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TRAFFIC DISRUPTION MARCH 24: the Around the Bay Race route will result in closed lanes along Plains Road W. and York Boulevard. Expect traffic delays and plan accordingly. Details at bayrace.com

All Outdoor Garden Areas Opening with Limited Hours in Phased Reopening

June 3, 2020

As part of a phased re-opening, Royal Botanical Gardens will be opening all outdoor garden areas to the public, beginning Friday, June 5. These areas include Hendrie Park, David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock GardenLaking Garden and the Arboretum. RBG Centre and the Rock Garden Visitor Centre will be open only to provide access to garden areas. Building amenities and areas such as the Mediterranean Garden remain closed to the public.

Regular 2020 admission rates apply and include access to all outdoor garden areas and parking, including RBG trailhead parking lots. Admission is provided on a first come, first serve basis. Visitors are asked to follow guidance of RBG staff and all directional and parking signs in order to alleviate lineups and crowding and maintain proper social distancing.

RBG recognizes the importance of connecting with nature during these times, however the safety of all guests, staff and volunteers remains a top priority, and as such access to each outdoor garden area will be provided through the following measures:

  • Admission at entry is limited to debit and credit transactions. General admission tickets are available online at rbg.ca but no priority access will be given to a pre-purchased ticket.
  • Express lines for members will be available at RBG Centre, Rock Garden and Arboretum entrances.
  • Please follow the directions of all parking signs to prevent crowding.
  • For everyone’s safety, please follow the guidance of all directional and social distancing signage, and instructions for washroom safety, while making your way through each garden area.
  • Some areas within each garden will remain closed to foot traffic in order to prevent crowding.
  • As RBG is a popular attraction during this time of year, and with added safety protocols, we appreciate our visitors’ patience and understanding as we may experience longer than usual wait times.
  • Last admission to each outdoor garden areas will be 4 p.m.
  • Dogs are permitted and must always be leashed. Please clean up after your pet.
  • RBG staff and volunteers will be following safety protocols and wearing PPE and recommend that our visitors do the same. For health and safety of our visitors, hand washing and sanitizing stations and washroom facilities accessible from the outdoors will be available on site.

Please see the FAQ at the bottom of this post for more specifics.

Hours

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission at 4 p.m.), 7 days a week

Admission Rates

  • Adult: $18
  • Senior / Student: $15
  • Child (age 4-12): $10
  • Family rate (2 adults and 2 children under age of 18): $40
  • RBG Members FREE

Prices include HST. Royal Botanical Gardens is the largest botanical garden in Canada, a National Historic Site, and a registered charitable organization dedicated to connecting people, plants and place. General admission fees support our efforts in areas like plant science, conservation, horticulture and education. To learn more and to contribute further, visit the donations page.

To Our Members

Entrance to all outdoor garden areas is included in your RBG membership. RBG Memberships will be extended for the period of the closure. We will be updating all members with specifics once normal operations have resumed. Should your membership have expired during this time, please use your current card for access to garden areas and RBG trailhead parking lots. Member services will be available at the RBG Centre entrances between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Safety in the Gardens and on the Trails

All visitors to Royal Botanical Gardens trails must follow Provincial measures and guidelines to allow them to remain open safely.

Such measures include:

  • Practice physical distancing by staying at least 2 metres (6 feet) apart from other visitors. Follow 1-way paths when indicated.
  • Step aside to allow others to pass.
  • Do not gather or arrange to meet friends or other groups.
  • Pets must be leashed at all times.
  • Please refrain from feeding wildlife.
  • Pack out what you pack in.
  • Bring your own water, sanitizer and PPE (personal protective equipment)

Regarding RBG’s Trails

Select trails in other RBG Nature Sanctuaries are open to the public. See the announcement for more information.

Re-Opening FAQ

What is the address / directions for each garden area?

Please note RBG’s four formal garden areas are located within 3 km of each other. Driving between garden areas is recommended. For new visitors, please see the full property map.

  • Hendrie Park: 680 Plains Road W. Burlington. Directions
  • Laking Garden: 1260 Spring Gardens Rd. Burlington. Directions
  • Rock Garden: 1185 York Blvd. Hamilton. Directions
  • Arboretum: 18 Old Guelph Road. Directions

Learn more at rbg.ca/directions

Will Parking Be Available?

