The Conservatory opens to the public on February 27 with new social distancing and safety protocols in place
The Chicago Park District announces the reopening of Garfield Park Conservatory’s indoor gardens, starting on February 24 for neighbors and members, and February 27 to the general public, under public health safety and health guidelines. The Conservatory will start accepting reservations to visit its indoor garden spaces and global plant collection on Wednesday, February 10 (neighbors and members) and Friday, February 12 (general public) at 10 a.m. Timed-entry will be available during the new hours of operation; Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online registration will be available at garfieldconservatory.org/visit.
“We are eager to welcome everyone back to our historic greenhouse and have taken precautions to make everyone’s visit a worthwhile experience, and to provide reassurance and guidance as well as protect the health and safety of our staff and visitors alike,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO Michael Kelly.
“We want to safely offer the physical and mental health benefits of nature in our global plant collection this winter,” states Jennifer Van Valkenburg, President of the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance. “Nature provides proven physical and mental health benefits, especially during periods of stress.”
Safety Guidelines
The Conservatory aims to continue steadfast in its mission to connect people with nature safely through the flora and fauna found in its indoor green spaces. The facility will open at limited capacity based on the Chicago Department of Public Health and Illinois Department of Public Health Covid-19 health guidelines for implementing new business operation protocols. All visitors and staff are required to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose at all times and to social distance while touring the facility. To help ensure social distancing, the following rooms will be closed due to limited space and pathways: The Fern Room, Horticulture Hall, Jensen Room, and the Children’s Garden. The Outdoor Gardens are also closed for the season, until further notice. The District also urges patrons to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, avoid touching their face with unwashed hands and covering their noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing. Also, anyone who is feeling unwell should stay home, per Chicago Department Public Health order.
Reservations
Reservations are limited to 60 minutes for parties of up to five people and all visits must be pre-booked online, in advance for a specified date and time to manage the number of visitors. Entrances and exits will be clearly posted and visitor movement will be one-way throughout the Conservatory. At this time, reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance. Last entry is an hour prior to the scheduled closing time and no late entries will be allowed. The Park District and the Conservatory will closely monitor local and state guidelines regarding Covid-19 and inform the public of modifications to the above mentioned operations at garfieldconservatory.org/visit.
Important Dates:
Reservations
• Wednesday, February 10: Neighbors and members*
• Friday, February 12: General public
Reopening
• February 24-26: Neighbors and members*
• February 27: General public
*Postcards will be mailed to neighbors who live within a ½ mile of the Conservatory and dropped off at 28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin's office with information on how to register for the local neighbors and member preview. For more information about the preview, contact the Conservatory at 773-638-1766 or through email at visitors@garfieldpark.org.
2021 Spring Flower Show
Conservatory horticulture staff has been working hard on the design for the 2021 Spring Flower Show, which will launch as guests are welcomed back into the greenhouse. The Garfield Park Conservatory’s 2021 Spring Flower Show “Saturation” will be on display Saturday, February 27 through Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9. This year’s showcase will immerse visitors in virtually the entire spectrum in the rainbow. Instead of typical garden design, which incorporates a variety of colors scattered throughout the landscape, "Saturation" concentrates blooming flowers so that visitors will be able to see and understand the wide range of hues and tints within each color and enjoy their vivid, rich and intense nuances.
For information about venue rentals, visit garfieldconservatory.org/about-us/room-rental-information. Visit the online gift shop, which offers curbside pick-up only for all orders, at garfieldconservatory.org/visit/gift-shop.