Reserve Now

Reservations are honored on a first-come, first-serve basis. Two things are needed to secure a reservation: the reservation form and the non-refundable down payment. Keep reading for more information. Reservations cannot be made more than 365 days in advance. See the FAQ at the bottom of the page for more information.

Step 1: Check Availability

To check availability, visit the calendar link: *Environmental Learning Center Reservation Calendar

>>> 2027 RENTERS >>> Note for spring - early fall renters: since the ELC is located within the active Savage Community Park, as a courtesy, we have tried to list active weekends for the pickleball courts or ball fields at the bottom of this page. While we cannot reserve parking for the ELC, we do our best to accommodate our renters.

Step 2: Fill out the appropriate Reservation Form

Reservation Forms:
Wedding Package Application
Standard/Business Applications

McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center hours available for reservation are between 7 a.m. -11 p.m. Events should conclude by 10 p.m. All reservations need to be cleaned up and out of the building by 11 p.m. We do recommend reviewing the ELC Terms and Conditions along with making your reservation.

Step 3: Submit your Reservation Application & Pay the Non-Refundable Down Payment

Submission Options:

Option 1: In Person Reservation at Savage Public Works (Best Option)

Public Works office, 13770 Dakota Ave S., hours are Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm. Please enter our main office off of Connelly Parkway.
We accept cash, check, or card payments in office.

*This option is given priority over the other options; if someone comes in person to book a reservation before we check the mail or drop box, we will honor the in person reservation first.

Option 2: 24-Hour Drop Box at Savage Public Works

There is a secure 24-hour drop box in the entry for dropping off a completed form and check payment. To total your exact down payment amount in advance, call the Parks and Recreation office, 952-224-3420.

Checks can be written to the "City of Savage", memo "ELC Down Payment". Please do not put cash in the drop box. We cannot take payments over the phone.

Option 3: Mail form and a check to Savage Public Works

Savage Public Works
Attn: ELC Payment
13770 Dakota Ave S
Savage, MN 55378

Checks can be written to the "City of Savage", memo "ELC Down Payment". Please do not put cash in the drop box. We cannot take payments over the phone.

Additional Notes to Know:

Final payments for all events, with the exceptions of weddings, will be due 60 days prior to the event (for those who booked their reservation in 2025, we are still honoring the 30 days prior due date for your reservations). Wedding Package final payments will remain due 90 days before the event.

*Please make note, per our policy, we are a first come first serve facility. The Reservation Form and Down Payment together secures your reservation. If a guest does come in with both items before you, you may lose your date. We cannot "hold a date" or "pencil you in".

If you are a tax-exempt non-profit organization, the City of Savage will need documentation on file to grant those fees. Please include tax-exempt documentation with your application. Non-profit does not always automatically grant tax-exemption.

Please note: reservations are not finalized without the non-refundable down payment. (See next step).

**Community Park Busy Dates for 2027:

May 1-3: Ball Tournament
June 4-6: Ball Tournament
June 18-20: Dan Patch Pickleball Tournament (ELC Closed for reservations)
June 23-27 Dan Patch Days (ELC Closed for reservations)
July 16-18 Ball Tournament (ELC Closed for reservations)
July 17-19 Ball Tournament
July 23-25 Ball Tournament
Aug. 21 City Shred Day
Aug. 22 Food Truck Festival
Oct. 3-5 Fall Pickleball Tournament (ELC Closed for reservations)
Oct. 9 Savage Art Festival
Oct. 16 Halloween Bash 2027

*this schedule is subject to change at anytime.

McColl Pond ELC Reservations/Appointments | 952-224-3420
Email | elcinfo@ savagemn.gov

FAQs

Am I able to bring in my own wine, beer, or liquor?

Yes, you may bring in alcoholic beverages, including kegs of beer. Alcoholic beverages may be served to, and consumed by, guests aged twenty-one (21) years of age or older in compliance with state laws, regulations and city ordinances, but shall not be sold without a valid temporary on-sale license for beer and/or wine issued by the City. No glass is allowed on the outdoor patio.
Are there cooking facilities on site at the ELC?

The facility is set up for catered or potluck type of events. There is no cooking equipment at the ELC. There is a small refrigerator onsite.
Can I bring in outside entertainment?

Yes, however please note that if they are playing music outside, they must conclude by 10 p.m.
Can I bring my own food?

