Planning Your Gardens Event
The Gardens at SIUE is a beautiful outdoor venue, and the rewards of hosting your event in these natural surroundings may include a gorgeous day, a visit by white-tailed deer or, during the right time of year, a dazzling display of butterflies.
Where to Start
If you are interested in available dates for an event, please email Charlotte Dorethy at cdoreth@siue.edu, or call her at 618-650-3211. She will work with you to register your event and determine the necessary support and accommodations to make it a success.
The Gardens Center
The Gardens Center is located at 6 Arboretum Lane. It is open to the public and hours change seasonally. The Center provides office space for staff, classroom space, two public restrooms and storage space for volunteers. Whenever the building is open, the restrooms are available to the public. Scheduled events may use The Gardens Center but will be sharing the space with visitors who stop in to fill their water bottles or use the restrooms.
Parking
There are three parking areas at The Gardens which can accommodate up to 108 vehicles, including three slots for handicapped visitors. There is also space on the upper parking lot, near Treetop Bridge, which can be used by larger vehicles (e.g. buses). Additional parking is available nearby at P10, the Pool Lot, for large events.
Catering
The Gardens cannot provide food service, but catering can be arranged through SIUE Food Services, the preferred vendor for The Gardens. Contact Food Services at 618-650-3040.
Venues/Pricing
The Gardens offers several venues for your event. Non-university groups pay the flat fee for each venue for reservations of up to three (3) hours. Events that exceed the contracted time will be charged an extension fee as well as an additional per hour charge. The scheduled time includes time for set-up, photography, and clean-up. A $150 non-refundable security deposit is required for all events. Rehearsal fees may be scheduled on preceding day(s) for an additional fee.
Dates/Availability
Reservations are available April thru October, subject to blackout dates. Blackout dates include, but are not limited to, the SIUE Commencement Weekend, SIUE Homecoming Weekend and holiday weekends. Reservations can be made no earlier than six months in advance.
Favorite Venues
The Lantern
Our showcase venue, The Lantern, is striking during the day and night. Surrounded by the shade of our white pine grove and overlooking the Turtle Pond fountain, your event at The Lantern will be alive with the sights and sounds of nature. Accommodates 150 guests.
The Council Ring -- a stone-lined, circular meeting space nestled in the shade of our woodland shade stroll -- provides a rustic, natural setting.
