The Licking Park District has just what you are looking for! All you have to do is provide the food and fun and we take care of the rest. No hassles and you don't have to worry about your favorite carpet getting ruined. There is plenty of space to spread out and with playground equipment, volleyball courts, a basketball court, multipurpose field, Mirror Lake, over fourteen miles of hiking/horseback riding trails, and a nature center you don't have to worry about keeping everyone entertained.
If you would like to hold a meeting or family function and would like a little more than the basics, the James E. Bradley Center at Infirmary Mound Park is for you. The building is enclosed with an attached screened porch that allows your group to stretch out if needed. The center includes heating or air conditioning, a kitchen complete with stove, sinks, refrigerator and counter space. Indoor restrooms round out the amenities. Eight six foot round tables and two eight foot rectangular tables provide seating for approximately 90 people and an additional twelve picnic tables on the screened porch provides another 90 seats. Smoking is not permitted in the building. Alcohol is not permitted in the parks. A Nature Stone floor that is clean and appealing was installed in 2003.
We ensure that the building is cleaned before each use and once again greet you to make sure that you get settled in. We do ask that you remove any tape, decorations, and large pieces of trash and place them in the waste cans. We take care of the rest. The fee for the building is based upon the number in your party and ranges from $100.00 to $200.00 per day. If you have a large group and want additional space, Shelter #2, which is adjacent to the Senior Building, may be used as well. Please keep in mind that this shelter is available only on a first come first serve basis and can not be reserved.
Four shelter houses at Infirmary Mound Park and two at Taft Reserve are reservable on weekends and holidays only from May through October. A $25.00 nonrefundable fee permits you to use your shelter house from 8:30 a.m. until dark. Shelter houses have seating for approximately 110 people and include potable water, playground equipment, volleyball courts, and ample parking. Electricity is available for an additional $10.00 fee. All shelters except for shelter house #4 have primitive restroom facilities. A basketball court can be found adjacent to shelter #3. We ensure that your shelter is cleaned before your reservation and even greet you when you arrive to make sure that everything is okay. After your event, all we ask is that you remove all decorations, tape, etc. that you may have put up and place all large pieces of trash into the shelter's waste cans. Our staff will do the rest.
Two smaller shelter houses are available at the south entrance of Taft Reserve behind the William C. Kraner Nature Center. The shelters come with picnic tables, grills and access to restrooms when the nature center is open. These are perfect for smaller families who do not need a large shelter house as they can hold up to 15 people. The fee is $10.00 per weekend day or holiday. They are open on a first come first serve basis through the week.
The William Center Nature Center is located at 10380 Fairview approximately five miles southeast of Newark. The nature center serves as the gateway to the southern entrance of Taft Reserve. The nature center conference room offers an excellent site for small group functions such as meetings or small family gatherings with an added benefit, the great outdoors. There is plenty of open space around the building to stretch out or if the weather is bad enjoy all the nature center has to offer. The room can be rented seven days a week. Amenities include tables and chairs, restrooms, a full service kitchen complete with Jenn-Aire range, refrigerator, and plenty of counter space. In addition, during nature center hours you have access to displays and hands-on activities. The room may be reserved for a $50 fee.
Looking for somewhere to hold a horse show, dog show, or other event needing an arena? Look no further. The livestock arena at Infirmary Mound Park is an excellent choice. A shot base covers the arena which is enclosed on all sides with fencing. A holding stall can be found at one end of the facility. The arena also has a two story press box that includes electricity and a refrigerator. For those hot summer days, potable water can be found adjacent to the press box. Lighting for night events is not currently available. The arena can be rented on a daily basis from 8:30 a.m. until dark for $75.00 (4-H Clubs can reserve the facility for $50.00). The Park District ensures that the arena is in top condition prior to each reservation. We also provide trash containers and remove any trash after your event. The arena is also available for individuals to use when a show is not scheduled. Groups wishing to hold weekly or monthly meetings MUST contact Park District Headquarters to make prior arrangements. Proof of insurance and a release from liability form is required of any group wishing to utilize the facility. For additional information, please call (740) 587-2535.
Impromptu picnic facilities are also available at Infirmary Mound Park, Taft Reserve, and Lobdell Reserve for those last minute family outings. New picnic tables and grills were added to picnic areas in 2004. Most areas have access to restroom facilities.
Any group wishing to use a shelter house during the week to hold weekly or monthly meetings MUST contact the Licking Park District prior to your first meeting. Dog and horse clubs are not permitted to practice unless prior written permission is received from the Park District Director.
If you would like additional information regarding reservations, please call Park District Headquarters at (740) 587-2535 or e-mail us.