Dorothy B. Oven Park & 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.
It is truly a place to get away...within the City Limits.
Park hours; 7:00am - 11:00pm
Holidays could exclude rental availability
Fees & Charges - 7.5% State Sales Tax included in fees
Refundable deposit fees for events, due at the time of booking.
No sales tax applies.
| Group Size / Event Type |
Deposit Amount |
| 32 guests or less |
$100 |
| 33 guests or more |
$250 |
| All weddings and receptions |
$250 |
Rental rates for weddings and receptions, including use of the entire house
and grounds. All rates listed include tax.
| Rental Period |
Rate |
| 14 Hour Wedding (Saturdays & Sundays) |
$1,881.25 |
| 6.5 Hour Wedding (Weekdays & Sundays) |
$1,096.50 |
| Each Additional Hour |
$170.00 |
| Prior Day Load-In / Set-Up / Decorate (4 hours) |
$559.00 |
First Floor Rental rates (non-wedding/reception). All rates include tax.
| Time Block |
Rate (Tax Included) |
Tax Exempt Rate |
| 4 Hour Block (minimum rental) |
$602.00 |
$560.00 |
| Each Additional Hour |
$150.50 |
$140.00 |
Individual Room Rentals
Fees for individual room rentals, including base rates and additional hourly rates.
| Rental Option |
Rate (Tax Included) |
Tax Exempt Rate |
| $46 per Hour + Tax |
$148.35 |
$138.00 |
| 3 Hour Block (minimum rental) |
$148.35 |
$138.00 |
| Each Additional Hour |
$49.45 |
$46.00 |
| 40x40 Patio Add-on Hourly |
$49.40 |
$46.00 |
Forms of Payment
We accept Cash, Check, Money Order, Credit & Debt Cads. (Card payments will incur a 2.6% convenience fee.)
Make Checks Payable To:
City of Tallahassee
Dorothy B. Oven Park
3205 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
Fees are due 90 days prior to the event.
Cancellation & Deposit Refund Policy
All cancellation notices must be submitted in writing. Cancellations received 90 days or more prior to the scheduled event date will receive a full refund of all rental fees and the deposit. Cancellations received less than 90 days prior to the scheduled event date will result in the forfeiture of all rental fees and the deposit. No refunds will be issued.
Deposit Refunds: For events that take place as scheduled, the deposit is refundable provided there is no damage to the property and the renter, including all vendors, adheres to the rental times specified in the contract. The renter is responsible for ensuring vendor compliance. Deposit refunds will be processed within 7 days following the event. Payments made by credit card will be refunded to the original card. Refunds for all other forms of payment require a check request and will be mailed within approximately 4–6 weeks.
Dorothy B. Oven Park, 3205 Thomasville Road
The holiday light display will premiere Thanksgiving evening (Thursday, November 26) and run nightly through the New Year (Friday, January 1), weather permitting.
Weekday hours are 6:00 - 10:00pm with extended hours on the weekends from 5:30 - 11:00pm. Motorists inside the park and traveling along Thomasville Road in the vicinity of the park, are urged to drive with caution.
This year, Elf Night is Sunday, December 13 from 5:30 - 8:00pm. If you’d like to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, check-in on the front lawn upon arrival to be assigned a ticket number. Ticket distribution will close once we reach maximum capacity - you are welcome to enjoy the festivities until your number is called. While enjoying Elf Night, parents will want to have their cameras ready to record all the smiles and wonderment on their children’s faces.
Hot Cocoa and cookies will be provided by Santa’s little helpers while supplies last.
Please remember vehicles will not be allowed to drive through or use the parking lot on Elf Night but parking will be available next door at the Thomasville Road Baptist Church.
Both Elf Night and our holiday light display are free and open to the public and we look forward to seeing you.
For more information, call our holiday line at 850-891-3555.