Rentals
Mills Education Center Rentals
LC Nature Park’s historic Mills Education Center is available for corporate, educational, and select personal-use rentals. While the Mills Education Center is not available for private parties, birthdays, weddings, or other general personal events, we offer seasonal opportunities for individuals and small groups to enjoy the space in unique ways—such as our Holiday Baking Kitchen rental.
Corporate Rentals
The Mills Education Center provides a unique setting for businesses and organizations looking to host team meetings, client meetings, retreats, trainings, or other business-related activities. Corporate rentals accommodate groups of up to 50 people and provide an opportunity to meet and connect in a beautiful natural setting. Corporate rentals are intended for business purposes and do not include large staff or family celebrations requiring additional rentals, outside vendors, or other event infrastructure.
Rates and Hours
Business:
- First 2 hours (minimum) $1,000
- Each additional hour $375
- Not to exceed 8 hours
Non-profit/501(c)3:
- First 2 hours (minimum) $500
- Each additional hour $200
- Not to exceed 8 hours
- Must provide a copy of IRS determination letter.
Hours:
- Weekdays January through December
- Weekends November through March
Contact:
Send an email to Rentals@lcnaturepark.org or call us at 260-999-3153 ext. 1
Education & Community
Looking for a place for your club, troop, or community group to gather? The Mills Education Center is available for small-group meetings, including book clubs, garden clubs, scout troops, and other local organizations. Rentals are available for up to two hours and can be combined with a private park tour for a fun and educational group experience.
Rates:
- First hour (minimum): $15/person
- Each Additional Hour: $5/person
- Not to exceed 3 hours
- If adding on to safari bus or hike tour first hour is reduced to $10/person.
Hours:
- Weekdays 9 am-7 pm year round
- Times available will fluxuate based on park activities like field trips, events, and camp
- We do not offer this type of rental on the weekends
Contact:
Send an email to Rentals@lcnaturepark.org or call us at 260-999-3153 ext. 1
Community Program Partnerships
Have a class, workshop, or educational program you’d like to bring to LC Nature Park? We partner with local professionals to offer engaging experiences such as cooking classes, yoga, meditation, painting, nature talks, and other educational programs. Programs should align with the park’s mission and provide a meaningful experience for the community; fundraising and political events are not eligible.
Rates:
- We work with you to decide how to sell tickets and can do either flat fees or split a percentage of ticket sales
- You will be required to sign a partnership and/or program agreement with LC Nature Park
Hours:
- We will work with you to pick a date and time that work for all parties
- LC Nature Park’s calendar fills quickly, please reach out far enough in advance to secure your date/time and provide time for advertising and ticket sales.
Contact:
Annika Rae, Programs Manager
Annika@lcnaturepark.org
Holiday Baking Kitchen Rentals
Make your holiday baking a little more special by gathering your friends or family at LC Nature Park’s fully equipped kitchen. With spacious work areas, stand mixers, double ovens, and a large gas range, the Holiday Baking Kitchen is a fun and convenient place to tackle your seasonal baking together. Rentals are available for groups of up to four people from mid-November through December 23.
Rates:
- $30/hour (w/ 2 hour minimum)
- Half day (4 hours) $100
- Full day (8 hours) $200
- Member rate $20/hour
- 50% deposit required upon booking
Other Information:
- Must be 18 years or older to rent
- Maximum of 4 people allowed per rental
- No ingredients or disposable items are provided
- Rentals must occur on weekdays between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm
- Additional fees may apply if you do not clean the space, you break equipment, or if baking with intent to sell for a profit
Weddings, Birthday Parties, & Other Private Rentals
At this time, LC Nature Park is unable to accommodate private events such as weddings, birthday parties, showers, or other personal celebrations. Local zoning regulations restrict the use of the Mills Education Center for these types of events. We appreciate your understanding and invite you to explore our other rental and partnership opportunities.
Included in Rentals & Add-Ons
All rentals include:
- Use of the Mills Education Center
- Kitchen
- Tables and chairs
- TV/AV set-up
Available add-ons:
- Campfire- $75/hour (minimum of 2 hrs)
- Safari bus tour- holds 12 people, 1 hr/ trip, $180/trip
- Educational hike- 1.5 hr hike w/ trained guide, limit 15 ppl/group, $150/hike
- Educational presentation- 30 min presentation about native plats, animals, geology, and history, $75
- Hands-on wildlife interaction package- edcuational presentation from Indiana Wild, prices range from $325-500 depending on the request
- Games- yard games set up by staff, $50
Please note: there is no A/C in the Mills Education Center.
Ready to Book?
or just have questions?
Policies
Payment
- A non-refundable deposit is due upon signing.
- The remaining balance is to be paid 30 days prior to the event.
Use of Property
- Subletting or transferring this agreement is not allowed.
- Weddings, birthday parties, and other personal events are prohibited per local zoning laws.
Damages & Cleaning
- A damage deposit is not required; however, Lessee will be responsible for the cost of any damages incurred during the event.
- All rentals over 2 hours will need to pay for a cleaning service to come in after their rental. LC Nature Park will bill the Lessee for this service.
Cancellation Policy
- The deposit is non-refundable in case of cancellation.
- If canceled within 2 weeks before the rental period, 50% of the total rental will be refunded. If canceled 2-weeks or under, the total rental fee is forfeited.
Liability & Insurance
- The Lessee is liable for any accidents, injuries, or damages during the rental period.
- The Lessee must obtain a Certificate of Insurance (COI), which is required to name LC Nature Park as an additional insured party. Minimum Coverage Amount: $500,000 or $1,000,000 if alcohol is to be served.
- Alcohol must be purchased by and served by a bartender licensed in the State of Indiana. Please provide a copy of the license when paying for the event. BYOB is not permitted.
Mills Education Center Rules
- All rentals will be accompanied by an LC Nature Park representative, who will deliver a brief welcome message and speak on the park’s mission.
- This is a smoke-free facility, no smoking is permitted on the LCNP park grounds or buildings.
- No pets permitted.
- Please plan to leave at the appointed time of departure.
- Any decoration must be approved prior to booking.
- Please include set-up time in your rental time periods. Extra time to set-up before the rental times will not be permitted.
- All items brought in by the Lessee for the rental must be removed from the premises the day of the rental, except where prior permission has been granted. Lessee should have the facility cleared within an hour of the event ending.
- Last calls will be at least 15 minutes prior to the event ending time.
Bonfires must be tended by LCNP staff.
All visitors wishing to go past the Mills Education Center/Discovery Area boundary must be accompanied by an LC Nature Park representative.
All children must be supervised by an accompanying adult.
Please stay more than 3 feet from all fences when in the park and respect all private property. The bison and elk are wild, and their behavior can be unpredictable.
Wipe down countertops with the cleaning supplies under the sink, sweep around the kitchen with a broom and pan, and take all accumulated trash and trash cans to the dumpster located behind the grain bin.
This is a nature preserve governed by conservation easements. Please do not pick flowers or remove anything from the park.
Ready to Book?
or just have questions?