Brookside Gardens
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Art in the Park
Brookside Gardens is Montgomery County’s incomparable, award-winning 50-acre public display garden situated within Wheaton Regional Park. Included in the gardens are several distinct areas: Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Style Garden, Trial Garden, Rain Garden, and the Woodland Walk. The Formal Gardens areas include a Perennial Garden, Yew Garden, the Maple Terrace, and Fragrance Garden. Brookside Gardens also feature two conservatories for year-round enjoyment. Admission to the gardens is free.
The outdoor Gardens are open for your enjoyment, relaxation, and exercise from sunrise to sunset.
Effective Saturday, August 7, 2021, face coverings are required inside our facilities. For details on the updated county mandate, visit mocoparks.org/FaceCoverings
Masks are not required outdoors in the parks but are recommended when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from others
• Follow CDC Guidelines for health and safety:
— If you are sick, or have symptoms, please stay home
— Wash your hands and use sanitizer frequently
Please be considerate of other visitors and observe the Garden etiquette rules.
For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors please comply with Brookside Gardens rules:
- Balloons are not allowed in the Gardens.
- Food, drink, and picnicking are not allowed in the Gardens.
- NOTE: Picnic facilities are available nearby at the Shorefield Area of Wheaton Regional Park.
- Pets are not allowed with the exception of service animals.
- NOTE: A dog park is available nearby at the Orebaugh Rd. area of Wheaton Regional Park. Pets are allowed in all other areas of Wheaton Regional Park
- Frisbees, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, balls, skates, skis, sleds, and recreational and athletic equipment are not allowed in the Gardens.
- NOTE: Sporting Equipment is allowed nearby at Wheaton Regional Park.
- Shoes are required in the Gardens.
- Please do not fish or swim in the water and please do not walk in flower beds.
- Audio devices are not allowed (headphones are allowed)
- Please do not feed or disturb geese, fish, or wildlife.
- Please do not remove any plant material or wildlife
Limousine Policy: Limousines must obtain a permit in advance of entering Brookside Gardens.
Photography Policy: All groups of two or more must obtain a photography permit in advance.
Please note: Brookside Gardens’ vehicle entrances feature deer exclusion grates, which also preclude pedestrians from crossing. All pedestrians should enter the Gardens through either the pedestrian entrances on Glenallan Avenue to the left of the vehicle entrance or the conservatory pedestrian entrance to the right of the vehicle entrance. Crossing the deer exclusion grates on foot could result in injury.
Conservatory Open Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Beginning Thursday, May 20, you may visit Brookside Gardens Conservatories to view tropical and flowering plants inside our greenhouse.
Brookside Gardens’ Conservatory will be open daily from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. The conservatory features plants from around the world including banana, palm, eucalyptus, red powderpuff, and cacao trees. Also on display are fragrant plants such as snapdragons, rose-scented geranium, myrtle, and tricolor sage. Masks are required. Free: No reservations required.
Temporary Outdoor Art Exhibit
Honoring those we have lost by suspending one strand of crystals, in memory of each life lost to COVID-19 in Montgomery County
On display March to September 2021
Weddings and Other Venue Rentals at Brookside Gardens
Award-winning Brookside Gardens is a picture-perfect location for garden weddings. From April through October, groups as large as 110 enjoy the Gardens’ shimmering ponds, romantic gazebos, colorful gardens, and green lawn expanses for celebrations of all kinds. The contemporary Reception Hall and Conservatory are available year-round and are ideal locations for large and small indoor gatherings.
Brookside Gardens offers a choice of meeting venues. The Hall, with its panoramic view of the regularly changing, spectacular garden displays, can seat 175 lecture room-style. Brookside’s classrooms are also available for small meetings or training sessions for groups up to 50.
For more information, visit the Venue Rentals and Photo Permits webpage. You can also schedule a private event consultation or tour online.
Fall & Winter Cultivate Program Guide + Online Registration
Sign up for activities, classes, and events at Brookside Gardens 24 hours a day, seven days a week through ActiveMONTGOMERY. You can access the Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 Cultivate program guide by clicking on this link.
eNewsletter
Find out the latest news including upcoming programs and activities by signing up for Brookside Gardens’ monthly eNewsletter.
Donations
Contributions to the Montgomery County Parks Foundation on behalf of Brookside Gardens keep the Gardens moving forward to become an even stronger community resource. They also ensure hours of enjoyment for future Brookside Gardens visitors. Please donate to the Montgomery County Parks Foundation today.
Sponsorships
All inquiries regarding sponsorships may be directed to Ellen Bennett, 301-962-1402 or Ellen.Bennett@montgomeryparks.org