Reader Rock Garden bookings

Book Reader Rock Garden

Just a short distance from downtown, Reader Rock Garden provides a beautiful setting for your wedding, wedding party or family photos.

Bookings for 2024 are now closed. Booking requests for 2025 will open October 15, 2024.

Booking Information

The Main Lawn

Information:

Overlooking the downtown skyline and adjacent to the beautifully restored Reader house, this flat, grassy area is surrounded by seasonally blooming plants making it an ideal location for an outdoor wedding or reception.

Features:

  • Chairs are permitted, but not provided
  • Power available

Capacity:

Up to 80 people

Rate*:

$757.12

*Three-hour booking, including set-up, take-down and photography permit.

* A $5.75 risk management fee applies to all bookings/rentals.

The West Garden

Information:

This gradually sloping grassy area features a nearby waterfall making it an ideal location for a small, intimate, stand-up wedding. The West Garden is exceptionally beautiful in May when the apple blossoms are in bloom.

Features:

  • Chairs are not permitted due to slope

Capacity:

Up to 80 people

Rate*:

$540.80

*Three-hour booking, including set-up, take-down and photography permit.

* A $5.75 risk management fee applies to all bookings/rentals.

Nana's Garden

Information:

Lovingly designed by Reader for his wife, this warm, sunny, private location is perfect for a small gathering. Access to Nana’s Garden is via rock pathways, sensible footwear is recommended.

Features:

  • Surrounded by rose bushes
  • Chairs are permitted, but not provided

Capacity:

Up to 50 people

Rate*:

$432.64

*Three-hour booking, including set-up, take-down and photography permit.

* A $5.75 risk management fee applies to all bookings/rentals.

The Western Slope

Information:

Imagine walking down a private aisle through a natural cathedral of towering trees and flowers. This is what makes the Western Slope the perfect spot for small weddings. The Western Slope is accessible via pathways from Union Cemetery or other Garden areas.

Features:

  • One of the oldest trees in Calgary
  • Chairs are permitted, but not provided

Capacity:

Up to 80 people

Rate*:

$540.80

*Three-hour booking, including set-up, take-down and photography permit.

* A $5.75 risk management fee applies to all bookings/rentals.

Public Photography Permit

Information:

Permit holders are permitted to take photos in all areas of the garden, but access is shared with public park visitors. If a lawn is booked for an event, access will be denied to that area.

Capacity:

Up to 80 people

Rate*:

$56.24/hour

*Maximum three-hour booking. A $5.75 risk management fee applies to all bookings/rentals.

Private Photography Permit

Information:

Permit holders receive exclusive use of one chosen lawn that will be blocked off for photos and will have shared access to other lawns for photos.

Capacity:

Up to 80 people

Rate*:

$168.73/hour

*Maximum two-hour booking. A $5.75 risk management fee applies to all bookings/rentals.

Booking information and details

Venue Guidelines

To preserve the fragile surroundings of this historic site, bookings are only available May 1 – September 30 on a limited basis. Bookings can only be requested for the current calendar year. Bookings open October 15 for the following year. A permit is required to host an event or take photos. The permit holder is responsible for ensuring attendees follow the conditions of use, and garden etiquette. The permit will specify which lawn is included in the booking. The lawns are unavailable for exclusive use bookings from 11:00am - 2:00pm. As the Reader Rock Garden is a public City of Calgary Park, please expect school groups and/or the general public to be enjoying the garden at the same time as a booking.

Conditions of Use

  • A lawn booking is for three hours total. Set-up, take-down and event must occur within the three-hour booking time.
  • Public photography permits are limited to a maximum of three hours. This permit is self-serve, with no staff assistance.
  • Private photography permits are limited to a maximum of two hours.
  • A list of all items to be brought in are to be submitted to the Rental Coordinator for approval, 4 weeks prior to the event.
  • Chairs and other rentals are not provided. Garden benches are not to be moved. Rental drop-off, set-up, and take-down are the responsibility of the permit holder. All items are to be delivered and picked up within the booking times listed on the permit. Pathway access will be provided for drop-off/pick-up but is limited to 20 minutes. Storage is not available.
  • Items not approved include but are not limited to generators, glassware, lanterns, open flame, flower petals, bird seed, rice, confetti, balloons, and bubbles. Items that penetrate or block air flow to the grass are not permitted, including but not limited to staked tents, runners, carpets, mats, dance floors, arches.
  • Signage may not be staked in the ground, flower beds or attached to infrastructure within the garden. Sandwich boards can be provided.
  • Access to washrooms in the basement of the Reader’s Garden Cafe are provided for lawn bookings and private photography permits.
  • Music is permitted on site. Volume must align with current community standard bylaws.
  • All bookings must adhere to Parks bylaws.
  • Groups must have the permit with them on the day of the booking/event. Groups are to ensure that they only use the areas as listed on the permit.
  • Catering is only permitted for bookings on the Main Lawn through the Reader’s Garden Café.
  • The permit holder is responsible for any event related damage and will be charged a minimum $100 fine for excessive waste.
  • The City of Calgary Parks is not responsible for loss or damages. We reserve the right to limit and/or decline bookings.

