Welcome to the Peoria Park District, Peoria, Illinois, USA

Luthy Botanical Garden

2218 N. Prospect

(turn at the corner of Prospect & Gift Avenue)

Peoria, IL 61603

309-686-3362

Bob Streitmatter, Manager

luthy1951@sbcglobal.net

Ready to register? Click here.

GARDENING CLASSES

NOTE: Third fee listed (M) is for Garden Members
Please register at least 2 days ahead of class date.

Family Gardening Classes

Proper Pruning Practices

- Valerie Wolfe

Confused about how to maintain your trees and shrubs? Come learn the what, why, when, where and how of pruning and talk about the do's and don'ts of this art form. We'll then go out into the Garden to try our new skills. You can take home cuttings, or purchase tools from our gift shop. Age: 16+

Code	Day-Date	Time	Fee - R/NR/M
35894	Sa: 5/17	9-11 am	$8/$10/$6

Childrens Gardening Classes

Edible Weeds

-Melissa Davis

Did you know there are many weeds that are safe to eat? Come learn about these fun plants with horticulturist Melissa Davis.
Location: Luthy Botanical Garden
Age: 5 - 13, Min/Max: 4-15

Code

Day-Date

Time

Fee - R/NR/M

34981

Sa: 4/19

2-3 pm
$4/$5/$7

Container Gardening for Kids

-Elona Mason

Plant your own container to take home with plants that are fun to touch, smell, or even taste! Elona will give you a container and let you choose some plants that you will want to pet all summer long! Parents please plan on staying and participating in this class with your children; it will be fun for all!
Location: Luthy Botanical Garden
Age: 4 - 13, Min/Max: 4-15

Code

Day-Date

Time

Fee - R/NR/M

34980

Sa: 5/10

11 am-12 pm
$10/$12/$13

Build a Terrarium

-Jill Dorbeck

Normally offered to schools and daycares, this class provides an opportunity to learn about the water cycle, biomes and the tropical rainforest. We'll start with a short tour of some weird and wacky plants in our Conservatory. Bring along a clear, 2-liter plastic bottle with the top cut off. We'll give you a tropical plant to take home and monitor as you recreate a habitat similar to a rainforest. Age: 5-12

Code

Day-Date

Time

Fee - R/NR/M

35895

Sa: 7/12

10-11 am
$8/$10/$6

Education Programs at the Garden

Attention, teachers! Luthy Botanical Garden has a great new lineup of educational programming to offer you and your students. We follow the Best Practice Principles to make our programs authentic, cognitive and developmentally appropriate, as well as experiential and child centered. We've matched up our programs with the Illinois State Goals for Science to facilitate learning and add to your science curriculum. With programs geared for grades K-12, there is something for everyone!

Groups must have 10-35 participants, and the cost is $35 for schools in Peoria County and $45 for schools outside of Peoria County.

We feel our programs significantly contribute to students' understanding and appreciation of plants and the outdoors. For questions or to register, please call us at (309) 686-3362, ext. 202 or e-mail jdorbeck@peoriaparks.org

Intro to Plants

This introduction program for kindergarten through second grade discusses the parts of a plant, what a plant needs to grow and survive and the many products we use from plants. Very hands-on with a great story -- your students will love this one!

Rainforest Program

This program is for kindergarten through sixth grade. We learn about the locations of the products from rain forests, the layers of the rain forest and much more. This program is especially suited for our tropical Conservatory, which is the perfect setting.

Terrarium Program

Our terrarium program, for grades K-6, is better than ever! We discuss biomes and various plant processes before everyone constructs one of his or her very own terrariums to take home. Groups bring their own two-liter bottles to bring life to their botanical creations. This class has been a favorite.

Desert Program

Formatted like our rainforest program, this program focuses on characteristics of deserts, adaptations of plants living in deserts and facts about the desert plants we have growing at the Conservatory. All we need is a Roadrunner and Wily Coyote and the program would be complete!

Native American Gardening

This story-based program is geared toward grades K-6. Throughout this one-hour program, we'll learn about companion planning, interconnectedness and Native American cultures. If you don't know what a "Three Sisters" garden is, you'll have to come see for yourself! This class is also great for Scout groups who wish to learn about Native American cultures.

Greenhouse, Conservatory and Garden Grounds Tour

This program for all ages takes you behind the scenes at Luthy. Learn how many lilies, mums and annuals we grow here throughout the year and see all the equipment we use to accomplish this. And weather permitting, we'll also take a tour through out five-acre facility to help students see a botanical garden in a whole new way. We'll explore the different types of gardens and learn exciting facts about some critters that may cross our path. We can focus on specific aspects of the Garden to complement your curriculum and facilitate deeper understanding. This is a great tour for middle and high school groups, as we discuss the various careers that are employed here.

Education

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