Parking is available at all garden areas, included in your general admission or membership. Please note RBG’s four formal garden areas are located within 3 km of each other. Driving between garden areas is recommended. For new visitors, please see the full property map.

  • Hendrie Park: Parking available at RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road W. Burlington. Access to Hendrie Park will be available through the tunnel via RBG Centre. RBG Centre amenities and spaces including the Mediterranean Garden remain closed to the public.
  • Laking Garden: Parking is limited and available in the upper parking lot (off Plains Road W., West of RBG Centre) or Lower Parking Lot (along Spring Gardens Road)
  • Rock Garden: Parking is available at the Rock Garden main parking lot, located across the street from the garden (1185 York Boulevard) with limited accessible parking available near the garden’s entrance.
  • Arboretum: Parking available on site, at 18 Old Guelph Road.

How can I access each garden area?

In order to best facilitate social distancing and safe capacities, garden access and exit practices are outlined below:

  • Hendrie Park: Entry available through the Hendrie Park tunnel, accessible via the main doors at RBG Centre (680 Plains Road W.). Exit is also available through RBG Centre via Hinton Court (follow directional signage).
  • Laking Garden: Enter through the main kiosk gate (1260 Spring Gardens Rd. Burlington)
  • Rock Garden: Access to the Rock Garden Visitor Centre is restricted to one-way access to the Rock Garden (1185 York Blvd.). Visitor Centre amenities and spaces remain closed to the public. Visitors must exit the Rock Garden through the Dalglish Family Courtyard. Follow the on-site signage.
  • Arboretum: Admission is restricted to the garden’s main entrance off (16 Old Guelph Rd.)

Is there a cost to enter the gardens?

General Admission or Membership is required to access all formal garden areas. Admission is available upon arrival (limited to debit and credit transactions). General admission tickets are also available online, though priority access will not be given to a pre-purchased ticket.

General admission includes access to all 4 outdoor garden areas for the day, as well as parking in available RBG lots.

Will washrooms be available?

  • Hendrie Park: Public washrooms are available at the Turner Pavilion Teahouse (RBG Centre washrooms will not be available)
  • Laking Garden: Public Washrooms are available at the garden’s main entrance
  • Rock Garden: Public washrooms are available within the Rock Garden lower bowl located at the base of the Garden House, and the Visitor Centre
  • Arboretum: Portable washrooms will be available

Will there be guidelines for social distancing?

For the safety of all guests, staff, and volunteers, access to each outdoor garden area will be provided through the following measures:

  • Admission to garden areas will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Should a garden reach capacity, visitors will be asked to wait.
  • Installed directional signage provide one-way paths for visitors to reduce crowding and encourage social distancing. Some areas within each garden will remain closed to foot traffic.
  • Visitors are encouraged to limit their visit to a one-hour per garden area maximum in order to give others the opportunity to experience the beauty of Royal Botanical Gardens.
  • For visitor safety, benches will be available as rest areas. Please practice courtesy and give priority to elderly persons, persons with disabilities and pregnant women. Please practice social distancing while using benches. Benches will not be regularly sanitized.

Will food and beverage be available?

Enjoy light snacks and drinks while strolling the gardens! Limited menu items will be available in Hendrie Park (Turner Pavilion Teahouse) and at the Rock Garden Cafe.

For specific hours and menu, please see the Dining page.

Is there a time-limit to my visit?

Visitors are encouraged to limit their visit to a one-hour per garden area maximum in order to give others the opportunity to experience the beauty of Royal Botanical Gardens.

Can I purchase / renew my membership on site?

Membership representatives will be available to assist you at the entrance of RBG Centre during our altered hours of operation (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Will the RBG shuttle be available?

RBG’s shuttle bus will not be available for the 2020 season. Driving or biking between garden areas is recommended. Learn more and see a property map at rbg.ca/directions.

Are dogs permitted?

Leashed dogs are permitted in the gardens for a visit during regular operating hours. Please be responsible and clean up after your dog. Dogs must remain on-leash and on-trail at all times. Any pets found disrupting the garden other guests may be asked to leave.

Will any activities / tours be available during my visit?

At this time, tours and discovery programming will not be available. Check out the on-site signage to learn more about select collections!