The Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden (8 acres (3.2 ha)) is a botanical garden located within the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. It is located just off State Route 47, 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Interstate 74, in Mahomet, Illinois.
Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden | |
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Type | Botanical garden |
Nearest city | Mahomet, Illinois |
Area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
Opened | June 30, 1974 |
Founder | H.I. Gelvin |
Open | Daily, daylight hours |
History
editThe garden is named after H.I. Gelvin's wife, Mabery, who died in 1971.[1][2]
Gelvin, as founder of the Forest Preserve District, donated $100,000 to build a garden and designed the garden with the aid of University of Illinois students.[2] The garden was dedicated on June 30, 1974.[2]
In 2014, renovations were conducted to bolster the garden's infrastructure, such as the waterfall, pond, and accessible paths.[2][3] A ceremony was held on September 12, 2019, to celebrate the completion.[4]
In March 2022, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Museum Capital Grant Program awarded $726,900 in grant funding to the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. The grant helped provide plant production space and upgrade greenhouse infrastructure.[5]
Features
editThe garden includes waterfalls, a Japanese style red bridge, and a one-acre koi pond.[6][7][2][3] The waterfall and pond are inspired by the Chicago Botanic Garden.[2]
An All-America Selections Display Garden features bedding plants and vegetables.[1]
Operations
editIt is open during daylight hours; admission is free. Wedding rentals are permitted at this facility.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b ""Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden"". Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
- ^ a b c d e f Benner, Amelia (2014-08-16). "Renovation ahead for Lake of the Woods gardens". The News-Gazette. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b "Tsurumi Integral to Illinois Pond Overhaul : CEG". www.constructionequipmentguide.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Renovations complete at Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens". WRSP. 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Tietz, Dani (2022-03-15). "CCFPD gets grant to improve Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden - Mahomet Daily". Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Our Town Mahomet: Exploring the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens". WCIA.com. 2018-06-04. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Hammie, Jessica (2023-08-17). "Stroll through the botanical garden at Lake of the Woods - SPlog". Smile Politely — Champaign-Urbana's Culture Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Champaign County Forest Preserve District > Forest Preserves > Facility Rentals > Lake of the Woods Facility Rentals". www.ccfpd.org. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
40°12′14″N 88°23′39″W / 40.2038°N 88.3943°W