If you’re planning a visit to the Center for Urban Horticulture this summer, we want to share an upcoming change so you can plan ahead.

Starting July 1, 2026, the E16 parking lot will become a paid lot, following a broader University of Washington effort to bring all campus parking into alignment with current policies and state law. Throughout this process, our team advocated for solutions that would maintain accessibility for our visitors. We’re glad to share that the first two hours of parking will be free, with a $5 daily maximum (the lowest rate available on campus). Visitors can also continue to enjoy free parking on Saturdays after noon and all day Sunday and holidays. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to continuing to welcome you to the gardens.

Here’s what to expect:

• The first two hours of parking will remain free
• Parking beyond the first two hours will cost $5 per day
• All visitors—even for free parking—will need to register their vehicle using the onsite kiosk or PayByPhone app
• Parking will be enforced Monday-Friday 6AM-9PM, Saturday 7AM-Noon (Free outside those hours)

For those attending private events, guests will not need to pay during scheduled event times if parked in designated event parking areas.

We’ll continue sharing reminders in the coming weeks. Thank you for helping us make this transition a smooth one for all visitors.