Significantly, there will be no on-site visitor parking during the renovations. Public parking will be available to visitors on weekends only in the nearby Duke University H-lot, located on Anderson Street and Yearby Avenue. Visitors arriving by car are strongly encouraged to visit on weekends and check the Duke Gardens website (gardens.duke.edu) for important information as the project takes shape.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens executive director Bill LeFevre said he empathizes that these changes will cause some short-term inconveniences for visitors. “Duke Gardens is a world-class botanical garden in the heart of a growing city — an oasis in an urban landscape. This location makes it a special place for people to connect with nature, but it also means we cannot create this new experience without temporarily limiting access to our main entrance. We understand the disruptions caused by construction will be an inconvenience, and we ask for your patience and understanding as we work to complete these much-needed upgrades.”

The $30 million project was inspired by a vision of enhancing Duke Gardens as a vibrant hub for students, the university community and the public, while retaining the character that has made it one of the region’s most beloved places. It is funded by private contributions, including lead gifts from The Duke Endowment.

The Garden Gateway will create:

• a new welcome center with a café, gallery space and outdoor meeting areas
• improved learning and event facilities, including additional space for classrooms, community programs, Duke University events and weddings
• a safer and more accessible entrance to the gardens with a special drop-off location for school buses
• expanded green spaces designed for events and enjoyment

The Garden Gateway project will follow Duke University’s High Performance Building Framework, which outlines a rigorous sustainable design standard and a tracking and rating system to examine how facilities perform in the long term. 

Limited programs and events will continue throughout construction, with the full schedule available on the Duke Gardens website. Most public tours and school programs have been paused until the renovations are complete, but wayfinding resources will be available onsite to guide visitors. The Duke Gardens staff has relocated to temporary offices in Duke’s Mill Village.

Visitors are advised to check the Duke Gardens website for updates and to follow the progress of the transformation on Duke Gardens’ Instagram (@sarahpdukegardens).