General Information for York Street School Groups

Location, Directions and Transportation

1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206

Here is information about parking, transportation and accessibility.

Prior to Your Visit

Payment is due one week prior to the date of the program. See payment instructions below.
Review the safety and behavior guidelines listed below with your students and adult chaperones.
Many programs take place entirely outdoors regardless of weather.
Encourage your students to come dressed for the outdoors and quickly changing weather. Layers of clothing, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle are highly recommended.

Pre-payment for All School Group Visits

We require advance payment for school group visits. Final payment is due one week before the program. Additional children or chaperones will result in additional cost the day of the program. Bringing fewer students the day of does not result in a refund because we must prepare for your full number of students.
You may pay via check or with credit card. Payments are not accepted the day of.
When paying by check, make the check out to Denver Botanic Gardens. Mail it to 909 York Street, Denver, CO 80206; Attn: School Programs with the confirmation number in the memo.
When paying by credit card, call our Resource Center at 720-865-3500 or use the secure payment link that was emailed to you.

Cancellation and Rescheduling

Cancellations with less than one week’s notice are non-refundable. If you must reschedule or make other changes, please do so as early as possible because our dates often fill. To make changes to your program, please call our registration assistant at 720-865-3656.

Behavior Expectations

Denver Botanic Gardens is a living and growing museum. Please respect our plants and the hard work of our staff by following these behavior guidelines. Groups not following the guidelines may be asked to leave.

It is okay to touch plants, as long as gentle hands are used, but do not pick or collect plants or climb trees.
Respect our plant life by always staying on paths and out of gardens. Areas which appear to be bare may have newly planted seeds.
Please do not run, climb on rocks, or feed the local wildlife.
Gardens are a place for people to find peace and serenity – use quiet, respectful voices.
Do not touch, climb, or hang on the artwork located throughout the Gardens.
School groups are not allowed in the cafes, art galleries or gift shop. Student groups may only access the Mordecai Children’s Garden if separate school admission has been pre-purchased.

Parking

Buses may unload/load along the west side of York Street in the cutout after the stop light. Do not block the RTD bus stop. If all spaces are full, buses may unload/load students at the RTD bus stop and park elsewhere.
Buses may park on Josephine Street between 11th Ave. and 9th Ave. Buses should not park in any of the surrounding neighborhoods and parks.
Do not allow buses to load/unload students from a traffic lane along York Street.
The parking structure at the Gardens fills up quickly, so advise chaperones to allow extra time to park private cars.

Entering the Gardens

Prior to unloading students, one teacher must check in at the Group Entrance Gate south of the Visitor Center, near the flagpole.
Staff will be present to greet your group and escort you into the Gardens.
York Street Tours are guided by staff. Your group will be self-guided outside of your scheduled tour time.

Eating Lunch

Limited lunch storage is available onsite. Our staff will let you know where you can store lunches upon arrival.
The grassy outdoor UMB Bank Amphitheater is the appropriate place to eat lunch. If the amphitheater is not available, staff will direct you to an alternate space. In case of inclement weather, a covered or indoor lunch space may be available.
Groups are not allowed to eat lunch at Offshoots Café or the Hive Garden Bistro – seating is reserved for customers only.
Remind students not to feed any animals.
Please make sure students clean up after themselves and leave no trash behind. Waste receptacles are available for compost (food scraps), recycling (#1-7) and trash. To minimize the impact on our environment, please help students sort their waste appropriately.