Gardens have long been places of healing, tranquility, and beauty — especially during times of crisis. The global coronavirus pandemic has thrown into sharp relief a renewed appreciation for the importance of a connection to the natural world.
To help ensure safety for all visitors, advance online ticketing for various arrival times is required, with a limited number of tickets available for each arrival time. Advance tickets are required for admission, and no walk-ins will be allowed. Members must also reserve their tickets online, as their free admission will count towards the total number of tickets available during each time slot.
Take note of these important safety protocols:
- Do not visit the Gardens if you are ill or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Follow all social distancing recommendations, maintaining a six-foot distance between you and other guests and staff.
- The State of Maine has mandated wearing a face covering in all public settings. At the Gardens, visitors are required to wear face coverings at all times, except when eating or drinking.
- Follow all posted safety protocols, including directional signage and limitations to the number of guests allowed in contained areas.
- As of May 1, 2021, visitors to the state of Maine are generally no longer required to receive a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for 10 days. However, the Maine CDC may determine that a specific state is high risk and re-apply its test or quarantine requirement to visitors from that state. Visitors should ensure their state remains exempt before travelling.
Changes around our campus:
The Market and Snack Shack will be open and serving beverages and pre-packaged sandwiches and snacks, all prepared onsite. The Gardenshop will also be open. There is a limit to the number of guests allowed in these indoor spaces at one time; please pay attention to posted signage.
In the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden, please note that the following features are closed or unavailable until further notice:
- The Story Barn
- Coloring Cottage
- Sand pit and accompanying toys and materials
- Watering cans
- Whale sculptures
- Fairy Fridays will not be held this season.
There will be no horticultural therapy programming this year due to the high-risk population served and a fundamental inability to deliver with socially distanced practices.
Those who would like to use a guest pass or are eligible for one of the Gardens’ complimentary visiting days, like Boothbay Resident Days, please call CMBG to reserve your complimentary ticket(s).
Connecting people to plants and nature is at the heart of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ mission—a connection that’s become more important than ever. This year, large popular events, such as the annual Symposium, will be offered online.
