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Dorothy B. Oven Park & House










Park main house
Fauna at Dorothy Oven park
The Gazebo at Dorothy Oven
A small water feature at the park
A close up shot of the Gazebo
One of the many walking trails
A path leading to the Gazebo in the distance
Flowers placed along the walking trail
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  • Contract for Weddings & Parties
  • Contract for Individual Room
  • Contract for Multi-Date Meetings
  • Cancellation Notice
  • Location Map

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 - Due at Time of Booking (no sales tax)
48 Guests or less $100
49 Guests or more $200
All weddings and receptions $200

Weddings and/or Receptions - Entire House and Use of Grounds (Tax Included)
14 Hour Wedding (Saturdays & Sundays) $1656.58
6.5 Hour Wedding (Weekdays & Sundays) $1028.78
Each Additional Hour $92.45
Prior Day Load-In/Set-Up/Decorate (4 hours) $430.00

First Floor Rental (non wedding/reception)
  Rate (Tax Included) Tax Exempt Rate
4 Hour Block (minimum rental) $592.33 $551.00
Each Additional Hour $92.45 $86.00

Individual Room Rentals

$46 per Hour + Tax Rate (Tax Included) Tax Exempt Rate
3 Hour Block (minimum rental) $148.35 $138.00
Each Additional Hour $49.45 $46.00
40x40 Patio Add-on Hourly $29.03 $27.00

 

Forms of Payment

We accept Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa, and MasterCard.

Make Checks Payable To:
City of Tallahassee
Dorothy B. Oven Park
3205 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32308

Fees are due 30 days prior to the event.

Refund Policy

Deposit is refundable, via check from City's Revenue Department, after your activity provided there is no damage to the property and you adhere to the rental time on your contract. Cancellation notice 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 deposits and fees. All notices of cancellation must be in writing.

Elf night

Dorothy B. Oven Park, 3205 Thomasville Road

The holiday light display will premiere Thanksgiving evening (Thursday, November 27) and run nightly through the New Year (Tuesday, 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 Thursday, December 18 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.

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  • Dorothy B. Oven Park
  • 3205 Thomasville Road
  • Tallahassee FL 32308
  • 850-891-3915
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  • Dorothy B. Oven Park
  • 3205 Thomasville Road
  • Tallahassee FL 32308
  • 850-891-3915
  • Maps and Directions
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