Naples Botanical Garden set to reopen with extensive safety measures

The Naples Botanical Garden is getting ready to open it’s doors to everyone for the first time since the shutdown.

They’ve made some permanent changes to keep you safe and healthy when visiting. WINK News anchor, Lindsey Sablan went along with our partners at Gulfshore Life magazine to get a preview of the changes.

John and Jill Brown’s first real trip out since lockdown was to the Botanical Garden in Naples, which opened to members almost two weeks ago.

“They took a lot of care to make it very safe,” Brown said.

Staff spent quarantine talking with Botanical Garden across the country and came up with a long-term plan to make sure they wouldn’t have to shut down again.

“We have one-way paths, so the majority of the garden you have plenty of space to go and explore,” said Renee Walker, Director of Marketing and Communications.

You can now book timed tickets online to limit crowd sizes and you will also notice sanitizer stations as you arrive.

Signs block entrances to high-touch areas, like the children’s section, and they now have touch-less refillable water stations. You also have to wear a mask around others.

Another big change was altering the cafe.

“We have installed some touchless pay options, everything is in an eco-friendly to-go box and your food will be delivered to a table outside,” Walker said.

The Browns say these changes make them feel safer when making their visits to the park since the reopening.

Kicking off the reopening is a new exhibit with local artists Paul Arsenault.

You can read more about it on Gulfshore Life’s online section here.