Oct 4, 2024 - News
Duke Gardens will soon kick off a $30 million project
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Photo: Courtesy of Dude|Paine Architects
The popular Sarah P. Duke Gardens on Duke University's campus will be getting a new welcome center, a cafe and expanded green spaces at its entrance, the school announced Friday.
Why it matters: The Duke Gardens are one of the most visited (and free) attractions in Durham, attracting students, residents and out-of-town visitors to its 55 acres of gardens, woods and trails.
- More than 600,000 people visited the gardens in 2023, a 20% increase from a year prior, according to the university.
Zoom in: The $30 million project is being funded by private contributions, including a lead donation from the Duke Endowment, a Charlotte-based foundation started by James B. Duke.
- Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and be completed in spring 2026, adding a new welcome center and renovating the existing Doris Duke Center.
- The main entrance will be closed after Thanksgiving due to construction, and a temporary entrance will be installed at 2000 Lewis St. with parking available at Duke University's H-lot.
- The construction will make parking difficult during the weekday, and the school is encouraging visitors to come on weekends or use alternative means of transportation.