Garden Etiquette

Adhering to the rules will ensure the protection of the Garden’s valuable plant collection and historical features.

  • It is prohibited to disturb any part of the garden including plant collection, seed collection, fruit or flower picking and removal of any plants. 
  • Visitors are required to always stay on designated trails and grassy areas of the garden. 
  • Garden visitors must exercise caution when walking the pathways due to their sloped and uneven nature. Please wear appropriate footwear.  
  • Animals in the garden are wild, do not disturb or feed them. 
  • Pets are not permitted in the garden. 
  • Be considerate of all other visitors to the garden.

Parking

  • Public parking is available on the west side of the Garden with access from 25th Avenue SE. This parking lot has limited spaces and is shared with Café diners and park visitors.
  • Guests must walk up to the Café or their reserved lawn using the pathways.
  • Erlton/Stampede C-Train station is a short 5-minute walk to Reader Rock Garden.
  • Two accessible parking spots are available beside Reader’s Garden Café on a first come, first served basis. 

Reader’s Garden Cafe

  • Please visit http://readersgardencafe.ca for more information.
  • The Café has a Bride’s Room available for Garden booking clients. Please speak with the Café directly regarding availability and cost.
  • Café access, including the porch is excluded from all bookings, including photography permits.

Weddings & Special Events

The fragrant gardens, views of downtown Calgary, the serenity of ponds and quaint streams provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony or special event! 

Lawn  Rental Rate* (3-hours)  Maximum Capacity  Additional Information 
The Main Lawn  $787.40  80  Chairs are permitted, but not provided. Electrical outlet available at base of gazebo. 
The West Garden  $562.43  80  Standing only. Chairs are not permitted due to slope. 
Nana’s Garden  $449.95  50  Surrounded by rose bushes. Chairs are permitted, but not provided. 
The Western Slope  $562.43  80  One of the oldest trees in Calgary. Chairs are permitted, but not provided. 

*3-hour booking includes set-up, take-down, and photography permit. A $5.75 risk management fee will apply. Fees are subject to change. 

*A $5.75 risk management fee will apply. Fees are subject to change. 

  • All bookings include a photography permit for the duration of the booking. Photos may be taken anywhere within the garden but permit holder will only receive exclusive access to the booked lawn during booking time. 
  • Lawns are not available for bookings 11:00am - 2:00pm. 
  • Set-up and take-down time are to be included within the booked hours. 
  • Bookings do not include any rehearsal time. 
  • Rental of the lawn does not include access to use of the Bride’s Room in the Café. 

Payment Schedule 

  • A $150 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a specific date, due 14 days after booking is confirmed. 
  • Remaining balance is due 45 days after booking is confirmed. 
  • In the instance an event takes place less than 45 days from confirmation the full payment is required at the time of booking confirmation.

Cancellation Policy 

  • Cancellation with a refund, minus the non-refundable deposit, is available up to 45 days after booking is confirmed. Cancellation is required in writing, sent to parksvenues@calgary.ca. The $150 deposit is non-refundable. Failure to observe this deadline will result in no refunds being issued. Last-minute changes may not be accommodated based on staff availability. 

Photography Permits

Reader Rock Garden is one of Calgary's most unique cultural landscapes featuring rock pathways, bridges, benches, and beautiful flowers. The designated provincial historic resource provides a beautiful backdrop for engagement, wedding, or family photos. A photo permit must be purchased prior to taking photos in the Reader Rock Garden and the permit holder must have the permit with them during their booking. 

Permit Type  Cost* (per hour)  Maximum Duration  Access 
Public Photo Permit  $56.24  3 hours  Permitted to take photos in all areas of the garden, but access is shared with public park visitors. If a lawn is booked for an event, access will be denied to that area. 
Private Photo Permit  $168.73  2 hours  One chosen lawn will be blocked off for photos, with shared access to other lawns for photos. 

*A $5.75 risk management fee will apply. Fees are subject to change. 

Payment Schedule 

  • Full payment of permit is due 14 days after the booking is confirmed. 
  • In the instance a booking takes place with less than 14 days from confirmation the full payment is required at the time of booking. 

Cancellation Policy 

  • Photography Permits are non-refundable. Public Photo Permits may be rescheduled with a 14-day notice in writing to parksvenues@calgary.ca. Private Photo Permits may not be rescheduled. 

Ready to book the Reader Rock Garden? Fill out a request.

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