Cox Arboretum Rentals

For information on rental guidelines please contact the Events Coordinator at (937) 278-2657 to schedule an appointment.

Additional time is available at an hourly rate. Great Lawn wedding rentals include tent and chairs.  *Only available after 5:00pm, rates also apply for Fridays prior to and Mondays after holidays landing on a Saturday or Sunday.  Pricing subject to change without notice.  Holiday blackout dates:  New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.  Holidays available for rentals with a 20% increase (includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the holiday weekend): Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day*, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day*.

Required Fees

• Membership (tax deductible): $100
• Ranger fee if serving alcohol: $250
  • $50/hour for extended time

Extras available only in the Fifth Third Conference Center

• Microphone only: $100
• Microphone & music/sound: $150
• Microphone, music/sound & projector: $250
• Videoconference Camera: $100

Décor available

• Wooden Arch (size 8’L x 7.5’H x 22.5”W): $100

Indoor Rentals

• You receive two hours prior to your event for set up and one hour clean up time after the event. Included with your rental is the use of our round/rectangular tables and chairs.
• A 50% nonrefundable deposit is due with the signed contract to secure your reservation. The balance of the rental fee and a security deposit of $300 along with any other applicable fee(s) will be due 60 days prior to the scheduled event.
• Renting space at Cox Arboretum is a benefit of James M. Cox, Jr. Arboretum Foundation membership at the $100-Lilac level. Membership is required.
• If you are interested in having your event catered, you must use one of the approved caterers.
• Fees charged for catering are not included in the facility rental fee.
• If you plan to serve alcohol at your event, a Five Rivers MetroParks law enforcement officer must be present for the duration of the event. This requires an additional fee of $250.
• Events must end by 12:00 am (midnight) on Friday and Saturday and 11:00 pm Sunday through Thursday.

Outdoor Rentals

• Renting Space at Cox Arboretum MetroPark is a benefit of the membership at the $100-Lilac level. Membership is required.
• The ELG and Allée are reserved on a first call basis. Payment in full and the completed agreement form are required to secure your reservation.
• If you cancel your reservation, Cox Arboretum MetroPark must receive a written request no later than six months prior to the reservation date. A refund minus $100 will be refunded within 30 days. No cancellations will be refunded less than six months prior to the event.
• If you are unable to use the ELG or Allée due to weather conditions, you may request in writing a refund of 50% within 10 days following your scheduled ceremony.
• All items must be carried, and you must walk to and from the chosen site.
• Transportation is not provided to and from your event location. You and your guests must walk to and from your chosen site and you must carry any decorative or other items you plan to use.
• Chairs may be rented for use in the ELG and the Allée.
• Electricity is provided in the ELG Pavilion and Allée and music is permitted, but cannot be amplified over the entire grounds.
• No tents or any other structures are allowed beyond what is provided by the Arboretum.
• You may not attach any kind of decorations (signs, crepe paper, etc.) to Arboretum property.
• You may toss flower petals or use bubbles during your event, but NO confetti, birdseed or rice can be used. These products are detrimental to the health of our wildlife.
• Food and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the ELG and Allée.
• We cannot provide an alternate venue for use during inclement weather. As a precautionary measure, you may wish to select a back up location.

For information on rental guidelines please contact the Events Coordinator at (937) 278-2657 to schedule an appointment.

Additional time is available at an hourly rate. *Only available after 5:00pm, rates also apply for Fridays prior to and Mondays after holidays landing on a Saturday or Sunday. Pricing subject to change without notice. Holiday blackout dates: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Holidays available for rentals with a 20% increase (includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the holiday weekend): Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Independence Day*, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day*.

Required Fees

• Ranger fee if serving alcohol: $250
  • $50/hour for extended time

Extras available only in the Fifth Third Conference Center

• Microphone only: $100
• Microphone & music/sound: $150
• Microphone, music/sound & projector: $250
• Teleconference phone: $100

Corporate Guidelines

• Events after 5 PM include two hours prior to your event for set up and one hour clean up time after the event. Included with your rental is the use of our round/rectangular tables and chairs.
• Weekday rentals eight hours includes set up time.
• A 50% nonrefundable deposit is due with the signed contract to secure your reservation. The balance of the rental fee and a security deposit of $300 along with any other applicable fee(s) will be due 60 days prior to the scheduled event.
• If you are interested in having your event catered, you must use one of the approved caterers.
• Box lunches, drinks, and snacks may be brought in for daytime business rentals.
• Fees charged for catering are not included in the facility rental fee.
• If you plan to serve alcohol at your event, a Five Rivers MetroParks law- enforcement officer must be present for the duration of the event.  This requires an additional fee of $250.
• Events must end by 12:00 am (midnight) on Friday and Saturday and 11:00 pm Sunday through Thursday.
• Nonprofits receive a 50% discount on rentals, no other discounts apply.  Must provide a copy of the IRS 501c3 approval letter.
• All items must be carried, and you must walk to and from the chosen site.
• Transportation is not provided to and from your event location.  You and your guests must walk to and from your chosen site and you must carry any decorative or other items you plan to use.
• Electricity is available for the Great Lawn and music is permitted, but cannot be amplified over the entire grounds.
• No tents or any other structures are allowed beyond what is provided by the Arboretum.
• You may not attach any kind of decorations (signs, crepe paper, etc.) to Arboretum property.

