The Garden Gateway

Growth is at the heart of Duke Gardens. The Garden Gateway is a transformational project designed to embrace the dramatic growth of the past decade and prepare for the future. This initiative will create a new welcome center, enhance learning and event facilities, and expand green spaces. These improvements will ensure that Duke Gardens remains a vibrant hub for students, the Duke community and the wider public, while retaining its cultural and historical character. The Garden Gateway will enrich every visitor’s experience, foster deeper community connections and support the long-term sustainability of Duke Gardens.

 Visitors can look forward to a range of exciting new amenities and upgrades, including: 

• A new welcome center with a dedicated visitor lobby to enhance accessibility and engagement
• Greatly expanded dining options, with the addition of a new café and outdoor gathering plaza
• Programming strengthened by expanded classroom, meeting and office spaces
• Improved transportation routes for school and community programs
• Significant upgrades to restroom facilities
• Improved infrastructure that supports sustainability and environmental responsibility
• Expanded lawn and dedicated outdoor spaces for community events and performances
• Increased capacity for rentals, events and weddings, including a new catering kitchen

Yes. The outdoor areas of Duke Gardens are open during the construction period, but the main entrance to Duke Gardens at 420 Anderson Street, the Gardens parking lots and the Doris Duke Center are closed.

Visitors may enter Duke Gardens on foot through the temporary pedestrian entrance at 2000 Lewis Street and through the garden gates leading to West Campus along Flowers Drive. Temporary restroom facilities and a visitor information kiosk are available at the Lewis Street entrance. 

Public parking is available to visitors on weekends only in the nearby Duke University H lot, located on Anderson Street and Yearby Avenue.  Please note that the only payment option for the H lot is the PayByPhone app on personal phone devices. There is not an onsite option for credit card and cash payment.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to visit Duke Gardens on weekends when public parking is available or use alternative means of transportation. Visitors are advised to check the Duke Gardens website (gardens.duke.edu) for updates and important information as the project takes shape.

Outdoor spaces at Duke Gardens remain open during the renovations, though there are some important construction-related changes. During the Garden Gateway construction period, the main entrance to Duke Gardens at 420 Anderson Street, the Gardens parking lots and the visitor center are closed.  

Visitors may enter Duke Gardens on foot through the temporary pedestrian entrance at 2000 Lewis Street and through the garden gates leading to West Campus along Flowers Drive. The Lewis Street entrance features temporary restroom facilities and a visitor information kiosk. 

Public parking is available to visitors on weekends only in the nearby Duke University H lot, located on Anderson Street and Yearby Avenue.  Please note that the only payment option for the H lot is the PayByPhone app on personal phone devices. There is not an onsite option for credit card and cash payment. Moreover, the H lot cannot accommodate buses, large vans, RVs and other large vehicles. 

Visitors are strongly encouraged to visit Duke Gardens on weekends when public parking is available or use alternative means of transportation. Visitors are also advised to check the Duke Gardens website (gardens.duke.edu) for updates and important information as the project takes shape. 

Public parking is available to Gardens visitors on weekends only in the nearby Duke University H lot, a parking lot located on Anderson Street and Yearby Avenue that is used by Duke University and Duke Health employees on weekdays. Visitors are strongly encouraged to visit Duke Gardens on weekends when public parking is available or use alternative means of transportation. 

Duke Gardens lies in the heart of a growing city and bustling campus — an oasis in an urban landscape. This location makes it a special place for people to connect with nature, but it also means we cannot create the Garden Gateway without temporarily limiting access to the Gardens’ main entrance, visitor center and parking lots. We understand the disruptions caused by construction will be an inconvenience, and we ask for your patience and understanding as we work to complete these much-needed upgrades.

Yes. There are many ways to get to Duke Gardens, whether on foot, bike or via rideshare. The GPS address of the temporary entrance during Garden Gateway construction is 2000 Lewis St., Durham, N.C., 27705. GOOGLE MAPS.

• Walking: Duke Gardens has multiple walk-in entrances for visitors walking from Duke’s campus, bus stops or other nearby locations.
• By Bike or Scooter: There are bike racks at the temporary pedestrian entrance at 2000 Lewis Street, and bike lock loops in the stone wall outside the Memorial Gate on Flowers Drive. Scooters must be parked at bike racks.
• Buses: Duke Campus buses (free) and GoDurham and GoTriangle buses all have stops at or near Duke Gardens entrances, including the new Lewis St. entrance. Bus options.
• Rideshare: During construction, the street address for the temporary entrance is 2000 Lewis St., Durham, N.C., 27705. You may exit your rideshare at the former bus stop on Anderson St. directly across from Lewis Street entrance. Drop off zone location.

Yes. Limited programs and events will continue throughout construction, with the full schedule available on the Duke Gardens website. Most public tours and school programs are paused until the renovations are completed. Check our website for updates.  

We currently are not accepting reservations for rental facilities for parties, weddings or special events, as the Doris Duke Center is closed for construction. You can sign up here to receive the latest news and updates about the Garden Gateway. This will be the best way to find out when reservations resume for weddings and celebrations.

Before coming to Duke Gardens, we recommend checking our website for the latest updates and information that may impact your visit. By staying informed, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Additionally, you can sign up to have regular updates and important announcements sent directly to your inbox.

The project is funded by a lead gift of $5 million from The Duke Endowment and contributions from generous individuals.

Yes. Visitors will enjoy new green spaces to gather, learn, relax and celebrate, including expanded outdoor facilities for performing arts and educational programs.

Sustainability is at the heart of our renovation project. The new construction will adhere to Duke University’s High Performance Building Framework, which takes a holistic view of green building at Duke by outlining an improved process for planning campus buildings, a rigorous sustainable design standard, and a new tracking and rating system to examine how facilities perform in the long term. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to ensuring a healthy future for generations to come. 

Yes. Upon completion of the Garden Gateway project, public parking at Duke Gardens will be available 7 days a week. The Garden Gateway features a visitor parking lot with approximately 140 spaces, as well as a connecting drive and sidewalk to the adjacent Campus Drive lot, which will be available to Gardens visitors on the weekend.

Construction is expected to be finished in spring 2026. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work toward creating a more beautiful, sustainable and accessible garden for everyone to enjoy.

We will provide regular updates on our website and through our social media channels. You can also sign up to receive the latest news about the Garden Gateway here.