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  • Spring Valley Nature Center and Volkening Heritage Farm

    Address: 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194

    Phone:  847-985-2100  | Website: www.parkfun.com

    For questions, please email Alissa at alking@parkfun.com

    Construction Notice: Beginning September 21, 2026, Spring Valley will temporarily suspend rentals of the Nature Center Pavilion and Merkle Log Cabin/Shelter due to the planned construction of the Vera Meineke Nature Center. The duration of the construction project has not yet been determined, and these rental spaces will remain unavailable until further notice.

    For additional information, please contact Alissa King at alking@parkfun.com or call (847) 985-2100.

  • Rental Fees: Rates Per Hour (2-Hour Minimum)

  • Rates (per hour - 2 Hour Minimum) Capacity Resident Non-Resident Civic* Commercial
    Nature Center Pavilion (No rentals 9/6/2026-Spring 2027) 70 max. $65 $80 $50 $110
    Merkle Cabin (No rentals 9/6/2026-Spring 2027) 30 max. $70 $90 $55 $120
    Merkle Cabin (4+ hours flat fee) (No rentals 9/6/2026-Spring 2027) 30 max. $300 $380 $200 $460
    Cabin Area Picnic Shelter (No rentals 9/6/2026-Spring 2027) 50 max. $50 $65 $40 $90
    Shelter (Add-on to Merkle Cabin - flat fee) (No rentals 9/6/2026-Spring 2027) N/A $40 $40 $40 $50
    Heritage Farm Program Room 50 max. $210 $235  $195   $280
    Private Deck (Add-on to Farm Program Room - flat fee) N/A $100 $100 $100 $100

    *Civic groups are defined as not-for-profit organizations or local government organizations.

    Please note that due to planned construction at the Nature Center and Merkle Cabin, both facilities will be unavailable for rentals beginning Sept. 6. Rentals are tentatively expected to resume in spring 2027. Heritage Farm remains available for rentals year-round.

    Note: Rental groups are offered the opportunity to pre-reserve play sessions at Bison's Bluff Nature Playground for up to 30 children (ages 2-12) for a fee of $3 per child (fee applies April-October only). Accompanying adults receive free admission.

  • Today's Date*
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    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
  • Facility Requested (Please submit a separate form for each facility you'd like to rent)*

  • Please provide us with your requested dates for this rental. Dates are not guaranteed until confirmed. Providing a second and third choice is recommended, especially during summer, as many dates fill up fast. Rental requests must be made at least one month in advance. Requests are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests will not be confirmed more than 3 months in advance.

  • First Date Choice (must be at least one month in advance)*
     - -
    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
  • Second Date Choice
     - -
    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
  • Third Date Choice
     - -
    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year

  • Requested Rental Time

    A two-hour minimum is required for all rentals.

  • Rentals must take place during normal operating hours:

    • November 1-March 31: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
    • April 1-October 31: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
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  • Contact Information

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  • Rental/Ocassion Details

  • Once your rental is confirmed, staff will follow up to determine your room set-up needs (tables, chairs, etc.)

  • Will alcohol be served?*
  • Rates (per hour - 2 Hour Minimum) Capacity Resident Non-Resident Civic* Commercial
    Nature Center Pavilion 70 max. $65 $80 $50 $110
    Merkle Cabin 30 max. $70 $90 $55 $120
    Merkle Cabin (4+ hours flat fee) 30 max. $300 $380 $200 $460
    Cabin Area Picnic Shelter 50 max. $50 $65 $40 $90
    Shelter (Add-on to Merkle Cabin - flat fee) 50 max. $40 $40 $40 $50
    Heritage Farm Program Room 50 max. $210 $235  $195   $280
    Private Deck (Add-on to Farm Program Room - flat fee) 50 max. $100 $100 $100 $100

    *Civic groups are defined as not-for-profit organizations or local government organizations.

    Note: Rental groups are offered the opportunity to pre-reserve play sessions at Bison's Bluff Nature Playground for up to 30 children (ages 2-12) for a fee of $3 per child (fee applies April-October only). Accompanying adults receive free admission.

