Dorothy B. Oven Park & House

Dorothy B. Oven Park & Meeting House

The history of the Dorothy B. Oven Park is as rich as the soil that nurtured the finest camellias in the area. The property was part of the Lafayette Land Grant awarded to General Marquis de Lafayette in 1824 by the United States Congress.

In the 1930's the Camellia Nursery, built by the late Breckenridge Gamble, Ritchie and Bill Rosa, was replaced by the house which was designed by Mr. Alfred Maclay. The property was donated by Mr. Will J. Oven, Jr. in 1985, to the City of Tallahassee through the Tallahassee Friends of Our Parks Foundation, Inc., in an unprecedented gesture of civic generosity, with the stipulation that it be developed as a city park, retaining the integrity of the area.

The Dorothy B. Oven Park Main House features a classic manor-style home with rare magnolia paneling, wooden floors, antique furniture and artwork, full kitchen facilities and a charming lanai. The House is available to the public for rental use for seminars, weddings, meetings and receptions.

The Park is located in the heart of more than six acres of lush North Florida garden filled with azaleas, camellias, palms and other local flora giving the park an ambience not found elsewhere. The park is open during regular business hours for tours and lease. The fees vary according to space and time requested.

The City of Tallahassee and the Parks and Recreation Department invite you to visit the Dorothy B. Oven Park and experience this new concept in our city park system. It is truly a place to get away...within the City Limits.

Fees & Charges - 7.5% State Sales Tax included in fees

Refundable Deposit - Due at Time of Booking (no sales tax)
Up to 50 people $100
More than 50 people $200
Individual Room Rental - Minimum 2 Hours - Less than 30ppl
Weekdays from 8:00am - 5:00pm $70.41 Two Hours
  $14.78 Each Add'l Hour
Evenings after 5:00pm and Weekends $76.86 Two Hours
  $21.23 Each Add'l Hour
Whole House Rental - Entire First Floor (non wedding/reception)
Weekdays from 8:00am - 5:00pm $201.03 4 Hours
  $402.05 8 Hours
Evenings after 5:00pm and Weekends $499.61 4 Hours
  $72.29 Each Add'l Hour
Weddings and/or Receptions - Entire House and Grounds
Saturdays from 9:30am - 11:30pm $1396.69 14 Hours
All Other Days $866.18 6.5 Hours
  $72.29 Each Add'l Hour
Fees are due 30 days prior to the event.
Refund Policy
Deposit is refundable after your activity as long as there are no damages or additional hours used. Notice of cancellation must be received 90 days prior to the event for a full refund, notices received less than 90 days will forfeit the deposit, any cancellation received 2 weeks of less from the event will result in a forfeit of all fees. All notices of cancellation must be in writing.
Make Checks Payable To:
City of Tallahassee
Dorothy B. Oven Park
3205 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
 

Dorothy B. Oven Park & Meeting HousePark Rules & Regulations

Dorothy B. Oven Park is a public park and is always open to the public. Since most of the events booked are private, staff is instructed to direct any visitors to areas of the park not in use. In order to maintain the House and Park in its pristine condition, we have set some ground rules for guest and those employed by guest. This list is not exhaustive.

