Longwood Gardens on target to shatter attendance record
EAST MARLBOROUGH » Attendance at Longwood Gardens has seen a huge spike since the reopening of the Main Fountain Gardens in late May, and chances are good that by year’s end, more visitors will pass through the gates than in any other year.
“I’m thrilled that so many people want to come and see it and experience it,” said Paul Radman, executive director of the 1,077acre Longwood Gardens. “Many people have said we have brought the garden back to life, and people are raving about the illuminated fountain shows.”
Since the Main Fountain Garden opened May 27, more than 325,000 have visited, a 58 percent increase over the same period a year ago. Redman said he is expecting attendance to hit or surpass 1.5 million by the end of the year. Last year, Longwood Gardens had 1.35 million visitors. It’s busiest non-fireworks day was Aug. 5, when 11,709 people visited.
“We have worked so hard and for so long that when it comes to seeing what you envisioned, it is surreal and unbelievable,” Redman said. (The public) saw it all happen - the demolition, construction, restoration and all of the landscaping stitched back together. It’s like bringing a new baby home for the first time.”
Mary Hutchins, executive director of Historic Kennett, said the increase in traffic at Longwood Gardens has a spillover effect for Kennett merchants.
“We are definitely seeing an increase in foot traffic,” Hutching said. “We think this translates into more sales and more dollars for the merchants.”
It’s little wonder people want to see the new $90 million Main Fountain Garden. It’s very impressive. It features 1,340 Jets and streams; 30 flame features; 1,389 LEDs and thousands of attractive plants from all over the world. The state-of-theart water pumps can propel water 175 feet into the air.
And fireworks returned this year, adding 17,400 visitors. There are two fireworks shows remaining -Sept. 2 and Sept. both are sold out.
Redman said the garden area is large enough to easily allow more than 5,000 people to comfortably view the illuminated water shows. The shows are set to music, and Redman said guests especially enjoy tunes from the Beatles.
This winter, Longwood Gardens will feature a Blues Display highlighting blue flowers and blues music -all to help those battling the winter blues.
The popular Nightscape feature will not return, Redman said, though Longwood Gardens kept some of the digital mapping and projection equipment from Nightscape.
“We now have the ability to use that equipment potentially on our fountains,” Redman said. “We’ll be experimenting this fall in how we can incorporate that equipment into future experiences.”
With 231 full-time employees, 350 part-time employees and more than 800 volunteers, Longwood Gardens is a major employer in Chester County.
In the future, 16 and Redman said the Visitors Center, which was designed at a time when 400,000 people per year visited, will be renovated and expanded.
Hours at Longwood Gardens are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday for illuminated fountain shows. Admission is by timed ticket only. Tickets are $23 for adults, $20 for ages 62 and older, $12 for students, and free for children 4 and younger. Tickets for “Summer of Spectacle” go on sale April 3. For tickets and reservations, visit www.longwoodgardens.org.