Reservations
To reserve an event date at the Akron Zoo, a non-refundable deposit is required for 50% of the estimated rental fee along with the completed Akron Zoo Group Rental Agreement. Deposits are required a minimum of 30 days in advance for rentals during regular zoo hours and 60 days in advance for evening events. The deposit is applied to the balance due. The final balance is due on or before the rental date unless other arrangements have been made in advance with the Community Relations Coordinator.
Hours of Rental:
The zoo is open for group rentals during regular zoo hours and for private parties after hours. The zoo’s regular hours are May - October 10 am – 5 pm and November – April 11 am – 4 pm.
DAY EVENTS
Outdoor Picnic Packages
Group picnic packages are available during regular zoo hours and include admission, parking and reserved covered tent with picnic tables. Additional 8ft. tables may be rented from the zoo for a fee. Picnic areas are rented “as is”. The packages are as follows:
Up to 50 people - $325
Up to 100 people - $600
Up to 150 people - $875
Up to 200 people - $1,050
Set up may begin 30 minutes prior to the rental time. Electricity is limited and must be discussed with a zoo representative in advance.
Boardroom
The rental fee includes facility fee, screen, parking, coffee and water. The room is rented “as is” and seats up to 20 people. The boardroom is available for meetings from 8 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Guests are not permitted to roam the zoo before the zoo opens to the public.
Boardroom Up to 20 people
3 hour rental - $125
8 hour rental - $300
Additional hour - $40
Set up may begin 30 minutes prior to the rental time.
Komodo Kingdom Education Center Classroom
The rental fee includes facility fee for Komodo Classroom – located in Komodo Kingdom Education Center, parking, coffee and water. Room is rented “as is” and seats up to 40 people. Komodo Classroom is available from 8 am – 5 pm. Guests are not permitted to roam the zoo before the zoo opens to the public. Guest will enter the building via parking lot C.
Classroom Up to 40 people
3 hour rental - $250
8 hour rental - $500
Additional hour - $80
Set up may begin 30 minutes prior to the rental time.
Nature’s View – Corporate Rental
The rental fee includes facility fee, round tables and chairs and parking. Additional 8ft. tables may be rented from the zoo for a fee. Nature’s View is available from 8 am until the zoo’s regular closing time. Guests are not permitted to roam the zoo until the zoo opens to the public. Final set up must be arranged with the Community Relations Manager two weeks prior to the event.
Nature’s View Up to 40 people
3 hour rental - $300
8 hour rental - $550
Additional hour - $100
Set up may begin 30 minutes prior to the rental time.
Nature’s View – Private Parties
The rental fee includes facility fee, round tables and chairs and parking. Additional 8ft. tables may be rented from the zoo for a fee. Nature’s View is available during regular zoo hours until the zoo’s regular closing time. Guests are not permitted in the zoo until the zoo opens to the public. Final set up must be arranged with the Community Relations Manager two weeks prior to the event.
Nature’s View Up to 40 people
3 hour rental - $300
7 hour rental - $550
Additional hour - $100
Set up may begin 1 hour prior to the rental time.
EVENING EVENTS
Owl Package – Available May – August from 6 – 9 pm.
The rental fee for the Owl Package includes renting the zoo with animals on exhibit, parking and covered picnic areas. The zoo is rented “as is”. Facility rentals are an additional charge. Groups are responsible for guest registration. The zoo will operate admissions and registration for a fee of $15/hour with a two week notice.
Three hour rental with up to 100 guests - $1,500
Each additional guest - $5
Extras: Animal encounter $30, train rides $100 per hour, farmland feed $60 per hour, penguin feed $200 up to 50 people for 1 hour. ZooBucks $1 each. A two week notice is required for all extra services.
Legends of the Wild – Available May – November from one hour after closing until 9 pm.
The rental fee for Legends includes penguins and Legends of the Wild animals on exhibit and parking. Facility rentals are an additional charge. The zoo will operate admissions and registration for a fee of $15/hour with a two week notice.
Three hour rental with up to 100 guests - $1,200
Each additional guest - $5
Additional hour - $200
Extras: Animal encounter $30, penguin feed $200 up to 50 people for 1 hour. ZooBucks $1 each. A two week notice is required for all extra services.
Lehner Family Zoo Gardens – Available May – August from 6 – 9 pm.
The fee includes use of the Lehner Family Zoo Gardens, Nature’s View and parking. Nature’s View seats up to 50 people. The remainder of the park is closed and animals are off exhibit. The zoo will operate admissions and registration for a fee of $15/hour with a two week notice.
Three hour rental with up to 100 guests - $800
Each additional guest - $5
Extras: Animal encounter $30, farmland feed $60 per hour. ZooBucks $1 each. A two week notice is required for all extra services.
Komodo Kingdom Education Center – Available year round.
Komodo Kingdom is available for private groups to rent one hour after the zoo’s regular closing time until 11 pm. As is, indoor seating is available for up to 128 people and outdoor seating holds up to 130 people. The facility is rented “as is”. An additional labor fee may be added for events that require additional set up from zoo staff. The zoo will operate admissions and registration for a fee of $15/hour with a two week notice.
Three hour rental up to 150 guests - $1,500
Each additional guest - $5
Each additional hour - $200
Extras: Animal encounter $30. ZooBucks $1 each. A two week notice is required for all extra services.
*Zoo memberships are not accepted as admission payment for private events.
Barnhardt Family Welcome Center Atrium – Available year round.
The Atrium is available for private groups to rent one hour after the zoo’s regular closing time until 11 pm. Tables and chairs are not included in the rental fee. The facility holds up to 130 people seated and 175 people cocktail-style. The zoo will operate admissions and registration for a fee of $15/hour with a two week notice.
