COVID-19 Changes

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 that end, Gardens staff have been hard at work on a plan to welcome guests back safely.

To help ensure that safety, 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. Those who would like to use a guest pass or are eligible for one of the Gardens’ complimentary visiting days, please call CMBG to reserve your complimentary ticket(s).

Please keep in mind these important new safety protocols:

• Follow all social distancing recommendations, maintaining a six-foot distance between you and other guests and staff.
• Visitors are required to have face coverings handy, wearing them indoors at all times, including in restrooms, and outdoors whenever social distancing is difficult to maintain.
• Follow all posted safety protocols, including directional signage and limitations to the number of guests allowed in contained areas.
• Do not visit the Gardens if you are ill or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Some pathways are now one-directional.
• Please note that all State of Maine CDC guidelines need to be met by Gardens visitors, including the State’s 14-day quarantine requirement for those coming into Maine. Please also note that Maine has lifted the quarantine requirement for residents sine states. Residents of other states who have had a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours may also visit without a quarantine period.

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.

The Kitchen Garden Café with sit down service will be closed. The Bosarge Family Education Building and bathrooms are closed. The Landing, including arrivals by boat, is closed.

There will be no shuttle service or Accessible Cart Tours at this time. Please note that some benches have been removed, as they cannot be sanitized to the same standard that our staff is upholding throughout other sections of the Gardens.

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
• Tidely Idley
• Treehouse
• Watering cans
• All Back Woods features
• 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.

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. Until it is safe once again to gather in larger numbers, the Gardens will continue to offer selections from CMBG at Home, an online initiative helping garden lovers grow their knowledge safely. This year, large popular events, such as the annual Symposium, will be offered online.