Welcoming and Celebrating You

INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT OF SUPPORT

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden celebrates the diversity of all people, just as we honor the diversity of plants and ecosystems in our world. We invite and welcome people of all abilities, backgrounds, races, religions, ages, cultures, genders, and sexual identities as visitors, members, partners, volunteers and staff. As an organization, we are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable and welcoming culture in which the contributions of all are valued, respected and appreciated. We are dedicated to making our gardens, exhibitions, programs, collections and facilities accessible to all.

The land in this region was first home to indigenous people whose stewardship we respect and acknowledge. We seek to be a garden for the ages; a garden for cultivating community; and a garden for healing and awakening mind, body and spirit. We are passionately committed to making this vision possible for all.

Just as a garden requires ongoing cultivation and tending, we pledge to continually reflect on and adapt our practices to ensure that we uphold this policy. We invite you to reach out at (804) 262-9887 or [email protected]. if you have questions, suggestions, or wish to provide feedback about how we can better accommodate you. Please join us as we continue striving to create a welcoming culture in the community we share!

ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS

Garden walkways and paths are mostly hardscapes, with main walkways comprised of aggregate concrete, sealed concrete, paving stone, asphalt, and brick.  Outside we have ramps available anywhere there are stairs, such as the Fountain Garden and into the Conservatory. The fall in the terrain along the top of the main path between the Asian Valley entrance and Central Garden to the entrance of the West Island Garden is about 22 feet (over a distance of 520 feet). Kroger Community Kitchen Garden and Children’s Garden have pathways with ADA-accessible mulch. The Children’s Garden wheelchair-height planting beds are filled with sensory-stimulating plants.  Please note that due to the historic nature of the property, some areas may present challenges to those using wheelchairs or walkers. 

We supply wheelchairs and strollers for guests to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.

ADMISSION

Admission to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is $8-17 and free for Garden members.

Visitors with a SNAP or WIC EBT Card or the Fresh EBT app can enter for $1 admission for adults and free for up to six children (Age 17 and under), as part of Museums for All.  Museums for All family memberships are also available for $5 per year. 

Personal Care Attendants

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers complimentary admission to paid and unpaid personal care attendants assisting guests with disabilities during their visit. 

AMENITIES

Restrooms

The Robins Visitors Center: wheelchair-accessible; changing table; includes gender-inclusive restroom near the group tour entrance
The Kelly Education Center: wheelchair-accessible; changing table; includes gender-inclusive restroom near the Education classrooms
Robins Tea House: wheelchair-accessible; changing table; both restrooms are gender-inclusive
Bloemendaal House: wheelchair-accessible; includes gender-inclusive/family restroom with changing table; on the left side of the house
Children’s Garden: wheelchair-accessible with changing tables

Water

Reducing waste is important in being a good steward of the environment. Please bring your own refillable water bottle to fill at our touchless water bottle refilling stations; Guests will find water bottle filling stations in the Robins Visitor Center and Kelly Education Center. 

Low-Sensory Areas

Visitors in need of a quiet space may enjoy outdoor escapes like the Lace House gazebo adjacent to Bloemendaal House, the Streb Garden gazebo adjacent to Lake Sydnor or the East Gate sitting area in Flagler Garden. We will be happy to show you these areas on the Garden map when you arrive.

Parking

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers free surface lot parking. Please note, on our busiest days, parking may fill to capacity. 

Accessible parking spaces are available in all parking lots. Parking spaces located closest to the entrance of the Garden are reserved for visitors who are mobility challenged. Visitors in wheelchairs can enter the Garden using either the group entrance or the main entrance of the Robins Visitor Center. Visitors can also be dropped off at the front entrance to the Robins Visitor Center where they can wait to meet the rest of their group.

Bike Racks & Public Transportation

Though the Garden is not currently serviced by public transportation, we encourage the use of bicycles to get to the Garden and you will find bike racks located outside the Robins Visitor Center.

BLOEMENDAAL HOUSE

Bloemendaal House is open for special events and private rentals only. 

BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding is welcome in all areas of the Garden. We do not have a separate lactation area, however, we do have couches in the Lora Robins Library reading room and seating areas around the Garden. If you would like a private space to breastfeed your child, please see a staff member.

EDUCATION

Our experienced outdoor educators enjoy working with a wide range of developmental and cognitive levels and we can tailor your students’ learning experience to the specific needs of your group upon request. We can offer enhanced sensory opportunities and tactile experiences for any class. Please contact us at (804) 262-9887 x322 to discuss your group’s needs. 

We also offer vocational learning for groups and we would love to partner with your school or organization. 

Adult Learning

If you would like to request an accommodation to support your participation in an adult learning opportunity at the Garden, please reach out to us and we will do our best to help. Contact [email protected] or 804-262-9887 x328.

Garden Guides lead group tours (for 15+ people) and can customize tours for those with physical or developmental disabilities, including a sensory tour. Contact [email protected] or 804-262-2887 x236.

SERVICE ANIMALS

Service animals are welcome at all times. A service animal means any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Miniature horses are classified as service animals if they have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

The Garden reserves the right to ask for removal of the service animal from the property if the animal’s behavior or presence poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or if the service animal is not housebroken. Service animals may also be excluded from an area due to health or safety reasons or regulations.

Service Animals: Requirements

  • Service animals must comply with all applicable state and local laws that would pertain to any animal to include, but not limited to licensing, ID tags, vaccinations, rabies and other requirements.
  • Service animals must be on a leash or other restraint at all times, unless impracticable or unfeasible due to owner/keeper’s disability and/or nature of work performed by the animal.
  • The owner/keeper of a service animal must be in full control of the animal at all times. The care and supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of owner/keeper.
  • Modifying a no pets policy to allow someone with PTSD to bring in a service animal that has been trained to calm the person when he or she has an anxiety attack.
  • The owner/keeper must ensure clean-up of any property soiled by the service animal. We ask all animal owners to please refrain from stepping in planting beds, mulched areas and disrupting the landscaped areas.

OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS

Tactile Map: We have a limited number of printed tactile maps of the Central Garden available for visually impaired visitors to borrow and return.  

Audio Tours: Access a free audio tour of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s top 10 highlights on your cell phone, or from home. 

Spanish: Spanish-speaking visitors can access basic visitor information in Spanish on the website.

FOOD & FOOD ALLERGIES

Learn about the Garden Cafe with both indoor and outdoor seating. The Garden Cafe offers a variety of items, including vegetarian and vegan choices. They can accommodate most dietary needs upon request. Be aware that our facilities handle and prepare all major and other potential allergens. If you or a member of your party have any questions, please ask for a manager and they will be pleased to assist you.