With the end of 2022 marking 100 years since the Morton Arboretum first opened the last couple of years have witnessed several new developments at the nonprofit public garden and outdoor museum for its yearlong centennial celebrations including a new $16 million “Grand Garden”.
Currently home to five new large-scale sculptures by Polish-American artist Olga Ziemska for its latest major art exhibition Of The Earth the Arboretum is also known for its annual Illumination: Tree Lights which is ranked one of the best light shows in the country.
Having grown from Mr. Joy Morton’s 175-acre site on his country estate to over 1,700 acres of tree collections, gardens, and natural landscapes, the Morton Arboretum is showing no signs of slowing down its vigorous expansion or staggering its lively calendar of events.
Today, (Friday, May 24th) the beloved Arboretum will open a brand new tree-themed mini-golf experience adding to the incredible activities on offer in Chicago this summer.
The new course, titled “Wonder Woods”, has been created by the Morton Arboretum’s in-house exhibitions and design teams in collaboration with its science and conservation staff.
The nine-hole course is catered to all ages with a particular focus on highlighting science in fun and immersive ways via interactive, tree-themed features at each hole.
Vibrant visual elements will illustrate the roles trees play in reducing the impacts of climate change, supporting ecosystems, and benefiting communities.
“Each hole brings the Arboretum’s tree research to life in a playful way,” said Amy Scott, head of exhibitions. The unique course will be unlike any other with many unexpected elements, explains Scott, “such as a foosball-inspired hole with acorns from various species of oak trees to a replica of the Chicago skyline with a stylized urban tree canopy.”
“People enjoy connecting to trees and nature through the Arboretum’s outdoor exhibitions, such as Of the Earth, and this imaginative mini golf course will be another fun way to develop an appreciation for trees, their benefits, and their vital importance to a healthy environment.”
Take a sneak peek at some of the holes below:
Wonder Woods course will open on Friday, May 24th near the Visitor Center and run through to Monday, September 2nd from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Tickets to play will be $8 for adult members and $6 for child members while nonmember tickets will be $10 for adults and $8 for children.
More information and tickets can be found at mortonarb.org.