Morton Arboretum still open with shortened hours

The Morton Arboretum has scaled back its hours, but remains open as an antidote to cabin fever during the state's shelter-in-place order.

The tree campus in Lisle has rolled out new procedures in an effort to moderate attendance and ensure visitors follow social distancing practices of remaining at least six feet apart.

"If it becomes evident that visitors do not maintain six feet of distance, the Arboretum will have no choice but to close," President and CEO Gerard Donnelly said Wednesday.

A major art installation remains scheduled to debut in June, but arboretum leaders are monitoring the coronavirus response daily. The "Human+Nature" exhibit by South African artist Daniel Popper is slated to bring sculptures of staggering size - 20 to 25 feet tall - to the arboretum landscape.

"As of right now, we are expecting the exhibition to open as planned," a spokeswoman said.

All classes and events booked through the end of April, including the Arbor Day Plant Sale, have been canceled. Some educational programs have switched to online formats.

The arboretum also has temporarily shortened operating hours to 7 a.m. through 6 p.m. Last entry is at 5 p.m.

At the gate, staff will only take credit card payments or membership cards for admission. Cash will not be accepted.

All indoor restrooms are closed. Portable restrooms are provided for urgent needs only.

The arboretum cautions that visitors should be prepared to wait or not be able to enter if attendance limits have been reached.