Arriving
Visitors should arrive and park in the Visitor Center parking lot. When going through the front entrance gates to Brookside Gardens, vehicles will drive over a deer exclusion grate which will shake the vehicle. Once you have parked, you will head towards the Visitor Center.
Parking
Once through the front gates, visitors can expect some slow traffic as the parking lot is one way traffic only.
Accessible parking is on the right side of the parking lot nearest to the visitor center. If parking spaces fill up in the Visitor Center parking lot, visitors can exit the parking lot via the same gate they entered through, turn right at the stop sign at the end of the entrance road and proceed to the Conservatory parking lot for additional parking options. The Conservatory address is 1500 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902.
Activities
All event activities will be to the left of the Visitor Center building on the grass lawns. Some of the activities will include guided instruction by Brookside Gardens Staff and include using natural materials to create art, touching soil and other planting materials, using tools and technology to learn about plants.
Performances
There will an indoor and an outdoor performance space. Beech Tree Puppets will perform in the morning in the indoor performance space. This indoor space will only be open to the public before and during the puppet show and the indoor space will be closed after the show is done. In the afternoon Mr. Gabe will perform outside on the Visitor Center Lawn.
The performance schedule will be posted in the event space. This could be a noisy part of the event and participants may clap along or cheer for the performers.
Restroom Location
The Visitor Center has public Women’s and Men’s restrooms that can be accessed by going indoors event activity area. Inside the Visitor Center, next to the Children’s Classroom, there is a private bathroom. If visitors venture outside the main event activity area there are additional Women’s and Men’s bathrooms at the Conservatory immediately to the left when walking into the building.
Bring a Picnic
Visitors can bring food and picnics during this event and only eat within the designated picnicking areas which will be labeled with signage. Visitors can sit on the ground, but no tables or chairs will be provided. Typically, food and eating in the Gardens is strictly prohibited. Trash cans will only be available within the designated event picnicking area and inside the visitor center. Please dispose of waste appropriately.
Sensory Retreat Area
The Gardens will be busy with regular visitor activity and the crowds from the event and activities. Visitors that need a break from the crowds and noise can visit the “Sensory Retreat Area” which will be located in the Anderson Pavilion near the aquatic ponds.
