The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance’s mission is to change lives through the power of nature, and we are committed to being an inclusive nature education space.
Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens has a range of accessible features and accommodation options to welcome you during your visit. We strive for all visitors to feel welcome here. This page provides descriptions of what accommodations we provide to support your visit or participation in a program. If you would like a more detailed overview of what you’ll experience on a visit, please check out our social narrative (link opens in a new tab).
If you notice something is missing or if you have a question about accessibility, please contact [email protected] or call 773-638-1766 ext. 16. You can also make accommodation requests for a visit in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling 773-638-1766.
Getting Here
Entrance & Parking
The Conservatory & Gardens has a free visitor parking lot with three designated accessible parking spaces. Paved pathways connect the parking lot to the building entrance, with ramps and a push button automated door. It is roughly 400 feet from the lot to the lobby.
In front of the main entrance is a drop-off lane with cut curbs. Free street parking along Central Park Avenue and Lake Street is also available.
Getting Here
The Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens is at 300 N. Central Park Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. The CTA Green Line’s Conservatory/Central Park stop is ½ block south of the main entrance. This is an accessible station with a working elevator.
Bus options include:
- (north/south) #82 Kimball-Homan route is .4 miles east
- (east/west) #20 Madison Ave bus is .4 miles south
- (east/west) #66 Chicago Ave bus is .65 miles north
A Divvy bike station is near the visitor parking lot and bike racks are located by the main entrance.
On-Site
Amenities
A Gift Shop, which is in the Jensen Room during construction, has snacks and drinks available for purchase. Drinking and refill water stations are located in the Palm House. Wednesday – Sunday from 10am – 3pm, Momentum Coffee hosts a cart in Horticulture Hall with beverages and pastries for purchase. Outside food and drink is allowed in Horticulture Hall.
Benches are located throughout the indoor and outdoor gardens, in addition to the tabled seating in Horticulture Hall, Artist’s Garden and Bluestone Terrace.
Restrooms are located off Horticulture Hall in temporary restroom trailers during construction. There is a gender neutral/family restroom with an accessible stall in addition to gendered restrooms.
Wheelchairs
We have a limited number of wheelchairs available for free use on site. They are checked out with a photo ID on a first come, first served basis.
Wheelchairs are wiped down between visitors.
KultureCity Partnership
We partner with KultureCity®, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with sensory needs. Sensory bags are available to check out at the check-in area. Designated Quiet Areas rooms are unavailable during the lobby renovation; we recommend coming weekday afternoons if you want an experience with less people and noise.
Learn more about what to expect on your upcoming visit in the Social Story on the KultureCity® App. Download the app for Apple or Android.
Spaces
Indoor Greenhouses
The Conservatory has over 2 acres of gardens in 8 different display houses indoors. Seven of the eight houses have paved, even pathways that are accessible and provide access to our plant collection.
The Fern Room is not fully accessible. The staircase leading into the Fern Room has not been renovated with a ramp, due to historic landmark status, or handrails. Also, halfway around the room, the pathway transitions to 3–4 steppingstones to cross over a small stream.
Outdoor Gardens
The Conservatory has approximately 10 acres of outdoor gardens and winding pathways, many of which are paved. Some side pathways are gravel or sand and therefore not suitable for all mobility devices. Please note, active beehives are located on the south end of the campus mid-spring through mid-fall.
Children
Play and Grow Garden (Weather Permitting)
Our outdoor nature play space is appropriate for children under 8 years old, but is open to visitors of all abilities to explore. The Garden is partially accessible by most mobility devices via paved and gravel pathways. During active programming times, staff can have programming accessible from the paved pathway.
Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden
The Elizabeth Morse Children’s Garden is more than a play space, it’s a gateway that sparks creativity, curiosity and environmental stewardship with inclusive design elements that ensure every child can experience the joy and wonder of nature.
Programs & Groups
Programs
Programs include a drop-in format for families, concerts, classes and more! Our staff provide engaging and educational experiences for all guests. Many programs are designed with accessibility in mind and staff are happy to make accommodations as requested. Registration based programs include an accommodations request as part of the registration process.
Please contact us at least 72 hours prior to the start of the program, if not sooner, for accommodations requests. To request accommodations at programming, please contact [email protected] or call 773-638-1766 x 16.
Groups
If you’d like to book a student field trip or adult group visit with accommodations, please contact our School and Groups Coordinator at [email protected] or 773-638-1766 x25.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our volunteer program offers a variety of programs for individuals of all abilities to join who share our passion for nature. A range of adaptive gardening tools are available. We are happy to discuss any additional supports you may need for each program. For more information about our volunteer program and to complete an application, visit our volunteer page or contact our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or 773-638-1777 x26.