Anything from family potluck to full catering is allowed at the McColl Pond ELC. All caterers must be licensed with the Minnesota Department of Health and abide by all applicable laws and regulations. Renter is required to provide contact information for all professional or commercial caterers/restaurants to the City of Savage. If you hire a caterer, please make sure they fill out this form and return it to Savage Parks and Recreation 30 days prior to the Date of Use. Caterers who will be supplying or selling alcohol must abide by all state laws, regulations and city ordinances.
Does my reservation time include set-up and clean-up time?

All set-up time and clean-up time must be included in the billable reservation time. McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center hours available for reservation are between 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. All reservations need to be cleaned up and out of the building by 11 p.m.

Wedding Package Only: Your reservation does include two additional hours (7-9 p.m.) for set up or a groom’s dinner the night before your event, or you can use this time to clean up the next morning (8-10 a.m.). All subject to availability. Some restrictions may apply.
How do I pay my balance?

In-person:
Savage Parks & Recreation
Public Works, 13770 Dakota Ave., Savage
Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

24-hour Drop Box:
Public Works, 13770 Dakota Ave., Savage

Pay Online >

Payments cannot be taken over the phone.
How do I secure my reservation?

To secure a reservation at the McColl Pond ELC, the appropriate reservation application and the reservation down payment of 50% of the total balance is required to hold the rental. The reservation down payment is non-refundable but is applied toward the final balance due. Reservation applications can be found on the Reserve Now tab.

Priority is given to in-person reservation requests, before the other options: a filled form and check submitted via the Public Works 24-hour drop box, orby mail.

For Standard Reservations & Business Reservations, final payments are due 60 days prior to the Date of Use. For Wedding Package Reservations, final payments are due 90 days prior to the Date of Use. Renter may lose use of the facility, and rental agreement may be voided, if balance due is not received when due prior to Date of Use.
How far in advance can I make a reservation for the McColl Pond ELC?

Reservations can be made one year in advance to the date. If you are hoping for a date in the future that lands on a weekend during the current calendar year, you will not be able to make the reservation until the next business day.
Example: if you wanted to reserve June 7, 2027, since June 7, 2026 lands on a Sunday, you would not be able to make a reservation until our next business day; Monday, June 8, 2026.

To check building availability, please visit this link: ELC availability. It is important to note that where there is a blue box, or blue dot, with a time frame listed that means that there IS a reservation. A 1 hour buffer between reservations is required.

If you need further assistance, please call our office at 952-224-3420.
Is smoking or vaping allowed on site?

The ELC is a TOBACCO-FREE FACILITY and the use of tobacco products of any kind are prohibited throughout the ELC building, patio, and surrounding area except only as permitted in the designated areas of the ELC parking lot.
Is smoking tobacco allowed on site?

All City facilities are tobacco-free. There is a designated smoking area at the east side of the back parking lot, identified by signage.
Is there a staff person at the facility during my event?

May - October: One to two staff members may be on site for assistance during your event.

November - April: there are no staff members on site for your reservation. Any needs will have to be discussed prior to your reservation.
What are renters clean-up responsibilities?
- You will be given a Check-out List when you pick up your key for your reservation (week of your reservation).
- All garbage needs to be gathered and taken out to the garbage shed structure on the north side of the facility. Renter does not need to do anything with outdoor patio trash.
- Clean tables and chairs and return to storage closet.
- Sweep and mop floors as needed. Cleaning supplies are included and are on site.
- Bathrooms should be wiped down and garbage removed.
What are the dimensions of the Aspen room?

The Aspen room is 39' x 43', 1677 square feet, with vaulted ceilings.
What can I decorate?
- Table top decorations, floor and window accents are encouraged.
- Candles are permitted when used in a fire-safe, enclosed container.
- Affixing items to the walls, ceilings, windows or other building elements is strictly prohibited.
- Fog/smoke machines are prohibited.
- No confetti, streamers, birdseed, rice, glitter, sand, silly string, or fresh flower petals are allowed in the ELC or outside on the grounds.
- Tables, chairs, and furniture of any kind from inside the building is not allowed to be moved outdoors for any reason. Moving these items outside could result in damage to the floor of the ELC. The renter could be liable for covering the cost of such damage if this policy is not followed.
Where do I pick up/drop off the key?

An email notifying you that your reservation key is ready is typically sent out on Monday or Tuesday.

The renter is responsible for picking up the key from the Parks and Recreation office at the Public Works building at 13770 Dakota Ave., during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. For weekend events, keys will need to be picked up during the week, before Friday at 3:30 p.m. unless other arrangements are made.

More FAQs