With 13 acres of woodland accented by perennial, shade, butterfly, and water gardens, Hatcher Garden is the perfect locale for your event. From birthdays and weddings to family reunions, anniversary parties, and more, imagine your celebration here.
Event Spaces
The following areas in Hatcher Garden are available for event use:
Garden of Hope
and Healing
A harmonious event backdrop with an arbor, sand garden, and pavilion.
Gazebo
Tucked between perennial beds and the Conifer Collection near the garden entrance.
Jess Taylor Pavilion
An amenable gathering space with picnic tables and event-friendly facilities.
John A. Nevison Amphitheater
Surrounded by azaleas and river birches near the creek that feeds into the lower pond.
THE PARK AT HATCHER GARDEN
A spacious grassy lawn, perfect for larger events.
Stone Patio & Waterfall
Recently redone and surrounded by noble trees and a cathedral ceiling of greenery.
The PaVILION
Tucked in the back of the Garden on the Mary Black Foundation Woodland Trail, this pavilion sits under a gorgeous tree canopy.
CHILDREN’S GARDEN GATHERING AREA
Just across the Children’s Garden Bridge (an excellent focal point for celebrations), lies this spacious area cobbled with stone pavers.
THE Activities Deck
The newest addition to the Mary Black Foundation Woodland Trail. This beautiful wooden deck sits in an open space in the forest.
OVERLOOK TERRACE
Replacing the Observation Deck, this stone paved terrace commands a view of Lower Pond and lower garden area, flanked by Josephine Hatcher Woodland Garden and a copse of camellias.
Ready to book?
Please click below and complete the form to submit your event rental request. We recommend booking in advance, as dates fill up quickly. A Hatcher Garden staff member will follow up with you once you have submitted the event rental request.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
The rental party must abide by any additional verbal restrictions placed during the event. Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve reserves the right to cancel or terminate the event at any time should the party fail to comply with verbal instructions or the following guidelines:
1) No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the garden without prior approval of the Board of Trustees of Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve. If alcohol use is approved, the rental party must engage paid security through the City of Spartanburg’s off-duty officer plan. This must be done through Extra Duty Solutions, and the current rate is $38 per hour with a 3-hour minimum. This rate is set by the City and is subject to change at their discretion. Written confirmation of the security arrangement must be provided to Hatcher staff two weeks before the date of the event.
2) No fires, candles, or grilling are permitted in the garden.
3) Children in the garden must be attended by an adult at all times.
4) All event attendees must remain on pathways.
5) Moving garden furniture is prohibited unless (a) advance permission is received from the garden office and (b) it is returned to the exact location.
6) Please ensure that Hatcher Garden staff is aware of all set up for your event, including tents, chairs, tables, bounce houses, and other items brought in to the Garden. Tents, chairs, and tables are the responsibility of the rental party. Due to limited garden staffing absolutely no setups are provided by the garden staff members. Hatcher Garden will not be held liable for personal injury, property damage, or theft of items brought in by the rental party.
a. Please limit set up to the location(s) stated in your rental agreement.
b. Tents, chairs, tables, etc. may not block the entrance of the Garden or be placed in handicapped parking spaces.
c. For large tents (exceeding 10 feet), it is required by the City of Spartanburg to have a fire extinguisher at two corners of the tent.
d. Bounce houses must be approved by Hatcher Garden staff.
7) No dangerous activity will be allowed, and no activity damaging to the garden property will be allowed.
8) Signs and decorations may be used to indicate that a private event is progress as long as they are removed from the garden after the event. The use of confetti, bubbles, or rice is not permitted in the garden; however we do allow birdseed to be used during special events.
9) Free parking is available in designated areas only. For events involving seventy- five (75) or more vehicles, special arrangements must be made for parking and include security through Extra Duty Solutions (see Guideline 1 regarding security information).
10) For dressing rooms, very basic restroom facilities are available in the Jess Taylor Pavilion by the parking lot.
CANCELLATIONS AND DEPOSIT REFUNDS
Event fees are fully refundable in the event of cancellation or inclement weather causing cancellation. Once the rental event has occurred and a “grounds condition assessment” has been completed by a Hatcher Garden staff member, if there is no damage to the grounds in the area where the rental event was held, the pre-paid deposit will be refunded with a check to the event renter within two weeks after the date of the scheduled event.