  • Rental Guidelines

  • Schaumburg Park District-sponsored activities shall have priority in all facilities.*
  • Rental requests must be made at least one month in advance. Requests are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests will not be confirmed more than 3 months in advance.*
  • A two-hour minimum is required for all rentals.*
  • Persons applying for a rental must be at least 21 years of age and be present during the entire rental period.*
  • Cabin & Farm Rental Payment/Refund Policy: Full payment is required at the time of booking. Cancellations made at least two weeks in advance will receive a full refund.  Cancellations made 72 hours in advance will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be given for cancellations less than 72 hours in advance.*
  • Pavilion and Shelter Rental Payment/Refund Policy: Full payment is required at the time of booking. Cancellations made by 3 p.m. the day before due to predicted inclement weather conditions will receive a full refund. No refunds will be given after 3 p.m. the day before the rental date.*
  • Upon booking, an additional, refundable deposit of $150 is required to secure your rental date. This deposit is intended to cover excessive cleaning, damage to the rental space, or any violation of the rental terms. If applicable, this deposit will be refunded within 2-3 business days of your rental. If damages exceed $150, the renter agrees to pay the remaining fee balance. User is responsible for the cost of all facility and equipment damage(s) incurred during User’s function.*
  • Rentals may not exceed the maximum occupancy for any facility space.*
  • User shall not enter, occupy or use this listed facility(ies) until the time(s) and date(s) specified. User may arrive 30 minutes prior to the rental start time for setup and leave 30 minutes after the rental end time for cleanup. Additional time will be charged at the hourly rental rate.*
  • Audiovisual options are available at each rental location and user can inquire about these options.*
  • Schaumburg Park District facilities and parks are equipped with lightning detection systems. If alarm sounds, renters using outdoor shelters must seek shelter in a facility or in their vehicles until the all-clear signal is heard.*
  • Public restrooms are available at the Nature Center, Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground and at Volkening Heritage Farm during normal hours of operation. A portable restroom is available at the Cabin Area Picnic Shelter. The restroom inside Merkle Cabin is only available with the Merkle Cabin rental.*
  • Merkle Cabin and the cabin picnic shelter are the only rental areas equipped with either a fire pit or fireplace. The Rental Host shall be the only individual authorized to light, maintain or extinguish fires in these locations.*
  • Staff are not permitted to assist with the User’s activities. They are authorized to enforce facility rules, prevent misuse and protect Schaumburg Park District property. Users and their guests are expected to inform their group of the staff’s role and authority during the rental period.*
  • All materials/decorations must be removed at the end of the rental. Decorations are limited to table tops and free-standing decor. Nothing may be affixed to the walls, wood pillars or ceiling. Glitter, confetti, silly string and balloons are NOT allowed.*
  • Groups with children ages 17 and younger must have at least one adult age 21 or older for every ten (10) children. Children must always remain under direct adult supervision and may not roam the property freely. Any group that does not provide adequate supervision, fails to maintain appropriate discipline or engages in disorderly conduct will be required to leave the premises and will forfeit all rental fees.*
  • Alcoholic beverages are not permitted without prior approval from the Park District Director. The Village of Schaumburg requires a Class D liquor license. Schaumburg Park District requires proof of $1,000,000 of liability insurance with Schaumburg Park District named additionally insured. Proof of these two documents is required a minimum of two weeks prior to rental. Without the approved documentation, possession or consumption of any type of alcoholic beverages while on the premises by any member of the party will result in automatic revocation of all rights hereunder and the forfeiture of all rental fees. Alcohol use is not permitted outside of the requested rental locations.*
  • No grills or cooking of food is permitted within buildings or on grounds. An exception is made for those renting the Cabin area fire pit using campfire forks only. NOTE: The Merkle Cabin kitchen and the Farm Program Room do not include cooking or serving utensils. Kitchen stoves are not available for use and may not be operated by renters or guests. The use of kitchen stoves is strictly prohibited. Chafing dishes and crock pots may be brought in by renters and must be plugged into designated outlets only. Refrigerator and freezer access are available upon request.*
  • If User plans on bringing in an outside vendor, they must be approved by Spring Valley. Additionally, the vendor is required to provide a Certificate of Insurance naming Schaumburg Park District as an Additional Insured. The certificate must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event and must include Schaumburg Park District’s administrative address: 235 E. Beech Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60193. The vendor’s insurance coverage must include Commercial General Liability with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate.*