Three hour rental - $800
Each additional hour - $200
Extras: Animal encounter $30, penguin feed $200 up to 50 people for 1 hour. A two week notice is required for all extra services.
Inclement Weather Policy
The zoo stays open regardless of weather. The zoo is unable to schedule inclement weather reservations.
Rental Equipment/Deliveries
Groups may rent available equipment from the zoo as listed below. Outside rentals are not permitted unless arranged with the Community Relations Manager two weeks in advance. Zoo staff will set up all equipment rented from the zoo. The zoo staff is not responsible for setting up equipment rented from an outside vendor unless arranged with the Community Relations Manager two weeks in advance. Additional labor charges may apply. Any materials delivered by an outside vendor must be delivered during the zoo’s regular delivery hours on the day of the event and must be picked up the following day by 9 am. Vehicles are not permitted on grounds unless approved by a zoo representative.
6 ft. table - $10 per table
8 ft. table - $10 per table
LCD projector - $40
Screen - $20
Sound System - $75
Podium - $15
Black linen - $4 per table
Catering
The Akron Zoo is able to handle all your catering needs. Outside caterers are permitted after receiving approval from a zoo representative, however, groups of 200 or less will be charged $250 to use a caterer other than the Akron Zoo. Groups with 201 or more guests will be charged $300 to use an outside caterer. The fee is waived if using a caterer on the zoo’s Preferred Caterer list.
Caterers other than the Akron Zoo are responsible for staffing and providing all equipment for events. Use of Komodo Café’s storage and equipment is not permitted. Use of Komodo Kingdom’s kitchen is limited based on the zoo’s operating hours.
For Akron Zoo Komodo Kingdom Café Catering, payment and final count are due 14 days prior to your event. Cancellations and refunds will be honored up to 15 days prior to your event. Once the food order is placed, the group is responsible for full catering payment.
The zoo will provide electricity for a caterer where available. All caterers are responsible for removing the trash and mess that is generated from the food. Open fire is prohibited. Propane grilling is permitted in certain locations in the zoo by a certified, insured caterer and the Akron Zoo reserves the right to deny any outside caterer or vendor. The Akron Zoo must be notified 14 days prior to the event if a caterer plans to grill on zoo grounds.
For non catered events held after regular zoo hours, Komodo Kingdom Café will stay open with its regular menu for groups of 150 or more for a specified time during the event to be decided by the zoo. Individual payments must be made at the time of purchase.
Set up for after hour events
Set up may begin 1 hour prior to all after hour events, but must not interfere with the zoo’s regular visitors.
Cleanup
It is the group’s responsibility to leave the zoo in the condition it was found in upon arrival. The rental fee includes 1 hour after the rental time for cleanup. Charges will be applied beyond 1 hour.
Storage
The zoo will not store items for events, including items rented from an outside vendor. The zoo does not provide refrigeration/freezer space for outside groups.
Signage
All signage must be approved by the Akron Zoo prior to the event date. Signs may not be placed throughout the zoo while open to the public. Set up of all signage and banners is the responsibility of the group after receiving permission from the zoo. No thumbtacks, tape, nails etc. on walls, ceilings and tents.
Solicitation
Guests are not permitted to solicit the Akron Zoo’s guests. Selling of any form is not permitted on zoo grounds.
Entertainment
Music and entertainment are permitted with the approval of an Akron Zoo representative. The zoo will be happy to make suggestions of entertainers that perform regularly at the zoo. Special activities must be pre-approved by a zoo representative. The Community Relations Manager must have a contact name and telephone number for all vendors at least three weeks prior to the event.
Non-profit Organizations
Non-profit organizations receive a 25% discount off indoor rental facilities and evening events. Non-profit organizations receive a 10% discount off Outdoor Picnic Packages. Discounts do not apply to admission fees, extras, equipment rental or catering. A federal ID number or tax-exempt form must be submitted with the rental agreement to receive the discount. Reimbursements will not be made if forms are not submitted with the agreement.
Akron Zoo Members
Akron Zoo members will receive a 5% discount off any rental package if the initial contact is a member at the reservation time or if he/she purchases a membership before final payment is due. Discounts do not apply to admission fees, extras, equipment rental or catering.
Invitations/Printed Material
The Akron Zoo Communications Department needs to review and approve any advertising or printed material concerning the zoo before distribution. This includes, but is not limited to, tickets, invitations and promotional material mentioning the zoo. Allow sufficient time for approval.
Other general guidelines
No pets are permitted
No balloons or straws
No grilling or open flame
No smoking on zoo grounds
No alcoholic beverages*
*Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic Beverages are permitted for after hour groups as long as the following criteria are met.
· All regular zoo visitors must be off grounds before the event begins.
· All alcoholic beverages must be contained in one area of the zoo.
· Glass is not permitted.
· An Akron Police Officer must be hired by and paid for by the group if alcohol is served for groups over 50 people. APD must be paid directly by the group.
· All alcoholic beverages must be served by an insured professional caterer or bartending service.
· Any organization serving alcoholic beverages on zoo grounds must name the Akron Zoo as an additional insured on the company’s business insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000.00 in coverage.
· The Akron Zoo must receive proof of insurance a minimum of two weeks prior to the event. If the certificate is not received, alcohol will not be permitted under any circumstances.
· No exchange of money may take place for the alcohol; whether it be in the form of a cash bar or built in the event ticket price.
The Akron Zoo is not liable for and will not assume responsibility for damage or loss of property left in the zoo prior to, during, or following the event.
