Don’t stop be-leafing!
Since closing on March 17 to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, Brooklyn’s living museum on Monday announced that it will reopen to the public on August 7.
The news comes as New York City moves into Phase Four of reopening, which allows for botanic gardens and zoos to reopen with limited capacity and new safety guidelines, such as timed tickets and other efforts to reduce crowding.
“BBG was founded 110 years ago with the idea that beautiful, accessible outdoor space was essential to health and well-being for New York City residents,” said the BBG’s interim director Leslie Findlen. “That is as true today as it was then.”
Guests will be required to wear a face-covering and maintain social distance, and indoor areas where social distancing is not possible will remain closed. During the first days of reopening, food and drink services will not be available, and guests must bring their own bottled water. Food other than bottled water will not be allowed, according to garden officials.
All programming is postponed for now, but visitors who score tickets will have access to new areas of the garden, including the Rober W. Wilson overlook and the Elizabeth Scholtz Woodland Garden. Visitors will also have access to Japanese Hill and Pond Garden, the Osborne Garden, the Shakespeare Garden, and more, according to heads of the greenspace.
While the local landmark was shuttered, a series of small, rotating teams of essential staff have continued tending to the garden’s 52 acres, where azaleas, tulips, and lilacs bursted behind closed doors.
“We hope that the garden’s beauty may offer a peaceful respite from the turmoil of this unprecedented period,” said Diane Steinberg, chair of BBG’s Board of Trustees.