When food and/or beverages are a component of an approved event, use of one of our approved caterers is required.

Approved vendors:

• Bernstein’s Fine Catering (937) 898-2761
• Brock Masterson’s Catering (937) 298-1234
• Elite Catering (937) 559-4590
• El Meson Catering (937) 859-8229
• Kohler Catering (937) 291-3600
• Little Miami River Catering (937) 848-2464
• Mrs. B’s Catering (937) 676-2883
• Rich Taste Catering (937) 524-5103

Fees charged for catering are not included in the facility rental fee and are to be obtained directly from the caterer. Please contact our approved caterers for specific information. The catering agreement is separate from the rental contract. The grounds and buildings including the kitchen facilities are not available for food preparation and storage by groups or individuals. No grills or open fires are permitted on the grounds. The caterer is responsible for setup and cleanup for all events or rentals in which they provide service.

Boxed lunches, bottled or canned drinks and snacks may be brought in for daytime business rentals. This must be approved by the Building Manager or Events Coordinator prior to the event. The renter is responsible for all cleanup when this option is used.

Alcoholic Beverages
The sale, consumption or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited unless specifically permitted by the Director of Five Rivers MetroParks. The purchase of alcoholic beverages must be coordinated through the caterer. If such approval is granted, it is required that the caterer and all groups or individuals abide by all current Ohio liquor laws and assume all responsibility for violations of said laws. Serving of alcohol will terminate no less than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled event ending time. The caterer or MetroParks law enforcement or staff reserve the right to refrain from serving any individual based on behavior or actions related to intoxication or suspected intoxication.

Events with alcohol as a component will require the presence of a Five Rivers MetroParks’ law enforcement office for the duration of the event. This requires an additional fee of $230. Alcohol is to be confined to the rental area(s) and must not leave the premises. The renter is responsible for assuring guests arrive home safely.

Fundraising events with an admission charge in which alcohol will be served or sold at a cash bar must have a liquor permit and liability insurance. A copy of the permit and insurance certificate must be on file at Cox Arboretum no later than one (1) week prior to the event date. Failure to have this information will result in the absence of alcohol during the event. The renter is required to abide by all current Ohio liquor laws and assume all responsibility for violations of said laws.

Can I provide my own alcohol?
Yes, however, a ranger will need to be onsite, which is an additional fee, and the caterer will provide a bartender.

What is your tech package?
For an additional fee, we have a projection system, bose speakers, wireless handheld microphone and a clip on microphone.

Is there internet access?
Yes, there is free public wifi in the buildings, no password required.

Are there hotels nearby?
Springhill Suites is the closest, less than 1 mile south.

Can we have a wedding rehearsal?
A one hour rehearsal is included in the outdoor ceremony venue rental and the indoor venue allows for a one hour rehearsal when schedule permits during the weekday 4 – 5 pm.

Is the venue ADA compliant?
We are proud to say all venues are fully ADA accessible.

Can we use confetti, glitter or sparklers?
No use of confetti, glitter or sparklers are allowed.

Are you able to coordinate our wedding or oversee the details?
Your Cox Arboretum team is dedicated to making sure the venue is in perfect condition and your vendors have access to what they need. We could never replace the nuance and detail that an event coordinator or planner offers for each individual wedding and we strongly suggest adding one to your wedding team.

Are candles, Chinese lanterns, or luminaries allowed?
We do not permit candles, Chinese lanterns, or luminaries.

Who will be there the day of my event?
The Cox Arboretum Event Facilitator and a ranger if alcohol is served.

What address should I put on my invitation?
6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton, Ohio 45449

Can I get ready at Cox Arboretum?
We do not have the full accommodations for hair and make-up that a hotel or home would have; however, we offer spaces for an additional fee, $100 for two hours, for you to get ready.

How many hours is the rental?
For an indoor event the event time is 4 hours, two hours before is set up time, and one hour after is for clean up and tear down. For ceremonies indoors or outdoors the rental time is two hours and also includes a one hour rehearsal.

Can I purchase additional hours?
Yes, for the indoor venues each additional hour is $300 and if a ranger is onsite an additional $50 per hour for the ranger fee.

Are there other fees?
When booking an indoor location, a $100 membership to the Cox Arboretum Foundation is required. The rental program is managed by the Foundation and all the money paid comes back to the Arboretum for special projects and programs.

Is the park open during my event?
The outdoor park is open to the public May – October 31 from 8 am – 10 pm and November 1 – April 30 8 am – 8 pm. The Visitor Center is open 8 am – 5 pm weekdays and 11 am – 4 pm weekends.

Do you provide chairs for the ceremony sites outdoors?
No, we do allow you to provide your own chairs or work with a rental company to provide.

What is included in the indoor facilities?
Tables and chairs.