What’s happening at Matthaei Botanical Gardens – May 2021

Updated May 1, 2021:

COVID continues to have an impact on our operations.

The conservatory, gift shop, and display gardens at Matthaei—including the Gaffield Children’s Garden—are currently closed. Additionally, all in-person events and outreach activities will continue to be postponed until further notice.

The trails and natural areas at both Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum remain open for public use, daily sunrise to sunset. Please wear face coverings and abide by social distancing whenever visiting.

We are making plans to reopen both indoors and outdoors. According to university policy we may not open our indoor areas to the public if new cases in Washtenaw County exceed 70 per million, if there is a sustained 10% positivity rate for COVID-19, or if there are three consecutive days of +10% increase in cases of the virus. Until we fall below these numbers, we will not be able to welcome you indoors.

As for the outdoor garden spaces at Matthaei, we are working to reopen them, regardless of the indoor spaces. Please stay tuned. Indoors or out, our reopening plan includes offering scheduled visits to our members initially. After that, we will reopen to all others, also in a scheduled format.

Parking at Matthaei is now enforced. Please use the parking kiosks located at the main entrances to the Matthaei Visitor Center. Matthaei-Nichols members enjoy free parking. Follow instructions on the kiosks and enter your member number.

NOTE ABOUT NICHOLS ARBORETUM:

• The visitor center is closed

• We are not issuing permits for the spaces in front of the peony garden on Washington Hts.

When visiting the Arb or Matthaei, please observe the recommended distancing of 6 ft for your safety and that of other visitors, and wear a face covering. Read Univ Michigan updates here.