  • Prohibited Activities

  • • Smoking is prohibited in all areas (indoors and outdoors) at Spring Valley per Schaumburg Park District ordinance.
    • Overnight camping/open fires (except campfires in designated fire pit when renting Cabin shelter).
    • Fishing, harvesting berries or other collecting of natural materials.
    • Feeding of Heritage Farm livestock or any wild animals residing on Spring Valley grounds.
    • Active sports, ball games, jumping houses, etc.
    • Loudspeakers, amplified music or public address systems.
    • Pets or any other animals (exception is made for certified service dogs).
    • Bicycles, roller blades, skateboards and scooters.
    • Erecting tents.
    • Posting of advertisements of any product or service for sale.

  • I have reviewed the prohibited activities listed.*

  • Rental Policies

    Your initials signify that you (the renter) have reviewed and accepted each policy in the rental agreement.
  • No individuals or groups may use Schaumburg Park District facilities or grounds for the purpose of private monetary gain or fundraising without special permission from the Park District Director.*
  • No person shall engage in selling, offering for sale, hawking, peddling, soliciting, buying, offering to buy, raffling, auctioning, collecting donations, or receiving contributions of money or anything of value within the Park System without prior written approval from Schaumburg Park District.*
  • No person shall display, offer, or sell any goods or services to the general public, or engage in any business, trade, occupation, or professional solicitation on Schaumburg Park District property. All such activities must comply fully with the terms and conditions of the agreement, as the District seeks to regulate and control commercial activity on its property.*
  • Groups and organizations are not permitted to post or share images of the building or make any public mention of Schaumburg Park District without prior written permission from Schaumburg Park District.*
  • The User is required to comply with all safety procedures established by Schaumburg Park District. Schaumburg Park District shall not be held liable for any accidents, incidents or injuries that may occur.*
  • The User listed on the Rental Application and/or the organization official must be present during the rental time, including setup and cleanup periods and is responsible for the conduct of the group.*
  • User shall not permit any area to be used for any disorderly or unlawful purposes during the period of this agreement.*
  • This rental agreement may be revoked at any time at the discretion of Schaumburg Park District due to misrepresentation of User, the misconduct of individuals in the group or for misuse of property. Future rentals may not be issued to User.*
  • This agreement represents the entire understanding between the parties. This agreement may be modified or altered only by further agreement in writing between the parties.*
  • Interpretation of this agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.*
  • Schaumburg Park District hereby grants the above-named client (hereinafter called the “Licensee”), permission to use the facilities as outlined, subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement contained herein and attached hereto all of which form part of this agreement.*
  • By signing below, you agree, on behalf of the Licensee, to be bound by this permit/license and the terms and conditions contained herein and attached hereto, and hereby warrant and represent that you are executing this permit/license on behalf of the Licensee and have sufficient power, authority and capacity to bind the Licensee with your signature.*

  • Prohibited Activities

    Your initials signify that you (the renter) have reviewed and accepted that you will not engage in the prohibited activities listed in the rental agreement.
  • Smoking is prohibited in all areas (indoors and outdoors) at Spring Valley per Schaumburg Park District ordinance.
  • Overnight camping/open fires (except campfires in designated fire pit when renting Cabin shelter) are prohibited.
  • Fishing, harvesting berries, or other collecting of natural materials is prohibited.
  • Feeding of Heritage Farm livestock or any wild animals residing on Spring Valley grounds is prohibited.
  • Active sports, ball games, jumping houses, etc., are prohibited
  • Loudspeakers, amplified music and/or public address systems are prohibited.
  • Pets or any other animals (except for a certified service animal) are prohibited.
  • Bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, scooters, etc., are prohibited.
  • Erecting tents without preauthorization is prohibited.
  • Posting of advertisements of any product or service for sale is prohibited.
  • Should be Empty: