After 43 years of operation, Duke Gardens were closed to the public in 2008. After an extensive strategic planning process and the beginning of a transitional phase, the 2,740-acre property at Duke Farms has refocused its programs and operations to become an environmental showcase and learning center. Since 2012, visitors have begun their trip to Duke Farms at a newly renovated "green" orientation center, housed in a 22,000-square-foot building known as the Farm Barn. From there, visitors can embark on numerous paths or hop aboard sustainably-powered trams to explore the property's diverse landscapes and habitats. A re-configured version of the display gardens now inhabits a different greenhouse conservatory, renovated to improve the energy-efficiency and environmental sustainability of the gardens. The gardens have expand to include an expansive outdoor component." Read more....