPOSIT: A fully refundable $350 cleaning and damage deposit is required for all Pavilion events; we will hold a credit card number and charge it only if necessary. Please see the “Rules and Regulations” for what is expected regarding post-event clean-up. Note: The rental deposit and the cleaning deposit are separate: please pay your rental deposit by check, or by credit card over the phone or at the office, and provide a credit card number for your cleaning deposit. The $350 cleaning deposit will not be charged to your card unless your event incurs cleaning or damage charges.
CANCELLATIONS AND DATE CHANGES: Rental deposits are non-refundable if an event is cancelled and the date is not re-booked. The Arboretum cannot guarantee that a date will be re-booked by a new renter. If the date is re-booked, the rental deposit will be refunded minus a $150 processing fee. Renters who wish to change their rental date after paying the rental deposit must pay a $150 date change fee. This $150 date change fee is in addition to their rental deposit. Allow 30 days for processing of refund if a cancelled date is re-booked.
PARKING FEES: Lane County Parks parking passes are required all year. The cost of passes (currently $2 per car) is not included in the rental fee. You may purchase parking passes in advance by giving the Site Rentals Coordinator a separate check made out to Lane County Parks. You only pay for the parking passes that you use. Rangers enforce the fees by patrolling the lots - EVERY CAR IN THE LOT NEEDS A PASS.
EXTRAS: For an additional fee of $200, the Arboretum will provide and set up 18 globe paper lanterns that are hung from the rafters. Two patio-style standing propane heaters are available for $40 each. Extra time may be available for $150 per hour. If you wish to rent extras, the charge for those items will be due with the balance of your rental fee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Site Rentals
Securing Your Reservation…
How do I secure my reservation?
We can hold your desired date for you for two weeks without an application or deposit. To hold a reservation permanently, you must pay a deposit (which is half of the rental fee). The deposit is non-refundable, unless your date is booked by someone else. The balance is due one month before the event.
Parking Passes…
Are parking passes required for my guests?
Yes, parking passes are required year-round. Everyone who enters the park must purchase a $2 Lane County Parks parking pass, regardless of his or her purpose in the Arboretum. (i.e. – those with a reservation party helping with set-up still need a pass.) Those without parking passes risk getting a large fine, imposed by rangers who patrol the park. You can buy passes from the site rental coordinator ahead of time, and return unused passes for a refund. Some people mail passes to their guests ahead of time, and some have a member of their party hand them out to arriving guests. You can also buy passes one at a time from the machine on the entry road.
Why aren’t parking passes included in the rental fee?
Mount Pisgah Arboretum is a private, non-profit organization that leases land from Lane County. Therefore, we do not charge the parking fees, but visitors to the Arboretum are subject to paying them.
White Oak Pavilion Use and Tables and Chairs…
What is the maximum occupancy of the White Oak Pavilion?
200.
Do we have to pay extra to use the oak grove ceremony site?
If you are renting the Pavilion, use of the grove is free. If you are not renting the Pavilion, you can rent the picnic area and oak grove for $250. Our oak grove is available July 1st through November 1st; outside of that time, the area is reserved for plant and animal habitat.
Do we have to remove our own trash and recycling?
The Arboretum provides two 50 gallon trash cans and two 50 gallon recycling bins, and will take care of waste left in those bins. You are responsible for removing garbage in excess of that. You are required to pick up any garbage from the Pavilion and dispose of it in the proper receptacles. Any excessive clean-up required by Arboretum staff will result in a charge to your cleaning deposit (this includes picking up confetti).
How many tables and chairs does Mount Pisgah Arboretum provide, free of charge, to accommodate my guests?
The Arboretum provides seven wooden picnic tables to accommodate up to about 65 people. The Arboretum also has 25 round plastic folding tables (5 feet/60 inches in diameter) and 200 taupe folding chairs that accommodate 200 people. You may also use our eight 6-foot long and seven 8-foot long rectangular tables for your food, drinks, cake, DJ's, gifts, etc. We do not supply linens. Parties to Go (in Eugene, (541)485-5587) has delivered to the Arboretum in the past and is familiar with our policies. Renters are responsible for setting up and taking down furniture, which is left in a storage room at the Pavilion.
Our rental company can only pick up our linens and dishes the following morning; is this allowed? Do we need to be concerned about theft or vandalism?
Items that are rented from outside companies may be left in the Pavilion overnight, provided they are picked up by 9:00 am the following morning. Although the Arboretum is not liable for anything left overnight, theft or vandalism in the Pavilion has not been a problem in the past.
What other extras are available?
The Arboretum can provide white globe hanging lanterns for $200 ($100 for half the building), and two patio-style propane heaters for $40 each.
Can we get extra rental time to set up early or end late?
Our Pavilion custodian crew usually cleans the building from 9am to noon in the morning before each event. We ask renters to begin setup at 2pm, in case the cleaning takes longer than anticipated. However, if there is no event booked for the preceding day, you may rent extra setup time at a rate of $150 per hour. Guests should leave your event by 10pm, but you can clean up quietly after 10pm with no extra charge.
Are grills allowed at the Arboretum?
Propane and gas grills are permitted (no charcoal or fire). These must be used on the cement/rock surrounding the Pavilion, and not on the grass.
Is alcohol allowed?
