ExperienceGuide2024 - 38

Allerton Park & Retreat Center
Bright Blooms
Spring wildflowers get us excited for spring, heading into
warmer weather as area botanical gardens blossom.
Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
ALLERTON PARK & RETREAT CENTER
Surrounding the Georgian manor house at this expansive park features
fourteen formal gardens with over 100 ornaments and sculptures.
Immaculately designed, these gardens take you on a journey through
hedges and perennials. In May, you'll want to visit the Peony Garden, with
over 1,600 peonies across nearly 70 varieties blooming.
MABERY GELVIN BOTANICAL GARDEN
Covering eight acres, this beautiful, free botanical garden features some of
the most diverse flora in East Central Illinois and is a popular backdrop for
weddings and photos.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ARBORETUM
On the south end of campus, you'll find joy walking through this space, home
to the Japan House gardens, the IDEA Garden, and an Oak Grove. Come
spring, look for the cherry blossoms, which line the wandering walkways
leading to and from the Japan House.
Arboretum & Japan House Gardens
HERON VIEW FOREST PRESERVE
Found along a floodplain in Mahomet, this preserve is known for its Virginia
Bluebells, which cover much of it and create a stunning spectacle.
Growing Naturalists
Growing a passion for the outdoors starts at a young age. Visiting Anita
Purves Nature Center allows us to imagine what it would be like to be a
naturalist, providing field stations where you can get hands-on with biofacts.
A wildlife observation center and natural playscape will indeed create
nature lovers. At the Homer Lake Interpretive Center, kids will engage in
many hands-on programs featuring live animals and opportunities to get out
and learn in nature.
LOCAL LOVES
Matthew- " When I need to relax, I love walking around the gardens at Japan House.
The tea garden especially as it forces you to slow down and enjoy nature! "
Friendship Grove at Anita Purves
38 Official Champaign-Urbana Area Experience Guide

https://allerton.illinois.edu/ https://www.champaignforests.org/lake-of-the-woods-mahomet-illinois http://arboretum.illinois.edu/ https://www.champaignforests.org/forest-preserves/illinois/heron-view https://www.urbanaparks.org/facilities/anita-purves-nature-center/ https://www.urbanaparks.org/facilities/anita-purves-nature-center/ https://www.champaignforests.org/forest-preserves/illinois/homer-lake https://japanhouse.illinois.edu/

ExperienceGuide2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ExperienceGuide2024