General Info — Vital statistics

Vital Statistics

385 acres

100 acres of woods

81 acres of waterways

24 gardens and 4 natural areas

9 islands

6 miles of shoreline

15 acres of prairie

255 bird species sighted

50,000 members — the largest membership of any U.S. botanic garden

More than 900,000 visitors annually — the second most-visited botanic garden of its size in the U.S.

1 of only 17 public gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums

1965 — Construction began

1972 — Opened to the public

2.4 million plants representing 9,518 plant varieties including

475 adult education classes — gardening basics to botanical sketching

Programs for 35,000 schoolchildren and 2,300 teachers

Discovery camps, summer science programs, and scout activities for 14,500 children and teens

A collection of 180 bonsai

1,000 volunteers (you could become the 1,001st!)

25,000 book titles — including one of the nation's best collections of rare botanical books

240 staff members, from horticulturist to librarian to aquatic staff

Best time to visit — any time, any season!