Town of Garner, NC
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White Deer Park Nature Center
Located in White Deer Park, the Nature Center offers a variety of exhibits to explore. Say hello to our resident animals, Mac and Cheese the corn snakes, Sheldon and Sally our yellow-bellied sliders, or peep in at our Fowler's toad. An assortment of critters live at the nature center and we will continue to expand our collection. You can also learn about local North Carolina species through our mounted specimen and skulls collection or visit one of our hands-on and educational programs. We offer a variety of fun programs throughout each month.
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| Park Hours Sunrise until sunset Nature Center Hours April - September October - March Closed on Sunday and Monday |
White Deer Park is a predominantly passive park that is sensitive to the environment, preserves wildlife habitat, and is aware of its impact on surrounding areas. The park provides educational opportunities, promotes health and wellness within the community and serves as an example of environmental responsibility and stewardship.
Rules and Regulations
Safety and enjoyment go hand in hand at White Deer Park. The following regulations have been established to ensure the health and welfare of all our parks visitors.- Park hours: sunrise to sunset
- No alcohol, weapons, or fireworks allowed on park property
- No open fires: grill only in designated areas
- No unauthorized motorized vehicles on trails
- Pets must be kept on leashes at all times
- Pet owners must clean up pet waste
- Stay on designated trails for your safety and the protection of plants and animals
- Do not pick, remove or disturb plants or wildlife in the park
- Littering is illegal: dispose of trash in the appropriate containers
- Please dispose of recycling in the appropriate containers
- In the event of an emergency, call 911
White Deer Park Map
White Deer/Lake Benson Trails
| Park Hours Sunrise until sunset Nature Center Hours April - September October - March Closed on Sunday and Monday |
Rentals
White Deer Park's Nature Center Classroom and Learning Deck are available for rental when there are no scheduled Town of Garner activities. The Town of Garner has priority in scheduling the Nature Center for programs and events. The facility is available to groups and individuals by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please contact staff at White Deer Park by calling 919.661.6982.
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The Nature Center Classroom can accommodate up to 60 individuals with tables and chairs. |
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Fees
An hourly fee is charged for use of the Nature Center classroom and deck. This fee includes one staff person for facility supervision. Additional staff may be required based on event and attendance. Fees are as follows:
| Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | ||
| Town of Garner Resident Rate | $75/hr (3-hour minimum) | |
| Non-Resident Rate | $105/hr (3-hour minimum) |
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| Evening/Weekend Hours | ||
| Town of Garner Resident Rate | $85/hr (3-hour minimum) | |
| Non-Resident Rate | $119/hr (3-hour minimum) | |
| Refundable Security Deposit: | $150 per use | |
In the event of cancellation, a $25 cancellation fee will be deducted from the security deposit. Renters who cancel within 30 days of their event also forfeit their rental fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review the full rental policy here.
Q. How do I find out if a date is available?
A. Call the front desk at 919.661.6982. You can also view our calendar online. We require one hour between rentals and have a maximum of two rentals per day. Bookings must be made at least six weeks in advance and no more than six months in advance.
Q. What is included in the rental rate?
A. Your rental includes access to the indoor classroom and deck (during the time it is rented; be sure to build setup and teardown into your rental start and end time); an on-site facility attendant to answer any questions you may have; 13 rectangular buffet-style tables (72" long by 30" deep); 60 chairs.
Q. Do you provide linens?
A. No, you will need to provide your own linens.
Q. Do you have audio-visual equipment we can use?
A. No, AV equipment is not available for renters. We do have a projector screen, if you are interested in showing a slide show. You will need to provide your own laptop, projector and cords.
Q. Is alcohol permitted?
A. Alcohol is not permitted in the facility or the park. This is a Town of Garner ordinance.
Q. Do you have a preferred vendors list?
A. No, you are welcome to select your own. If you elect to have a food truck serve as your caterer, it is your responsibility to inform/remind them that they cannot sell to the general public in Town of Garner parks.
Q. What decorations are allowed?
A. We do not allow adhesives on our windows, walls or floors. There are hooks installed on the walls, which you are welcome to use to hang your decorations. Freestanding decorations are welcome.
