Conservatory

Bunny Photos

Sunday, March 29 | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

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Puzzlepalooza! (Ages 21+)

Friday, April 10 | 6:00-8:30 PM

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New! Cooking with Craft Beer (Ages 21+)

Friday, May 1 | 6:30-8:00 PM

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Spring Plant Sale

Friday, May 8 | 10:00 AM-6:00 PM & Saturday, May 9 | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

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Summer Makers Market

Saturday, May 30 | 9:30 AM-2:30 PM

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Vendor Application

Conservatory Kids Story Time – March 5 & April 2 | 10:30-11:00 AM

All are welcome for story time at the Friendship Park Conservatory! Bach 2 Rock Arlington Heights will be assisting with music and dancing fun.

No registration needed.

Seed Starting and Greenhouse Tour (Ages 5-9) – Wednesday, March 18 | 4:15-5:30 PM
What does a seed need to sprout? This hands-on class will show the best way to get a seed to sprout and teach the techniques to care for seedlings until they are ready to go in the garden. We will tour the greenhouse and take a look at how the plants grown around the district get their start as seeds and plugs. Participants will take home a few planted seeds to watch their experiment grow.

Current Class Offerings

Community Cards (And Coffee) for Seniors – Tuesdays, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM 

All are welcome for free play cards, games and puzzles. We’ll supply the games and coffee, you bring your competitive spirit! A great time for community-building and socializing.

No registration needed.

Gardening for Wildlife (Ages 18+) – Wednesday, March 11 | 5:45-7:00 PM
Supporting native species of Illinois doesn’t have to be complicated! Learn easy additions you can make in your garden to promote biodiversity in your backyard. We’ll talk about how to make your garden attractive to birds, butterflies, amphibians and more.

Garden Planning (Ages 18+) – Wednesday, March 18 | 5:45-7:00 PM
Need help deciding what to plant? Greenhouse staff is here to help answer your questions and support methods for choosing trees, shrubs, and plants for your landscape. Bring a map of your yard or landscape beds for individualized assistance, noting the areas of sun, obstacles, low/high spots, etc.

Sustainable Yard and Garden Prep (Ages 18+, Seniors) – Wednesday, April 1 | 5:45-7:00 PM (Ages 18+), 2:00-3:15 PM (Seniors)
You might have heard of “No Mow May”, but did you know there are even more opportunities to have a positive impact on our ecosystem through choices made with yard and garden preparation? We will talk more about the intention behind no mow may, why you should leave certain “weed” in your lawn, and ways you can make your yard a haven for natives starting in spring and carrying on throughout the year.

Spring Planter (Ages 18+) – Wednesday, April 22 | 5:45-7:00 PM & Saturday, April 25 | 10:00-11:15 AM
Ring in spring with a beautiful planter on your stoop or patio. Assemble a dazzling planter with plants designed to bloom early that have been grown in MPPD’s own greenhouse. All planters, plants, and soil supplied, but please bring gloves in you have them. Dress for weather, class may take place outside.

Current Class Offerings

Interested in volunteering? Join us at Hill Street Nature Center! Volunteer work may include: pulling invasive species (i.e. garlic mustard, creeping Charlie, teasel, etc.) and picking up trash as needed. Friendship Park Conservatory staff on-site to supervise and direct volunteer duties. Bring gloves, water and any sun protection or bug spray you might need, depending on the weather. Bags provided by MPPD.

Dates (9:30-11:30 AM):
-Wednesday, April 22
-Saturday, May 2
-Tuesday, May 12
-Tuesday, July 14
-Saturday, August 1
-Tuesday, August 18

Please fill out the Volunteer Agreement if interested in attending.

Volunteer Agreement

This artist-in-residence program involves selecting an artist who will have their work showcased at the Conservatory for a set period of time. For the purpose of this program, the selected artist should have a connection to the Conservatory, Park District, Mt. Prospect Community, or create art that stimulates interest and appreciation for horticulture and the environment.

The aims of this program are as follows:
-Offer opportunities to local artists to showcase their work
-Provoke interest in new art forms
-Build stronger ties with the local community
-Highlight the Conservatory through new lenses of art and appreciation
-Encourage exposure to new ideas and understanding of our shared community and experiences

Artist residencies will last 8 months or as determined by the needs of the Conservatory with 1 residency period per year ideally spanning from May thru December. Prospective artists will apply for the residency and will be selected by a panel of Park District Judges and announced in March. Residency will entail display of the artist’s work in the Conservatory foyer space and include a biography of the artist’s history and artistic process. Opportunities such as artist demonstrations, using the headhouse as a workspace, or tabling at in-house events may also come up on occasion. The application process includes examples of work, explanation of process, and outlining the artist’s connection to the aims of the program. Artists will submit to a background check and will be classified as a volunteer. After selection, artists will submit their display pieces for approval.

Application