Chicago Botanic Garden To Begin Charging For Admission

GLENCOE, IL — The Chicago Botanic Garden will begin to charge for admission next year for the first time since it was founded in 1972. The new fee for non-members will coincide with a reduction in the cost of parking, garden officials announced Friday.

Built on mostly unincorporated portions of land owned by the Cook County Forest Preserve district, the garden is owned by the county and operated by the Chicago Horticultural Society. The 385-acre attraction has seen a 43 percent increase in attendance over the past 10 years, according to a release.

Jean Franczyk, the garden's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement that the new admission fee and reduced parking fees will help cover the cost of maintaining the garden to meet the increase in demand while still providing accessibility.

“Nature is in demand,” Franczyk said. “We know that people live happier, healthier lives when they spend time in nature. People come to our Garden to surround themselves in beauty, find respite from the stress of today’s world and be inspired by nature."

Tickets will range from about $10 to $26, with discounts available for purchasing ahead of a visit and 2022 prices no higher than $24 for Cook County residents. Parking will remain free for members. For non-members, the rate will come down from $20-30 per car to a flat, yearround rate of $8.

Free or reduced-price tickets and parking will also be available for Chicago Botanic Garden members, teachers and school groups, active-duty military personnel, Illinois Link cardholders and others.

The garden will also offer 52 free admission days a year to align with other area museums and zoos. The schedule will include 14 free days during the peak spring and summer season and several holidays, according to the release.

RELATED: Glencoe, Cook County Discuss Annexation Of Chicago Botanic Garden

The new pricing scheme will bring the garden into alignment with similar gardens around the country, according to the news release.

The admission fee will include seasonal offerings such as Grand Tram Tour, Butterflies & Blooms, and the Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America.

Garden officials hope to incentive increased membership by offering benefits like priority access to ticketed events, discounted admission to special exhibitions and other events, as well as free parking and admission.

According to the horticultural society's annual report, taxpayers provided about $9 million of the district's $53 million in operating revenue last year.