Brookside Nature Center & Harper Homestead

Use 1400 Glenallan Avenue and the Nature Center parking area. The pin identifies the photographed Harper Homestead within the Nature Center grounds; this is separate from Brookside Gardens' Visitor Center and Conservatory.

Free designated parking is distributed among separate zones and parking outside marked spaces is prohibited. A general park pin can place visitors far from the intended garden, playground, train, nature center, field, or trailhead.

Outdoor grounds and trails are open daily sunrise to sunset. During the current upgrade period, the Nature Center building is open Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m. and closed Monday-Friday except scheduled programming.

Building restrooms are available only during Nature Center hours. Outdoor grounds and trails remain open sunrise to sunset, so plan without indoor facilities outside the weekend schedule.

General outdoor access and drop-in building admission are free. Registered programs, camps, rentals, and events may charge separately.

The area includes accessible interpretive boardwalks and a reservable GRIT all-terrain chair during Nature Center hours. Contact Program Access for a specific accommodation.

Keep dogs leashed on permitted outdoor park routes and out of animal displays, nature play, and restricted building areas. Service animals follow applicable access rules.

Nature play, the pond, wildlife exhibits, and Harper Homestead are family-friendly, but the discovery room and other spaces may be affected by active renovations.

During the current facility-upgrade period the building is closed Monday-Friday, open Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m. Outdoor grounds and trails remain open sunrise to sunset; renovations may limit rooms, rentals, or programs.

Wheaton and Glenmont Metro stations and local bus routes serve different sides of the park, but final walks vary substantially. Select transit for Shorefield, Brookside Gardens, Brookside Nature Center, or the athletic complex rather than for the park center.