  1. All functions are to follow the House Rules. There is no smoking in the House and no parking on the grass or patios for any reason. Unloading may be done from the driveway and all hired staff vehicles should be parked in the parking lot.
  2. The kitchen and all areas used by the party are to be cleaned at the conclusion of the function. This includes any service or preparatory areas. The last load of dishes may be left running in the dishwasher, all other items should be cleaned and put away.
  3. Professional, licensed caterers are highly recommended to assist with your food service. They are expected to provide their own supplies such as garbage bags, detergents, paper towels, etc., needed to keep the House in good order. There are no serving pieces or cooking pans available at the park. Please pick-up any trash and leave the areas used by your group clean. There is no ice-maker on site, so please bring your own ice in coolers. Since various liquids can be harmful to the foliage, please do not throw liquids or ice in the gardens.
  4. Any chairs rented from a rental company are to be set up by the rental company, caterer, or the rental party. The park staff cannot be responsible for this service. The chairs in the house do not go outside. Certain park tables may be placed outside on hard surface area only and staff on duty will perform this service.
  5. Event times are set at the time the Park is reserved. These scheduled times should include setup, event and cleanup. On occasion, we have two functions on the same day; when this occurs, the caterers and guest need to respect the following or previous party. Drop offs for the latter party will not be allowed until after the earlier party, or may be arranged through Park Staff. Likewise, the earlier party will not be permitted to leave any items such as rental materials in the house beyond the contracted time. There is a rental shed on the property to store items until they can be picked up. Any items left, personal or rental will be held for no more than two weeks.
  6. If a tent is used it should be placed only on the front patio (40' x 40') with prior approval and will not be allowed on the lawn areas. All tents must be erected during a prearranged time. Please have your tent company call the park office for arrangements.
  7. The linen required for the tables is not available at the park. Most of the tables are standard sizes making linens easily obtained from most local rental companies.
  8. The furniture and paintings in the Dorothy B. Oven House are rare and should be treated as such. The paintings and the furniture should not be moved, nor are they to be used as support for any decorations requiring tape or tacks. Likewise, the paneling is not to be marred with tape or tacks. The window curtains have a pull down shade, which may be used if necessary. Please do not try to close the curtains themselves. If there is a question regarding decorations, please contact the house staff.
  9. Candles may be used indoors only if they are contained or enclosed, i.e. hurricane globes. Tiki torches may be used outdoors, please check with staff for placement.
  10. When alcohol is served at parties, it should only be served and never sold. It is the renters or caterer's responsibility to arrange for the bartenders. Please be sure no minors (by I.D. checks if necessary) are served and that consumption levels are not excessive.
  11. Since rice has been found to be harmful to birds please make plans to use birdseed or bubbles for wedding celebrations, please no candy confetti, sparklers or artificial flower petals.
  12. The park staff will always be on hand to assist but their primary responsibility is to the park. They should not be regarded as waiters or waitresses, bartenders, or kitchen help. All caterers should come with a full complement of staff.
  13. Musicians will be asked to keep the volume of music at a reasonable level. This will be left to the discretion of the staff on duty. Amplified music will not be allowed on the back patio. All outdoor music must be turned off by 11 pm.
  14. There are 42 parking spaces available on the park property. If any additional parking is needed, please discuss this with staff as soon as possible.
  15. If you plan to use the Camellia Fountain area for your wedding activity white stakes are available your decorations. The Archway and Gazebo were donated and hold special significance; PLEASE DO NOT MAR THE STRUCTURES WITH STAPLES, TACKS OR NAILS.
  16. Outdoor bars and food tables attract heavy foot traffic, so please be sure to place on the hard surface areas ONLY. This will help staff keep the grass areas green and plush.
  17. The park is constantly changing, new plants are being added, and new garden areas designed. The months of November and December traditionally have holiday lights installed. Please check with staff to see what is being planned in the park near the time of your special event.
  18. Measurements you may be interested in:
    • Mantel - 6'10" long, 10" deep
    • Front Brick Patio - square part 40' x 40'
    • Banister - Pole 4', from pole to landing 11'
    • Banquet tables - 29" high, 30" wide.
    • Gazebo:
    --- width of stars 1'; from floor to top of stars 9',
    --- from outside post to outside post at ramp 5'5",
    --- inside post openings at either side of ramp 7'3",
    --- from the second front door to the round part of the brick walkway ~150 ft
    --- from the circle area to the gazebo ~60 ft. the circle is an 8' diameter.
    • Fountain - From the house screen porch door to the entrance of the fountain ~171',
    --- the brick walkway to the fountain (as you make a right) ~48'.
    We do not guarantee any of the numbers listed below. Please call in advance of your party to verify what we have on hand at that time.
  19. Tables are available for indoor and outdoor use; chairs are for indoor use ONLY.
    • 8 - 60" round tables, 6 - 6' banquet tables, 4 - 48" round tables
    • 4 - 36" card tables, 8 - 19" wide - 6' banquet tables, 4 - 8' banquet tables
    • 65 - padded chairs
    • No linens or outdoor chairs available
    • No ice maker at the park