Arboretum Announces New Admission Rates on Thursdays

 Chaska, Minn. (Aug. 25, 2009) -  The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum announces the following changes to its Thursday admission policy.

From April through October, admission will be free after 4:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month.  This policy will apply on the following upcoming Thursdays - Sept. 17 and Oct. 15.  On other Thursdays from April through October, the Arboretum will offer "two for one" (or half-price) admission after 4:30 p.m.  This new policy begins Thursday, Sept. 3.  Previously, admission was free after 4:30 p.m. Thursdays from April through October.

This new Thursday admission policy was adopted to help the Arboretum raise additional revenue in a still-challenging economy.  It has been unable to secure a corporate sponsor to help underwrite free admission on designated Thursdays.

In comparison to other botanical gardens and arboreta across the country, and other Twin Cities attractions, the Arboretum remains a great value.  "The Arboretum remains an affordable major Twin Cities attraction and educational resource, and will continue to serve the community in a number of ways," stated  Mary Meyer, Arboretum interim director. 

The Arboretum's longstanding winter admission policy of offering free admission all day on Thursdays from November through March will remain unchanged.

University of Minnesota students, Arboretum members and youths age 15 and younger will continue to be admitted free to the Arboretum every day (school field trips and group tours are handled separately). Approximately 21,000 members also receive free admission year-round, as part of their annual membership package.

The largest public garden in the Upper Midwest, the arboretum is part of the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and is a community and national resource for horticultural and environmental information, research and public education.  It is located nine miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chaska. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator.  The Arboretum is disability accessible; the buildings are smoke free.  For further  information: www.arboretum.umn.edu.

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