Chicago Botanic Gardens Will Institute an Entrance Fee in 2022

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - June  16, 2020    
        Virtual Meeting

Board Action

• In order to cover operations at the gardens, a resolution was passed by the commissioners to allow the Botanic Gardens to begin the necessary changes in the visitor plaza in order to allow ticketing for entrance in 2022.  The request is to allow fees in order to cover ongoing capital investments in the Garden. Research regarding pricing will continue in 2021 in order to be comparable to the Brookfield Zoo, other cultural institutions in Chicago and elsewhere.  Tentative suggestions are staggered pricing for children, adults and elderly, and offering 52 free days a year.  The proposal is not to exceed $35 for admission and not to exceed $30 for parking, however, admission pricing may result in lower parking pricing closer to $10.  The long time frame for the request is due to the needed physical changes to accommodate admission ticketing. 
• Resolution was approved to allow the Forest Preserve to partner with the Bobolink Foundation for prairie restoration and invasive specie removal in Barrington Township. 

Observed by:  Laura Davis                 ​Meeting Length: 10:20 to 11:34am  (difficulty connecting to virtual meeting)