Birthday Parties
Birthday Parties may be held under the three pavilions located behind the Nature Discovery Center (see map here). The large pavilion covers three 8-foot picnic tables (seating = 36 kids or 30 adults), while each of the two smaller pavilions covers one 6-foot picnic table (seating = eight kids or six adults).
Reservations must be made in advance.
To learn more, go to the Birthday Party page.
Event Rentals
Events may be held at the Nature Discovery Center, which offers an affordable and functional rental area for your special event or meeting needs. The Center building includes a full kitchen and several rooms that can be used have versatile event uses. For outdoor entertaining, the Center has three pavilions located behind the Nature Discovery Center (see map here). The large pavilion covers three 8-foot picnic tables (seating = 36 kids or 30 adults), while each of the two smaller pavilions covers one 6-foot picnic table (seating = eight kids or six adults).
View pricing and additional Event Rental details here.
Reservations must be made and paid for in advance for all event rentals. To begin your rental process please fill out our Facility Rental Inquiry Form.
Event Rental Package Guidelines:
- Exclusive use of the pavilions for up to five hours, including setup and cleanup time
- Option to decorate pavilions (streamers or banners, NO piñatas and NO balloons) but return to previous condition after party
- Ability to use outside vendors for catering, etc. All vendors must submit their liability insurance 5 days in advance of the rental.
- No flame or heated food trays may be placed on the wooden picnic tables for fire safety.
- Access to large trash bins
- A nature setting that offers a unique and beautiful backdrop
The following are strictly prohibited:
- No petting zoos, pony rides, or unauthorized outside animals.
- No balloons of any kind
- No piñatas
- No staking of bounce houses or canopies
- No disturbing or feeding any animals.
- No alcohol, smoking, or pets, per City of Bellaire park regulations
Take a virtual tour of the outdoor pavilion area by clicking on the photo below.
Meetings or Retreats at the Center
Hold your next staff retreat, board meeting or planning session at the Nature Discovery Center (operated from the Henshaw House), with easy access to Russ Pitman Park. You can meet outside at the picnic tables, under our pavilions or inside the Center.
Rental of the classroom is $75.00 per hour. We offer a discount of 10% for nonprofit organizations.
Center Rental Amenities and Guidelines:
• The downstairs of the Center features three connected rooms (a meeting space, reception room, and library area) and a kitchen available for your use. Please review our downstairs floorplan for room sizes and seating capacities, or drop by to see the space.
• Added amenities: thirty stacking meeting room chairs, four 6-foot tables, a fixed projection screen for slide or presentations (you supply your own projector), and two downstairs restrooms.
Take a virtual tour of reception area, meeting space and library here below.
The Nature Discovery Center does not provide food or drinks, but outside catering for your event is welcome. Please have your caterer contact us for guidelines.
Restrictions and Payment
Because we are located inside a city park, there can be no pets, alcoholic beverages (without an approved City of Bellaire alcohol permit), or smoking in the building, grounds, or parking lots.
A $100.00 deposit and signed contract are required at the time of reservation. Payment in full is required 48 hours before the event. Failure to pay will result in forfeiture of reservation and deposit. Cancellations must be made no later than 48 hours before your event. Failure to provide 48-hour notice will result in forfeiture of deposit.
For facility rental inquiries, please call the Center at 713.667.6550.
