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Reopening Plan and Health & Safety Measures Updated November 2, 2020 This webpage will be updated to keep you informed of any changes to Olbrich's services and policies throughout our gradual reopening process. Outdoor Gardens & Bolz Conservatory Now Open to the Public Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily
As of October 12, 2020, our 16-acre outdoor gardens and indoor tropical conservatory are both open to the public with a limit on the number of visitors admitted onto the property to provide space for physical distancing. The outdoor gardens are free and open to the public, while the Bolz Conservatory has a temporarily increased entrance fee of $6. This temporary fee increase was necessary to fund the extra staff needed to reopen the Conservatory. For those who may not be able to afford the increased entrance fee, donor-funded passes are available by asking the Conservatory cashier. The Growing Gifts Shop is currently open for in-person shopping. The store has a limited capacity and is taking appointments to shop. You can sign up for anytime between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily by phone (608-246-4710) or by email (jkessenich@cityofmadison.com). You can also sign in on the spot during your visit if there's available capacity at that time. The following public spaces at Olbrich remain closed:
PHOTOS (Outdoor only) : Engagement/senior/family/wedding/maternity/etc. photos require a pre-approved photo permit. The need for a permit is based on what you are doing (using the outdoor gardens as a studio/backdrop for posed photography), not who is taking the photos (friend, family, or professional). Limited times are available; please see our Photo Policy webpage for more info. You can download a Photo Permit application here.
Things To Know Before Your Visit Please be patient with us and know that some of these procedures and guidelines may change as we progress through our reopening process. Have a question that's not answered below? Read our Reopening FAQ. Please contact us at 608-246-4550 or olbrichinformation@cityofmadison.com with any further questions. Stay Home If Sick Please do not visit if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of COVID-19. Physical Distancing Please keep at least 6' apart at all times from others not in your household. Face Coverings Face coverings are required when indoors, including inside the Bolz Conservatory (Public Health Madison & Dane County Emergency Order #8). We strongly encourage the use of face coverings in the outdoor gardens, especially where 6' of physical distance cannot be maintained. Face shields alone do not satisfy the face covering requirement. Limited Visitors To ensure space for physical distancing, the number of visitors admitted into the outdoor gardens & Bolz Conservatory will be limited and you may be asked to wait to enter. Once in the gardens/conservatory, there is no time limit on your visit, and you may stay for as little or as long as you would like. Garden Paths While most of the gardens remain open, some paths have been changed to one-way only or closed entirely. Please follow all signage in the gardens and stay on open paths only. Restrooms Restrooms are open and available for public use, but will be closed at times for scheduled cleaning and disinfecting. Lobby Please keep time spent in the lobby to a minimum, unless using the restrooms, shopping in the gift shop, or receiving service at one of the desks. Water Drinking fountains have been turned off, but a bottle filler station is available and working if you have your own water bottle to fill. Wheelchairs & Scooters Wheelchairs & electric scooters are available to check out on a first-come, first-served basis. There may be a wait to use them, as they will need to be disinfected after each use. Tram Service Tram service has been suspended indefinitely. Seating All seating has been removed in the lobby, and some seating has been removed in the outdoor gardens and Bolz Conservatory where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Severe Weather In the event of severe thunderstorm warnings or tornado warnings, Olbrich Botanical Gardens may close to visitors. The facility is unable to provide storm shelters for large numbers of visitors without compromising the ability to maintain physical distancing.
Measures We're Taking to Keep You Safe Hand Sanitizer Hand sanitizing stations are available for visitor use as they enter and exit the gardens. Scheduled Cleaning Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected at scheduled intervals in accordance with CDC and county guidelines. In addition, every other sink and urinal in restrooms will be covered. Staff Face Coverings Staff and volunteers are required to wear face coverings in indoor areas that are open to the public. Staff wear face coverings in the outdoor gardens when physical distancing is not possible. Protective Barrier Transparent plastic shields have been added at service desks to create a barrier between visitors and staff.
Resources & Information: Wisconsin Department of Health Services Coronavirus Webpage Public Health Madison & Dane County Coronavirus Webpage
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Olbrich Botanical Gardens is operated as a public-private partnership between the City of Madison Parks Division and the Olbrich Botanical Society.
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