Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
Welcome to the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden in Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. Located just off Illinois Route 47 in Mahomet, Illinois, the garden boasts some of the most beautiful and diverse flora in East Central Illinois. Many couples have exchanged their wedding vows in this colorful setting.
The garden has evolved over a period of years
from a small garden outside the museum to the
eight acres it covers today. A major renovation
in 1974 was spearheaded by H.I. Gelvin, the
founder of the Forest Preserve District, and the
area was named in tribute to his late wife,
Mabery.
Additions since then, that you won't want to miss, are the award-winning Miriam Davies Memorial Enabling Garden, located at the south end of the garden, and the Discovery Garden, which is directly behind the museum.
Video of Botanical Garden - 2007
There is no admission fee to enter Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve or the Botanical Garden. You may access the garden through the Museum of the Grand Prairie (formerly Early American Museum), which also has no admission fee, or you may enter the garden by going around the museum to the gate on the east side. The garden is open the same hours as the preserve, generally 7:00 a.m. to sundown.
If you have questions or cannot find what you are looking for on our website, call (217) 586-3360 or e-mail hq@ccfpd.org. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 1040, Mahomet, Illinois 61853, and the physical address is 650 N. Lombard, Mahomet, Illinois.