Confetti is not allowed. Our floor is made of reclaimed wood, and confetti gets stuck between the planks.
Live flower petals may be used during your rental. Artificial petals may be used indoors only and must be cleaned up afterward.
Rice cannot be thrown inside or outside.
Candles are fine as long as they are attended by someone in your party at all times.
Be sure to include any time you need for decorations into your rental start time!
Q. Do you have a place we can get ready?
A. The only spaces we have for preparations are the public restrooms. You can also rent an adjacent shelter (Holly Shelter or Pine Shelter), if it is helpful to do so.
Q. Can we set up the night before?
A. Because our rates are hourly, you would need to reserve the previous night until 11:00 PM and the day of your event starting at 8:00 AM.
Q. Can we cover or remove the animals in the lobby?
A. No, the animals are on permanent display in the lobby. Guests who prefer not to see the live animals can access the classroom space from the deck.
Shelters can be reserved for your event. The cost for a White Deer Park shelter reservation is $25 per hour for Garner residents and $35 per hour for non-residents. A minimum of three hours is required. Reserve your shelter.
For shelter locations, click map to enlarge.
Pine Shelter
This shelter is located on the west side of the park, near the Nature Center.
Holly Shelter
This shelter is located on the west side of the park, near the Nature Center. It is close to the parking lot and bus drop-off area and has easy access to trails.
Maple Shelter
Located on the east side of the park, this shelter is near the traditional playground and has easy access to restrooms, trails and meadows.
Sweetgum Shelter
This shelter is located on the east side of the park nearest to the restrooms and has easy access to the playground, restrooms, trails and meadows.
Homestead Shelter
This shelter is located on the east side of the park near the original homestead site and has easy access to trails and meadows.
Group Programs
Register for a group program at White Deer Park to enjoy fun, hands-on learning experiences on a wide range of natural science topics. Programs can be customized to meet the needs of your group. Options include outdoor park exploration, live animal interactions, activities, crafts and more.
- Cost is $25 per program.
- Programs may be scheduled Monday-Friday. Weekend and evening availability varies.
- Programs are designed for 20 participants and run approximately 45 minutes.
- More than 20? We can schedule multiple programs or multiple days.
- One chaperone per 5 children is required.
- Group program and 2-hour shelter rental is only $55!
- Shelters hold up to 50 people.
- Each shelter has 8 picnic tables, a grill and an electrical outlet.
Group Program Information Packet and Registration Form
Please email at least one month in advance to plan your trip: mfisk@garnernc.gov
Have more than 20 students? We can schedule more than one program for your group. While one group of students is learning with an educator, others can explore the park, hike our trails, or play on the playgrounds! Additional programs are $25 each.
Group Program Topics - White Deer Park Classics
These classic topics focus on our native wildlife. Recommended grade for each topic is provided in description. We are happy to customize your program to work with any age group, including adults, or to meet your curriculum or badge objectives. Cost is $25 per program, plus materials fees if noted.
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Beginner Birdwatching: Learn about our native birds and use binoculars, books and bird calls to identify various species in the park. (K-5)
Home Sweet Habitat: What is a habitat? Visit our stream and fields to discover how animals make the homes they need. (K-5)
The Land We Live On: Learn about Native American culture and the history of the land we call home with our new hands-on interactive program. (3-8) |
Meet the Animals: Learn about native wildlife of the North Carolina piedmont through hands-on interaction with live and mounted animals. (PreK-8) Owl Odyssey: Discover these birds of prey through mounts, feather comparisons and owl pellet dissection. (1-8) ($1.00 extra per pellet.) The Path of Trash: Discover the impact of our waste on the environment. Explore topics like recycling, plastics, composting, and landfills. (K-8) |
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To view a full list of topics, take a look at the Group Program Information Packet and Registration Form.
Use the map below to determine if you are in the service area for White Deer Park nature outreach programs.
Subscribe to our e-newsletter and receive monthly emails about upcoming events and programs.
garnerprcr@garnernc.gov | 919-773-4442