Story - McFarland Park

The multi-purpose room at the Story County Conservation Center is available to rent for social gatherings as well as meetings. The air-conditioned room seats 80-100 comfortably and is equipped with tables and chairs, kitchenette, amphitheater area, built-in projector, drop down projection screen, and a microphone system. The multi-purpose room is available for rent between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Sunday-Saturday (except federal holiday). Events for the next calendar year may be scheduled after November 1 of the current year. Building displays (including photo exhibits and animal mounts) are not to be moved. 

• The lobby area and restrooms will remain open to the public during regular office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).  
• Outside areas are not reservable, and remain open to the public. 
• No vending machines are available.
• Parking is confined to designated parking areas. If you anticipate more vehicles than spaces provided, please contact the conservation office in advance.     
• Smoking is prohibited in the conservation center and on the deck.  
• Reservation fees will NOT be refunded should you decide to cancel; however, an alternate date can be selected in the same calendar year if at least 7 days notification is received before the reservation date. The damage deposit will be returned if your reservation is cancelled. Weather related cancellations and unusual circumstances will be allowed at the discretion of the director.  
• Decorations are allowed as long as they are free standing or not affixed in a manner that would damage the facility or any painted walls. Throwing rice, confetti, or artificial flower petals is prohibited. Under no circumstances will any staples, pins, nails, or other fasteners be placed on the wall, woodwork, or deck of the nature center. All such penetrations will be charged to the renter as damage to the facility.   
• Set-up and clean-up time must be included in your reservation period. Please plan accordingly. Tables and chairs are available for use in the multipurpose room and are located in the storage closet.  The renter is responsible for setting up any tables and/or chairs upon their arrival. There is a drop-down projection screen and an audio/video system in the multipurpose room available for use. Renters must provide their own laptop, tablet, or music player to plug into the system. Tables, chairs, garbage cans, and all other property belonging to Story County Conservation shall not be removed from the conservation center building (i.e. chairs and tables are not to be taken outside).   All appliances and dishes in the kitchenette may be used provided that following the rental the kitchen is thoroughly cleaned and items are returned to their proper place. Caterers may use the kitchen for meal service; however, the renter is responsible for all clean-up. The renter is responsible for wiping down any tables that were used, returning tables and chairs to the closet, cleaning and returning any kitchen items or equipment, emptying garbage cans and placing the garbage in the dumpster provided in the parking lot, and assuring the floor is swept, vacuumed, and mopped if necessary. A cleaning checklist is posted on the storage closet door and must be completed, signed, and returned to the Conservation office for your damage deposit to be returned. Brooms, mops, garbage bags, paper towels, etc. are available in the storage closet.   Story County Conservation does not provide staff for set-up or clean-up. Staff will inspect the facility for damage or clean up needs after the event. The renter is welcome, but not required, to attend this inspection (usually to occur the following morning).   
• Persons or groups meeting any of the following criteria must complete a Special Events Permit: 1) Any event or gathering not sponsored by SCC and numbering two-hundred and fifty (250) people or more. 2) Any event or gathering charging admission or charging for services regardless of the number of people. 3) Any event utilizing a party tent, amplified music, or in-ground stakes/signs.   A $75.00 non-refundable filing fee will be assessed for approved special events.  
• Consumption of beer (with alcohol content 5% or less by weight) and wine (with an alcohol content 17% or less by weight) is allowed at the rental facility for the reservation period (see DAMAGE DEPOSIT section). Hard liquor (such as whiskey, vodka, etc.), wine with an alcohol content of more than 17 % by weight or other alcoholic liquors are not to be consumed or dispensed in Story County Conservation parks and recreation areas. The renter MUST declare prior to the rental if alcohol will be present. Failure to notify the Story County Conservation Board of the presence of alcohol prior to the rental will result in the forfeiture of the damage deposit.  Additionally, any persons in possession of or consuming beer/wine without notifying the Story County Conservation Board will be subject to a fine, forfeiture of the rental, and/or confiscation of the beer/wine at the ranger’s discretion. The responsible person listed on the contract shall ensure that all persons consuming wine/beer at the event are of a legal age. All laws of the State of Iowa regarding consumption of alcohol will be strictly observed.   
• A damage deposit of $100 is required for rental of all SCC facilities. If alcohol (beer/wine) is being consumed--cans, bottles, or one keg--the damage deposit is $200.  For two kegs (more than two kegs is strictly prohibited)--the damage deposit is $275. Additional deposits may be required at the discretion of the director. The damage deposit is not to be considered as a limit for damage to county property. The Conservation Board may take any legal action necessary to recover additional damage. This will be determined by the actual cost of cleanup and/or repair of damage as noted below. Damage to the exhibits, displays, and mounted animals will be assessed depending on the replacement cost. Missing or broken items will be charged at their replacement value. Staff time for clean-up will be charged in one hour increments at $30/hour (one hour minimum). The deposit is to be returned upon compliance with this agreement, return of signed clean-up checklist, and after inspection of the facility by SCC staff.
• As a public facility, the center is a smoke-free zone.  

To schedule a reservation at the conservation center, contact the administrative office during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) at 515/232-2516 or by e-mail at conservation@storycountyiowa.gov.   Reservations must be made at least five days in advance. 

There are no refunds for cancellations.