{"id":46410,"date":"2020-07-31T08:52:56","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T12:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=46410"},"modified":"2020-07-31T08:53:08","modified_gmt":"2020-07-31T12:53:08","slug":"what-to-do-beat-cabin-fever-enjoy-local-outdoor-attractions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=46410","title":{"rendered":"What To Do: Beat cabin fever, enjoy local outdoor attractions"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Longwood Gardens<\/p><\/div>\n

With the easing up of COVID-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey, more attractions are re-opening. For people who have been suffering from cabin fever, this is a good thing because it means there are more options for things to do.<\/p>\n

The weather even seems to be co-operating.<\/p>\n

After several weeks of temperatures in the mid-90s and heat index readings in triple figures, the weather forecast for the next week is calling for daily highs in the low 80s.<\/p>\n

Now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy nature at sites that are dedicated to preserving and presenting the bounty of nature \u2013 for several reasons.<\/p>\n

The weather is inevitably going to get nasty again \u2013 real soon. August in the Delaware Valley always brings ultra-high temperatures and brutal humidity. July was a preview so get out while it\u2019s not real muggy and the heat is moderate. <\/p>\n

The time is also right because venues are still open.<\/p>\n

It seems as if it\u2019s just a matter of time until everything will be shut down again because of a spike in COVID-19 infections \u2013 not \u201cif\u201d but \u201cwhen.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, communing with nature is always a great way to spend a day.<\/p>\n

Longwood\u00a0Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square,\u00a0https:\/\/<\/em>longwoodgardens.org\/<\/em><\/a>), which is one of the area\u2019s premier attractions is open to the public again.<\/p>\n

Longwood\u2019s website posted this message \u2013<\/p>\n

Our Space \u2026 Your Place<\/p>\n

Summer is here. And at Longwood, there\u2019s room to roam. To relax. To play. To explore. There\u2019s room for fantastic fountains and for family fun. Room to stroll under towering trees and room to savor the season\u2019s beauty. Room to wander. Room to wonder. Room for you.<\/p>\n

Just as our Gardens are a place of pleasure and respite, they are also a place of wellness and safety. Please honor the\u00a0new visiting guidelines\u00a0we\u2019ve created in accordance with state and local regulations. It takes all of us to make our Gardens a world apart.<\/p>\n

We will continue to make updates to our visiting guidelines.\u00a0We appreciate your ongoing understanding.<\/p>\n

When visiting, please remember to:
\n\u2014Wear a mask
\n\u2014Make room for one another
\n\u2014Practice good hygiene
\n\u2014Mind the green dots
\n\u2014Follow one-way paths.<\/p>\n

Another\u00a0Longwood\u00a0website page posted this:<\/p>\n

We kept our promise to you.\u00a0We\u2019re welcoming you back to a place of beauty, a place of resilience, a place that has been so lovingly sustained \u2026 for all of our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows.<\/p>\n

Our beloved plants and trees have been waiting patiently to show off their beauty, give you a place of respite, and demonstrate the power of resilience. Upon reopening, our visiting experience will be different. We are committed to maintaining our culture of safety and well-being for all. Therefore, we have instituted new\u00a0visiting guidelines\u00a0in accordance with state and local regulations to help provide a safer and enjoyable experience while enjoying the beauty of our Gardens.<\/p>\n

These new regulations touch many aspects of visiting our Gardens, including operating days and hours, Member reservations and ticket availability, personal protective equipment when visiting, arrival practices, mobility rentals, available restrooms, open garden spaces and pathways, and more. Conditions in our Gardens will continue to evolve, as will visiting guidelines, and we look forward to offering additional experiences as soon as we are able.<\/p>\n

For example, some of our iconic outdoor garden spaces will require mindful walking in order to maintain safety and social distancing while you enjoy them \u2026 but they\u2019re still here and still thriving. Our indoor spaces, including our Conservatory and Peirce-du Pont House will not be available upon our reopening \u2026 but they\u2019ll be ready and waiting for when we can once again open their doors.<\/p>\n

Upon reopening, we will be keeping our fountains running continuously throughout the day. The fountains will be dancing to the sounds of water and nature, not to music nor to dedicated shows, so you may soak in the splendor at any time while still maintaining social distancing.<\/p>\n

