GENERAL GUIDELINES

All proceeds benefit and support the programs and activities of John Ball Zoo and John Ball Zoo Society.

Renting rooms in the Zoo for a private function does not secure exclusive use of the entire facility; only the space rented by agreement.

Rental activities must be consistent with the mission of the Zoo as an educational and cultural institution and must not interfere with its normal public operations.

Rental activities must not endanger visitors, animals or property in the Zoo.

John Ball Zoo reserves the right to deny rental to any group deemed to be inimical to or a risk to Zoo property or interests.

All rental terms and prices are subject to change at the sole discretion of John Ball Zoo.

Events scheduled during holiday weekends and the month of December requires an additional fee.

John Ball Zoo, the BISSELL Tree House and the Ball Room are smoke-free environments.

John Ball Zoo is not responsible for any damages incurred during your rental.

John Ball Zoo is not responsible for any outside contracted services.

If you are arranging media coverage for your event, please contact Krys Bylund at(616)336-4374 or kbylund@johnbalzoosociety.org.

Additional Requirements of Use will accompany rentals for Bissell Tree House, Ball Room, and After Hours zoo rentals.

RESERVATIONS and PLANNING

Begin the reservation process by contacting our Facilities Coordinator at (616)260-9221 or facilityrental@johnballzoosociety.org.

All rentals include up to two (2) hours of consultation time. All appointments must be scheduled in advance with the Facilities Coordinator.

All reservations are confirmed by a signed contract with John Ball Zoo Society.

A single contact person (contract signer) will be the designated contact for all arrangements and only that person will be authorized to make changes to the event plan.

The BISSELL Tree house and the Ball Room are available 8:00 am to 11:00 pm daily.

After Hours Zoo Rentals are scheduled 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm daily for the months of June, July, and August.

INSURANCE

A certificate of liability insurance must be provided in the amount of $1 million for general liability for all rentals. The County of Kent and the John Ball Zoo Society must be named as additional insured.

FOOD SERVICE – PREFERRED CATERERS

Choose one of our three preferred caterers:

• Applause Catering & Events
3755 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Suite C, Grand Rapids, MI 49512, ph (616)940-0001
www.applause-catering.net

• The Catering Company
1307 East Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, ph (616)454-7475
www.thecateringcompanygr.com

• West Michigan Caterer
3361 Charlevoix Dr., SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546, ph (616)459-8150
www.westmichigancaterer.com

SET UP and DELIVERY

Set-up and tear-down must occur within the same day, beginning and ending at preapproved times, or additional hour will be charged.

All deliveries must be scheduled in advance through the facilities coordinator at (616)260-9221. There is no refrigerated space available to store flowers, cakes, etc., so please schedule deliveries accordingly.

BEVERAGE SERVICE

A John Ball Zoo preferred caterer must provide beverage service.

Food and beverages are permitted in all pre-approved areas but may not be removed from the premises.

All food and beverage sales are subject to Michigan sales tax and your caterer’s service fees.

All bars must close one half-hour before the end of the event.

SET UP and DELIVERY

Set-up and tear-down must occur within the same day, beginning and ending at pre-approved times, or additional hours will be charged.

All deliveries must be scheduled in advance through the facilities coordinator at 260-9221. There is no refrigerated space available to store flowers, cakes, etc., so please schedule deliveries accordingly.

Any items left after the event will be forfeited and removed at the client’s expense.

OUTSIDE SERVICES

All entertainment, musicians, photographers and rental equipment (tents, chairs, piano) must be approved by the facilities coordinator.

The individual, group or organization seeking use of John Ball Zoo assumes liability for damage to any of the Zoo’s exhibits or property by the lessee’s contractors (florists, musicians, rental companies, etc).

All promotional copy, invitations, flyers and other printed and electronic materials must be submitted to the facilities coordinator for approval, prior to publishing.

DECORATIONS

All decorations and lighting must be approved by the facilities coordinator.

Specific restrictions include: no open flames - candles must be enclosed in hurricane lamps or glass shields, no live animals, no balloons of any kind, no use of ladders, no rice, birdseed or flower petals, no confetti or glitter. Please do not use tape, tacks, staples, nails, screws or putty on walls or fixtures belonging to the Zoo.

Clean up and tear down of decorations, furniture or other property of the renter must be completed within the time stated in your contract or an additional fee will apply.