After being closed for more than a year due to the pandemic, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens are reopening to allow members of the Duke community time amid the flowers and the geese.
The Gardens will be open for Duke students, faculty and staff starting Thursday, according to a Monday announcement.
“We are delighted at the prospect of sharing the beauty and serenity of Duke Gardens with visitors again,” Duke Gardens Executive Director Bill LeFevre said in the announcement.
In this first phase of reopening, students, faculty and staff can get tickets to the Gardens with a specific entry time. Tickets will be available at the Duke Box Office starting 11 a.m. this Tuesday, and a new set of reservation dates will be added to the box office each Tuesday.
“Duke Gardens is a vital part of the Duke campus experience, and we look forward to welcoming students, faculty, and staff who have long cherished their time in the Gardens and have been eager to return,” LeFevre said.
Currently, people are asked not to reserve more than two visits per week.
Visitors can reserve times from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Once the Gardens close at 4 p.m., all gates will be locked.
Upon entrance, visitors will be asked to present a Duke photo ID and their symptom monitoring app. Because of this, only people who are part of Duke’s symptom monitoring program may enter, and Duke community members cannot bring additional guests or family. There is currently no set reopening date for the general public.
Visitors must comply with the Duke Compact while at the Gardens, including wearing a facial covering and maintaining six feet of social distance.
“We are especially excited for first-year students to see the spectacular plant collections and experience how relaxing, rejuvenating and inspiring it can be to explore these nationally acclaimed gardens in the heart of the Duke campus,” LeFevre said.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.
Maria Morrison was a digital strategy director for The Chronicle's 117th volume. She was previously managing editor for Volume 116.