The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will reopen to the public on Monday, June 1, becoming the first major Dallas destination to announce it will do so during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

To adapt to the new world we all live in, the Arboretum will employ timed ticketing to provide for the health and safety of guests and employees. The goal of timed ticketing is to help to minimize physical contact and adhere to social distancing guidelines so all visitors can enjoy their visits to the Arboretum.

All reservations will be for four-hour blocks and must be made online in advance for both members and non-members. Colored wristbands will be given to guests upon entering the garden, indicating their exit time. The Arboretum will also assign all guests a parking location to allow for social distancing at the gates and in the parking lots.

"Our top priority is the health and safety of our guests and employees, and these new plans and procedures make that possible," said Mary Brinegar, Dallas Arboretum President and CEO, in a statement. "Requiring time-specific tickets to be purchased online minimizes physical contact and helps us determine the right number of visitors at any one time. We have also created a one-way, one-mile path around the garden to make it easier for our visitors to enjoy our beautiful grounds while social distancing."

Even though the Arboretum is open, all of its buildings will remain closed, including the Hoffman Family Gift Store, A Tasteful Place Test Pavilion, the DeGolyer House, and the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden.

Groups will be limited to no more than five people, and all visitors are encouraged to maintain a six-foot distance from anyone not in their party. A maximum of 1,000 people will be allowed in the garden at any one time during a four-hour block. Visitors will be allowed to bring picnics and lounge on the green spaces within the garden.

In addition, guests are expected to follow the City of Dallas' policy and guidelines for wearing face coverings. Every person over the age of 2 should consider wearing some form of covering over their nose and mouth when within six feet of another person. Finally, only two sets of restrooms will be open; the restrooms will be limited to 25 percent of their capacity and guests will be expected to wear a mask while inside.

Soon after the reopening, the Arboretum will open its summer exhibit, Seward Johnson's "Celebrating the Familiar," a collection of 20 life-size cast bronze figures. Johnson's sculptures of individuals performing familiar tasks in an ordinary life were meant to celebrate the great value in ordinary tasks. The exhibit will open on June 22 and remain on display through July 31.

The Arboretum will have minimal food service available, so visitors are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages, as well as carry out any personal trash when exiting the garden. The water fountains will not be operable, but there is a refillable water filtration system at the main information booth and vending machines with water and Gatorade only will be available near the Camp House in the middle of the garden.

Ticket can be reserved up to seven days in advance, and no tickets will be sold at the gate. To reserve e-tickets, visit the Arboretum's website or call 214-515-6615. Gift certificates or other promotional tickets may be redeemed by calling the office number to reserve a time to visit.