Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Waterfall, bridge, and pond area in the Botanical Garden

Concert held in the Botanical Garden's gazebo

Watercolor of waterfall and pond area completed during public event.

Daffodils in Botanical Garden

River Birch tree label

Aerial View of Bridge and Waterfall Construction

Purple Coneflowers blooming in Botanical Garden

Decorative Bench in Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden

Art Sculpture near Waterfall and Pond

Decorative flower bed in Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden gazebo

Aerial Photo of Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden (c.1974)
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Trees in Botanical Garden

Entrance to Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden

Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden has evolved over a period of years from a small garden outside the Museum of the Grand Prairie to the eight acres it covers today. In 1974, a major renovation was spearheaded by H.I. Gelvin, the founder of the Forest Preserve District, and the area was named in tribute to his late wife, Mabery.
When planning a trip to the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, look for tree and plant labels to learn about what grows in and around the garden. There is no fee to enter Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve or the Botanical Garden. You may access the garden through the Museum of the Grand Prairie, which also has no admission fee, or you may enter the garden by going around the museum to the gate on the east side. The garden is open the same hours as the preserve, generally 7 AM to sundown.