You may serve beer, wine, or liquor to your guests. No special permit or server is required, since your event will be covered by your homeowner’s insurance (with liquor liability) or by the Arboretum’s insurance. When serving drinks, please remember that your guests may have a long, dark drive ahead of them.
Can we drive up to the White Oak Pavilion or to the Ceremony Site?
Yes, you can drive to the White Oak Pavilion during set-up. You may also drop off near your Ceremony Site if any guests have special needs or difficulty walking. There are two handicapped parking spaces at the Pavilion. Once set-up and/or drop-off is complete, please move cars back to the parking lot, except for cars with handicapped parking placards.
Will we have access to water and electricity?
Yes, there are 13 electrical outlets inside the building, and outlets on the four corners of the building outside. There are four potable water spouts, one outdoor sink, one indoor sink with counters, and a sink in each of the two rest rooms.
Meeting with Arboretum Staff…
When can I meet with Arboretum staff to discuss any questions or concerns?
Once applicants have secured their reservation with a deposit, they must schedule a time for a half-hour Site Review with the Site Manager and/or Site Reservations Coordinator. This is the time to ask specific site-related questions that event organizers, caterers or other event organizers may have concerning set-up and other event details. Please come to this meeting prepared with how many people will be attending, and the name and contact information of caterers, musicians, and other service providers. Please provide contact information for the overall event organizer and a contact person who could be reached the day of the event if needed. Site Reviews are held Wednesdays at 4pm. Please schedule your Site Review for about 1 month prior to your event. Feel free to call or email the site rentals coordinator with questions any time, or to schedule a tour of the site. Also, please feel free to visit the site on your own, but do not disturb other events or enter the building when it is being used for events, camp, or school group lunches.
Accommodations…
Are there rest rooms on site?
Yes, there are four flush toilets in rest rooms at the Pavilion, as well as two public rest rooms west of the building.
For weddings, is there an area for the bride to change?
Yes, there is a bride's room at the Pavilion, complete with a mirror and furniture.
Are the grounds lit?
The Pavilion and the bathrooms are both very well lit. There is no lighting on the paths back to the parking lot, so you may want to bring a few flashlights for escorting guests to their cars in the dark, unlit lot. You may also wish to bring Christmas lights to string along the paths.
Is theft a concern in the Arboretum?
In the past, automobile break-ins have been a problem. They have significantly declined in recent years, thanks to patrols by rangers enforcing the parking fee and our new Park Watch Volunteer Program. However, it is still best to never leave valuables in your vehicle.
Should I be concerned with the general public interfering with my event?
The Arboretum is a public place, so there will be people here enjoying nature and using the rest rooms and parking lot until dusk. However, we have found that the public is very respectful of weddings and does not interfere. We also
post signs explaining that there is a wedding in progress.
Rules and Regulations for Group Activities
Mount Pisgah Arboretum is dedicated to public enjoyment of its natural beauty and cultivated plantings. In keeping with our purpose, we ask groups to follow these regulations:
1. Do not litter. This includes confetti, rice, birdseed, petals, and plant materials from bouquets.
2. Garbage and recycling cans are provided for your convenience. The Arboretum provides two 50-gallon trash cans and two 50-gallon recycling bins; take garbage in excess of this with you. Please put trash and recycling into their proper receptacles; if the Arboretum has to sort garbage and recycling, you will be charged $50.
3. Please park in designated parking area. Delivery vehicles may drive to the Pavilion area before and after an event, but no cars are to be left at the Pavilion for the duration of your event, except for catering vehicles with a Pavilion Parking Permit.
4. Do not staple/tack/nail anything into the wood of the Pavilion. Only easily removable adhesive putty, tape, or string should be used to hang decorations. Anything left behind, or any damage to the wood, will result in a charge to your Cleaning & Damage Deposit. You may use plant material to decorate, but do not bring invasive plants into the Arboretum. If you have questions about invasive plants, contact Site Manager Tom LoCascio at (541) 954-5463.
5. Groups are welcome to rearrange tables and other equipment, but should return them to their former positions before leaving.
6. Amplified and live music is allowed as long as it does not disrupt other visitors; please remember that this is a place where people come to enjoy nature.
7. Group activities are to be confined to the area reserved. However, group members and guests are welcome to walk the trails and enjoy the Arboretum. Because trails are narrow and vegetation fragile, please keep walking groups small and be careful not to trample trail-side vegetation. Children must be supervised and are not allowed in the stream or near the river.
8. Fire, firearms, barbecues and grills are strictly prohibited. Exception: Propane or gas grills used on rocky gravel outside building. During fire season (usually July - Sept.), smoking may also be prohibited except inside cars.
9. Dogs, except for guide dogs, are not permitted at group activities.
10. The Arboretum does not permit active sports that may be damaging to the site or disturbing to others.
11. Bicycles, motor vehicles and horses are prohibited within the Arboretum. Foot traffic and wheel chairs only on the trails please.
12. All plants and wildlife are protected. Please do not pick, dig, move or disturb them.
Thank you for considering Mount Pisgah Arboretum for your special event! Please call or email Peg, our Site Rentals Coordinator, to find out more. Her phone number is (541) 747-1504 (office hours are 10am-4pm weekdays), and her email is mtpisgjp@efn.org.
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