General Information, Regulations, and Accessibility
Elizabeth Park is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.
Hours Of Operation
Elizabeth Park is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated. Please click Support on the menu (second to last option) to discover the many ways in which you can donate and support Elizabeth Park.
Handicap Accessibility
There are a number of stone-dust footpaths throughout the Park that accommodate wheelchairs. A number of the gardens have turf pathways; most of these are handicap-accessible. The Heritage Rose Garden is fully handicap-accessible. Parking spaces for visitors with disabilities can be found in front of the Pond House Café within the Park. Additional designated spaces are located in the lot in front of the greenhouses.
Restrooms
Public restrooms are available in the Garmany Visitor Center, located in the Brownstone building off the main parking lot. The Center is open from May 1 to October 1, hours vary. Restrooms are handicap accessible. There are also outdoor portable toilets available all year round.
Picnics
You are welcome to picnic in the Park but fires or barbecues are not permitted. The Park has very few picnic tables, so it is best to bring a blanket. For a delightful lunch or take-out items, the Pond House Café, located in the Park, offers a diverse and interesting menu. A portion of the proceeds from the Pond House Café directly benefits the Elizabeth Park Conservancy. Please visit the Pond House Café’s website for more information.
Photography
Elizabeth Park is one of the most photographed places in Connecticut. Rarely a day goes by without “park paparazzi” snapping away. The captivating rose garden arches in full bloom are clearly the darling of the photographers. With our historic structures, gardens, and flowers, photographers never run out of subject matter. Photography of the surrounding gardens during your visit is encouraged and we invite you to share your images with us on our Facebook page. If wanting to have a photoshoot in the park please request a permit.
Rules and Regulations
We ask that our visitors follow basic garden etiquette and respect the gardens, the work that we do, and other guests. The Conservancy strives to provide a place of peace, beauty, and safety for the quiet enjoyment of our visitors. The Park is a living museum, a collection of gardens for the study, culture, exhibition, and display of plants. We encourage our visitors to explore, enjoy, and be respectful.
PLEASE …
Respect the Gardens:
- Do not step or walk in the garden beds but stay on the grass and stone paths, and don’t play Frisbee or ball in the garden areas.
- Do not pick flowers or disturb plants, bulbs or tree branches—If you pick the flowers, others will not be able to enjoy them.
- Do not climb or damage trees.
- Do not climb or walk on stone walls or raised areas.
Respect the Grass but be careful in the road:
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Do not rollerblade, skate or skateboard on the grass. Use the road for these activities but please be careful of cars.
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Bike on paved surfaces only.
Children and Pets
- Please watch children closely and keep them safe, especially around the roads and the pond. Young children must be supervised at all times.
- Please teach children good garden etiquette and do not allow them to play in garden beds.
- Keep dogs on a leash and under control always.
- Clean up after your pets.
- Keep pets out of the garden beds.
- Do not allow pets to be in locked or unattended cars.
Events and Picnics in the Park
- A limited number of picnic tables are available in the Park on a first-come first-served basis.
- Grilles, fires, alcohol, and portable radios are not allowed.
- Groups of 50+ people must secure a permit from the City of Hartford to picnic or hold another outdoor event in the Park. Please fill out an application, or contact Kylah Hudson at 860.757.9526 or kylah.hudson@hartford.gov.
The Ponds, Ducks and Geese
- Do not feed the ducks and geese.
- No wading, swimming, or fishing in the ponds, and no ice-skating in winter.
Other—Smoking, Parking and Trash
- Do not litter. This is your Park. Please keep it clean and deposit trash in receptacles located throughout the Park.
- Park in designated parking areas only. DO NOT park on the grass.
- No smoking in gardens, along trails, through fields and in the woodlands.
No ATVs or motorized recreational vehicles are permitted in Hartford parks.
No firearms or fireworks are permitted in Hartford parks.
The City of Hartford’s Code of Ordinances contains City ordinances pertaining to Parks and Recreation. City parks are regulated by Hartford Municipal Code Chapter 26, Articles I and II and all other applicable local, state and federal laws.
Enjoy your visit!