While conditions will evolve and guidelines will change, many constants remain. Our appreciation for you. Our gratitude for one another. Our joy in sharing our beauty with you. And our commitment to many, many more beautiful tomorrows. Welcome back to\u00a0Longwood.<\/p>\n

A nice thing about Longwood Gardens is that there are plenty of things to do inside such as its impressive conservatory and indoor gardens as well as outside.<\/p>\n

One of the featured outdoor attractions is the fountain performances — 12-minute performances daily at 11:15 a.m.; 1:15, 3:15 and 5:15 p.m. plus a 12-minute performance Fridays and Saturdays at 7:15 p.m., and 5-minute performances at 6:15 and 8:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

The Open Air Theatre Fountain Shows featuring 750 jets in changing patterns are presented several times every day. The five-minute shows run daily at 10:15 a.m., and 12:15, 2:15 and 4:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

The Illuminated Fountain Performances are 30-minute spectacles in which water in all shapes, sizes, and heights combines with music and infinite colors. The shows are presented Fridays and Saturdays at 9:15 p.m. each night.<\/p>\n

Video link for Illuminated Fountain Performances — https:\/\/youtu.be\/AHsC2YuFerY<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Admission to\u00a0Longwood\u00a0Gardens is — Adults, $25; seniors (ages 62 and older) and college students (with valid ID), $22; youth (ages 5-18), $13; children (4 and under), free.<\/p>\n

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Jenkins Arboretum<\/p><\/div>\n

Jenkins Arboretum (631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon,\u00a0www.jenkinsarboretum.org<\/a>) is\u00a0open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.<\/p>\n

Guests are asked to limit their visits to one hour to allow time for others to visit without crowding. You must\u00a0wear a mask and practice social distancing\u00a0at all times during your visit.<\/p>\n

The mission of Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens is to preserve natural tranquil woodlands for community enjoyment, to showcase native plants and a world class collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, and to promote environmental horticulture through learning, research and conservation.<\/p>\n

Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens is one of the region\u2019s great horticultural and environmental assets.<\/p>\n

As a botanical garden, the Arboretum maintains a collection of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and ferns in a tranquil, naturalistic landscape. In addition, the Arboretum features an accredited, world-class collection of rhododendrons and azaleas from across the globe. The Arboretum is comprised of 48 acres of gardens and woodland, with 1.2 miles of trails.<\/p>\n

The Arboretum celebrated its 40th\u00a0Anniversary in 2016 with the launch of the \u201cForever Jenkins: Endow an Acre\u201d\u00a0<\/em>campaign. This endowment campaign will ensure that the Arboretum will remain free, open, and growing for generations to come.<\/p>\n

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Chanticleer<\/p><\/div>\n

Chanticleer\u00a0(786 Church Road, Wayne,\u00a0www<\/a>.<\/a><\/strong>chanticleer<\/a>garden.org<\/a>) once again is open to all.<\/p>\n

Chanticleer has been called the most romantic, imaginative, and exciting public garden in America. The garden is a study of textures and forms, where foliage trumps flowers, the gardeners lead the design, and even the drinking fountains are sculptural. It is a garden of pleasure and learning, relaxing yet filled with ideas to take home.
\nThe garden has evolved greatly since the death of the owner in 1990. As the home of the Rosengartens, Chanticleer was beautiful and green with impressive trees and lawns. Most of the floral and garden development you see today has occurred since 1990, designed by Chanticleer staff and consultants.
\nThere are seven Horticulturists, each responsible for the design, planting, and maintenance of an area. The areas are continually evolving, each with its own feel, yet joined together as one complete unit. The Teacup Garden and Chanticleer Terraces feature seasonal plants and bold-textured tropical and subtropical plants. These areas change greatly from year to year. Non-hardy plants overwinter in greenhouses and basements.<\/p>\n

Garden capacity will be limited in order to manage safe distancing. All guests arriving by personal vehicle must make a parking reservation for the day and time of their visit.<\/p>\n

Chanticleer\u2019s website posted this message \u2013<\/p>\n