Garfield Park Conservatory set to open revamped Children’s Garden

Kids can once again play among the exotic plants of the Garfield Park Conservatory as the 118-year-old institution reopens its renovated Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden to the public on May 1, with tickets available starting Friday.

“The new EMG Garden reflects our commitment to creating spaces where every child can feel seen, inspired and connected to the natural world,” said Chicago Park District Supt. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa in a news release.

After 20 years of wear and tear on the original play area, the conservatory decided the space needed a makeover. Now, five years later, children can enjoy a variety of interactive zones, including a toddler area, an art and nature gallery, and a towering structure called the High-Biscus Climber. The 20-foot net climbing structure provides a panoramic view of the conservatory’s gardens and glasshouses.

Jennifer Van Valkenburg is president and CEO of Garfield Park Conservatory.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide this improved resource to the community,” she said in a statement. “We wanted to ensure it would be available for even more generations to experience a connection to nature year-round through immersive play and exploration.

The park district said the new garden, much of which was funded by private donations, is “designed for every child.”

It includes a play area for children with sensory disabilities to enjoy a quiet space while taking a break from the playtime chaos as well as a wheelchair-friendly spiral ramp. The conservatory also said that kits will be available for visitors who want sound-reducing headphones or other sensory-friendly tools.

The play area is at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., and will be open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reservations with timed ticket entry are required for all parents and children. Tickets are free for Chicagoans, members and children younger than 7. Non-Chicago residents must pay $10 for adults or $5 for those age 65 and older, as well as $5 for children ages 7 to 17.