About Us
The Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park is the largest public indoor display gardens in New England, encompassing approximately 12,000 square feet of indoor gardens.
The City of Providence began plans for the Botanical Center in 2000. The Center opened its doors in March 2007 and was voted "Best Urban Oasis" in its first year by the Editor's Poll in Rhode Island Monthly magazine. It is the largest public indoor-display gardens in New England, encompassing approximately 12,000 square feet of botanical delights.
The Botanical Center includes two greenhouses: The Conservatory and the Mediterranean Room. There are over 150 different species and cultivars of plants including 17 different types of palms. All the plants, with the exception of the large palm trees, were installed by park personnel. Many of the plants were saved from the old greenhouse displays and replanted, specifically most of the Cacti, Agave and Aloe.
Our outdoor garden displays include our Perennial Garden, Pine & Hosta Dell, the Winter Garden (located along the main path into the Center), Wooded Hillside Garden, Overlook Terrace and the gorgeous Rose Maze.
Our Programs
The City has entered into an agreement with the University of Rhode Island's College of the Environment and Life Sciences to provide horticultural and environmental programs at the Botanical Center. Each fall and spring, the College of the Environment and Life Sciences Outreach Center at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center (CELS Outreach Center) has an interesting and varied set of class offerings.