Accessibility

The Garfield Park Conservatory is committed to providing a quality experience for all visitors. 

The Garfield Park Conservatory is committed to providing a quality experience for all visitors. If you would like to request an accommodation for an upcoming visit, please contact us at least 24 hours in advance by emailing visitors@garfieldpark.org or calling 773-638-1766. 

Please see below for a description of the accommodations and programs we have available for adults and children of various abilities. We strive to provide an array of options available to accommodate all visitors and we do not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission, access or employment. 

 

Entrance & Parking

The Conservatory has a free visitor parking lot with designated accessible parking spots located in the northeast corner. There are paved pathways from the parking lot to the building entrance, as well as ramps and a push button automated door.

Wheelchairs

We have a limited number of wheelchairs available for free use on site. Please call or email the Visitor Services team, preferably at least 24 hours before your reservation, at visitors@garfieldpark.org or 773-638-1766 to reserve a wheelchair for your visit. They are checked out with a photo ID on a first come, first served basis. 

Wheelchairs will be thoroughly wiped down between visitors. 

Groups

Group reservations are being accepted on select dates and times. Pre-registration is required.   If you’d like to book a student field trip or adult group visit with accommodations, please contact our School and Groups Coordinator at groups@garfieldpark.org or 773-638-1766 x25. 

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.

Due to its historic landmark status, the staircase leading to the Fern Room has not been renovated with a ramp or hand rails. Also worth noting, the pathway in this room transitions into 3-4 stepping stones at two points halfway around the room.

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.

Sensory Garden
The sensory garden is a large, raised bed that stands at about 3.5 ft tall. This raised bed houses our Carnivorous Plant Bog in addition to a variety of plants perfect for touching, smelling and examining closely.

Accessibility in Children's Spaces

(Weather Permitting) Play and Grow Garden
Our outdoor nature play space is appropriate for typically developing children under 8 years old, but is open to visitors of all abilities to explore. Most of the Garden is accessible by most mobility devices via paved and gravel pathways.

(Temporarily Closed) Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden
The Elizabeth Morse Children’s Garden has an elevator to provide access to the mezzanine level and slide entrance.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our volunteer program at the Conservatory offers a variety of programs for individuals of all abilities to join who share our passion for nature. 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, click here or contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@garfieldpark.org or 773-638-1777 x26.

Programs

The Conservatory has a wide variety of programming for the public and our staff is committed to providing engaging and educational experiences for all guests.  We will make accommodations based on visitor needs and abilities, and are happy to discuss our programs ahead of time should you have any questions or concerns. Autogenerated closed captioning is available at our virtual programs.  

For ASL or CART requests, please contact us at least two weeks prior to the start of the program. To request accommodations at programming, please contact Mattie Wilson at mwilson@garfieldpark.org or 773-638-1766 x. 16 

Resources

For those who experience sensory processing issues, sensory processing disorder, or for those on the autism spectrum, we offer Know Before You Go Guides! These guides are a written walk through of the space with photos and information about what you will encounter.

Indoor Gardens Know Before You Go Guide: Updated 3/25/21

We offer lots of different resources for groups, families and teachers in our resource center. If you have any questions about these lesson plans, scavenger hunts, and activities please contact our staff at groups@garfieldpark.org.

We also have a Texture Hunt specifically made for students with varying degrees of vision impairments.  If you’re interested in using this resource, please contact our School Programs staff at groups@garfieldpark.org for more information.