Wedding Information
How many shelters do you have available to rent and where are they located?
Shelters are available for rental at the following parks.
- Brookside, 1325 6th Street (central Ames)
- Daley, 340 Wilder Boulevard (far west Ames)
- River Valley, 725 East 13th Street (east Ames)
- Inis Grove, 24th and Duff Avenue (north / central Ames)
- Moore Memorial, 3050 Northridge Parkway (north/west Ames)
- Emma McCarthy, 3400 Ross Road (west Ames)
The gazebo at Moore Memorial Park is also available for $18.00 per hour.
How much does it cost to rent a shelter?
$18 per hour with a two (2) hour minimum. You will need to include in your rental, time to set-up and clean-up.
How do I reserve a shelter?
Reserve online or call our office at 515-239-5350. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance.
Do I need a permit to have my wedding in the park?
No, you do not need a permit to have your wedding in the park.
What hours are the parks open?
The parks are open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
How many guests can be accommodated in a shelter?
Shelters vary in size (please visit our website to view each shelter size).
May we erect tents or canopies adjacent a shelter or in the park?
No, you may not erect tents or canopies.
Are the shelters, restrooms, and parking lots handicap accessible?
All shelter and adjacent restrooms are ADA compliant. Please note that all vehicle parking is restricted to hard surfaced lots.
May we serve alcohol at the wedding?
Yes, beer and wine are allowed at the following parks.
- Brookside
- River Valley
- Inis Grove
- Moore Memorial
- Emma McCarthy
Keg beer and hard liquor is prohibited within the park system.
May I have food catered for my wedding?
Yes, you may have food catered.
May I decorate the shelter?
Yes, you are welcome to decorate! Please keep in mind the following guidelines:
- Please do not put nails or staples in tables, shelters, or trees
- To avoid the risk of damaging underground utilities, never install stakes in the ground
- When decorating please keep the environment in mind
- Please remove all decorations at the conclusion of your event
- Please leave your area clean, collect the trash and place in the provided containers
- Remember to reserve the shelter for the entire time you need for set-up and clean up.
May we move the picnic tables onto the grass and set up our own chairs under the shelter?
Yes. If tables are moved from the shelter, please return them to their original location at the conclusion of your wedding.
Is music allowed to be played?
Non-amplified / acoustic music is allowed.
Are restrooms available?
Yes. Restrooms are not heated and are winterized from October 15 to April 15.
Contact Us
Additional questions? Please contact Joshua Thompson at 515.239.5364 or email at joshua.thompson@cityofames.org.