Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
TypeBotanical garden
Nearest cityMahomet, Illinois
Area8 acres (3.2 ha)
OpenedJune 30, 1974
FounderH.I. Gelvin
OpenDaily, daylight hours

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.

History

The 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

The 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

It is open during daylight hours; admission is free. Wedding rentals are permitted at this facility.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 ""Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden"". Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Benner, Amelia (2014-08-16). "Renovation ahead for Lake of the Woods gardens". The News-Gazette. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  3. 1 2 "Tsurumi Integral to Illinois Pond Overhaul : CEG". www.constructionequipmentguide.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  4. ↑ "Renovations complete at Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens". WRSP. 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  5. ↑ Tietz, Dani (2022-03-15). "CCFPD gets grant to improve Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden - Mahomet Daily". Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  6. ↑ "Our Town Mahomet: Exploring the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens". WCIA.com. 2018-06-04. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ "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 / 40.2038; -88.3943


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