Garvan Gardens sets rules for reopening
HOT SPRINGS — After closing to the public on March 31 due to coronavirus pandemic concerns, Garvan Woodland Gardens has announced it will be reopening strictly to its 3,000 member families from noon to 6 p.m. on the weekends, starting May 15, with social distancing rules applied.
“Garvan Woodland Gardens is so happy to be able to offer entrance to our valued members during this time,” according to a news release. “If you have a membership that allows you to bring a guest, only the number of guests allowed per membership (not per card) will be admitted. There will be no payment services during this time, so you absolutely cannot bring extra guests who need to pay.”
Members entering must have a member card and photo ID. Membership renewals may be done online, http://www.garvangardens.org, or by phone, 262-9300.
The Chipmunk Cafe will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on weekends, and restrooms will be open on a “rotating basis to allow for proper cleaning,” according to the release.
The Chapel will remain closed and golf cart tours, wheelchairs and strollers will not be available.
Becca Ohman, the botanical gardens’ director, said after reviewing Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s guidelines for reopening state parks and consulting with University of Arkansas authorities and Garvan staff, they felt that a “measured and phased” reopening was possible.
“Of course our first goal is the safety of Garvan staff and our guests, so we thought by opening only to members, not only could we say thanks to their allegiance during difficult times, we could also provide an environment where all social distancing guidelines can be followed by our guests,” Ohman said.
For additional safety measures, she said the hours of operation have been adjusted from noon to 6 p.m., which allows the working staff to be “largely removed” from the gardens, away from guests, so those guests can have fewer interactions.
“We all know the outdoors play a vital role in our mental and emotional health, and Garvan is so very blessed to be able to offer this beautiful facility to the city of Hot Springs and to the community, and so we are especially thankful for our stakeholders, for our members and their continued support of the gardens,” Ohman said.