The International Friendship Garden is located at the corner of McCormick Blvd. and Bridge Street in Evanston, just south of the Evanston Ecology Center. A free public parking lot is adjacent to the site.

Nestled within Evanston’s 23-acre Ladd Memorial Arboretum, it stands as a testament to goodwill and unity across the globe. Conceived and built in the 1960s, this serene haven features over 137 trees and shrubs, dedicated to countries represented by Rotary worldwide. At its heart lies a striking Rotary Wheel, fashioned from blooming flowers, symbolizing our commitment to peace among nations and harmony with our natural environment. On the greens, there are stone plaques honoring sister clubs of different nations.

Today, the Friendship Garden continues to flourish, a living legacy of Evanston's commitment to harmony and cooperation. Recent enhancements, including the Friendship Circle and commemorative plantings, affirm its enduring relevance in fostering global kinship.

Earth Month Volunteering

To celebrate Earth Month, we’re hosting a public cleanup to prepare our garden for summer festivities!

Spring Clean Up & Seed Planting

The garden needs regular weeding to keep dandelions and ragweeds at bay! We also want to plant more sustainable perennial flowers to reduce upkeep.

Plant Labeling

We’re planning to create plant labels to identify each species of plant living in the garden, including its region of origin and phylogenetic information.