Mills Education Center Holiday Baking Kitchen Rental — Terms & Conditions
By submitting a reservation for the Mills Education Center Holiday Baking Kitchen, the renter acknowledges and agrees to the following terms and conditions.
1. Rental Purpose & Eligibility
The Holiday Baking Kitchen is intended primarily for personal and recreational holiday baking. The kitchen may be rented by individuals, families, or friends baking together.
The primary renter must be at least 18 years of age and is responsible for all members of their rental party and guests.
Commercial or business-related use may be permitted at the discretion of LC Nature Park and may require additional documentation, insurance, waivers, or liability requirements.
2. Rental Dates & Hours
Holiday Baking Kitchen rentals are available from mid-November through December 23, during designated rental dates and times.
* Rental hours are 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
* The minimum rental period is 2 hours
* The maximum rental period is 8 hours
* Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday are unavailable for rental.
* Renters may only access the kitchen during their scheduled rental period.
Renters who arrive late will not receive additional time at the end of their reservation unless additional time is available and approved by LC Nature Park. Late arrival does not reduce the rental fee.
3. Rental Rates & Payment
The standard rental rate is $30 per hour. LC Nature Park members receive a discounted rate of $20 per hour.
Half-day and full-day rental rates are:
* Half Day: $100
* Full Day: $200
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve the kitchen. The remaining balance is due on the day of the rental.
Rental time is not prorated. If a renter uses the kitchen for more than 15 minutes beyond their scheduled rental period, they will be charged for the full additional hour.
4. Cancellation Policy
Reservations may be cancelled without additional charges if cancellation is received at least 24 hours before the scheduled rental. The 50% booking deposit remains non-refundable.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled rental, or failure to appear for a reservation, will result in the renter being charged the full rental amount.
5. Additional Rental Time & Overtime
Renters may request additional rental time if the kitchen is available.
Additional time will be charged at the standard hourly rental rate. If a renter remains in the kitchen beyond their scheduled rental time without prior approval:
* During regular rental hours, if there is no scheduling conflict, additional time will be charged at the standard hourly rate.
* If the renter remains past 6:00 p.m., the additional time will be charged at twice the standard hourly rate.
* If the renter remains beyond their scheduled time and another reservation or scheduling commitment is affected, the additional time will be charged at twice the standard hourly rate.
Additional rental time is billed in full-hour increments. Use of the kitchen for more than 15 minutes beyond the scheduled rental period will result in a charge for the full additional hour.
6. Exclusive Use & Access
The renter and their approved guests will have exclusive use of the kitchen during their scheduled rental period.
The rental does not include access to other areas of the Mills Education Center or LC Nature Park, except for designated restrooms.
No more than four (4) people total may be in the kitchen at any time. This includes the renter, adult guests, and children.
Children under 18 are permitted but must remain under the direct supervision of an adult at all times.
All renters and guests must complete any required liability waiver before entering or using the kitchen.
7. Kitchen Equipment & Supplies
The rental includes use of the kitchen's available equipment and basic baking supplies, which may include:
* Two kitchen islands
* KitchenAid stand mixers
* Two double ovens
* Eight-plus-burner gas range
* Refrigerator
* Microwave
* Dishwasher
* Sink
* Mixing bowls
* Cookie sheets and basic baking pans
* Other basic kitchen and baking equipment designated by LC Nature Park
Availability of specific equipment or supplies is not guaranteed unless specifically identified by LC Nature Park in advance.
Renters are responsible for providing their own:
* Ingredients
* Disposable supplies
* Specialty baking equipment and tools
* Food storage containers
* Decorating supplies
* Any other items needed for their specific baking project
Renters may use designated refrigerator space during their rental period.
Food may not be left overnight unless the renter has booked qualifying back-to-back rental periods, such as two consecutive full-day rentals or a full-day rental followed by a half-day rental.
8. Kitchen Rules
To protect the kitchen, staff, and other users of the Mills Education Center, renters agree to follow all posted and provided kitchen rules.
The following are prohibited:
* Alcohol
* Pets or animals, except as otherwise required by law
* Open flames other than the kitchen's provided gas cooking equipment
* Access to areas of the building outside of the kitchen and designated restrooms
* More than four people in the kitchen
* Excessive noise or music
Music is permitted at a normal, reasonable volume. The Mills Education Center contains LC Nature Park offices, and renters must not create noise that disrupts staff working in the building.
Renters must follow all instructions provided by LC Nature Park staff regarding the safe operation and use of kitchen equipment.
9. Cleaning & Checkout
Renters are responsible for returning the kitchen to the condition in which they found it.
Before leaving, renters must complete all items on the provided cleaning and supply checklist, which may include:
* Washing all used dishes, cookware, utensils, and equipment by hand as directed
* Drying items completely
* Returning all items to their designated locations
* Cleaning countertops and work surfaces
* Cleaning the stovetop and other equipment used
* Cleaning any spills or messes created during the rental
* Properly disposing of trash
* Removing personal belongings and food
* Completing any other cleaning tasks identified by LC Nature Park staff
Staff will inspect the kitchen at the conclusion of the rental.
If the required cleaning has not been completed, LC Nature Park reserves the right to charge the payment card on file a cleaning fee of up to $100, depending on the condition of the kitchen.
10. Damage & Loss
The renter is responsible for damage to the Mills Education Center, kitchen, appliances, equipment, furnishings, or supplies caused by the renter or members of their rental party or guests.
LC Nature Park reserves the right to charge the payment card on file for the cost of repairing or replacing damaged or lost property.
LC Nature Park staff will determine whether a charge is appropriate and may waive charges when staff determine that damage was not caused by the renter or their party.
Renters must immediately notify LC Nature Park staff of any damaged, broken, or malfunctioning equipment.
11. Safety & Emergency Procedures
Renters must use all kitchen equipment responsibly and follow instructions provided by LC Nature Park staff.
Renters must immediately report any accident, injury, fire, equipment malfunction, or other emergency to LC Nature Park staff.
LC Nature Park reserves the right to end a rental immediately if a renter or guest engages in unsafe, disruptive, or prohibited behavior.
No refund will be provided for a rental terminated because of a renter's violation of these terms and conditions.
12. LC Nature Park Right to Cancel
LC Nature Park reserves the right to cancel or modify a rental due to unforeseen circumstances, building or equipment issues, weather, emergencies, or other circumstances that may affect the safety or operation of the Mills Education Center.
If LC Nature Park cancels a reservation, the renter will receive a refund of payments made to LC Nature Park for the cancelled rental.
13. Acknowledgment
By submitting this reservation, the renter confirms that they have read and agree to these Terms & Conditions and understand that:
* The kitchen is available only during the renter's scheduled time.
* The rental is limited to four people total.
* All guests must comply with applicable rules and complete any required waiver.
* The renter is responsible for cleaning the kitchen and returning all supplies and equipment to their proper locations.
* The renter may be charged for excessive cleaning, damage, loss, or unauthorized use of additional rental time.
* The renter and their guests may not access areas of the Mills Education Center outside of the kitchen and designated restrooms.
* The renter is responsible for supervising any children in their party.
* Submission of a rental request does not guarantee a reservation until the request has been confirmed by LC Nature Park and the required deposit has been received.
By checking the box below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the Mills Education Center Holiday Baking Kitchen Rental Terms & Conditions.
