See for Yourself!
If you're planning a first-time visit, or if it has been awhile since you’ve stopped by, prepare to be amazed! The grounds are open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year, and admission is free. During the 2020 pandemic, visitors are welcome to walk the paths and trails but are asked to practice social distance by observing CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other individuals at all times. Free parking in any of The Gardens parking lots off Arboretum Lane is available for community and university visitors. No parking permit is required.
Background of The Gardens
The Gardens at SIUE is a 36-acre public botanical garden, located east of the core area of the SIUE campus off North University Drive. For GPS navigation, enter “6 Arboretum Lane, Edwardsville, Illinois.” For cyclists, The Gardens can be accessed from the Delyte Morris Bikeway.
The property, established in 1990 as the Donal Myer Arboretum, is maintained by the University for the enjoyment of University and community visitors. The Gardens features a half-mile walking path, a wide variety of native trees and plants, a butterfly garden, an English cottage garden, wind sculpture garden, prairie garden, Japanese theme garden area with a pergola, wooden bridge over Turtle Pond, and more.
In 2004 The Gardens at SIUE was one of the three Metro East public gardens selected to participate in the Signature Garden program of the Missouri Botanical Gardens (MOBOT), and it received positive MOBOT reviews for the next 11 years. The program was discontinued in 2015.The Gardens has also been recognized as one of the Best College Arboretums by Best College Reviews.
Maps
Maps are available at the information kiosk as you enter The Gardens from Treetop Bridge off Arboretum Lane (upper parking area).
Trails
Our half-mile paved loop is a great way to experience The Gardens. The loop path and Turtle Pond Bridge are ADA accessible. The Shade Stroll path, a mulched path, takes visitors through the woodland area to explore understory plantings and the Council Ring.
We ask that you not pick the flowers or make collections of any kind. Explore and enjoy the grounds, but please leave what you find.
The Gardens Center
Open most Tuesday and Thursday mornings for volunteer purposes, and during special event weekends. Closed in December, January, February.
The Gardens Center is the main hub of activity for The Gardens volunteers. Feel free to stop by and fill your water bottle, use our restrooms or just say hello anytime the building is open.
Programs and Tours
We offer seasonal activities and nature education classes for campus and community visitors. Check our Facebook page for more information. We also assist school classes, Scout groups, and garden clubs with visits to The Gardens, as well as other community groups of 15 or more. It is important to register any large group events, including weddings, with the Educational Outreach at 618-650-3210 so that we can coordinate group visits with other activities.
Pets
Dogs (no other pets) are welcome to visit The Gardens, but please keep them on a leash. We also ask that you pick up after your pet.
