The Nicolas Conservatory and Gardens (NCG) are part of the original land, then known as Reeds Woods, of the Rockford Park District (RPD) when it was established in 1909. The RPD is now the third largest in the State of Illinois. Located along the Rock River the NCG includes the original lagoon and formal flower, rose, and clock gardens. The tropical climate conservatory is on the site of the original small greenhouse used to propagate plants for the gardens. Thanks to the Nicolas family who, in 2006, donated $2,150,000 toward a large portion of the NCG in honor of their parents William and Rudy the community, including several other philanthropists and corporations, rallied behind the project. Hosting horticultural education, indoor butterfly gazing, special events in the lobby and meeting room, garden walks, wedding and prom photo shoots, it serves as a year-round oasis as one of the prized places in Rockford for its residents and visitors. The two galvanized steel parking lot gates and limestone piers were custom designed to complement other pedestrian gates and garden bridges at the facility and are automated to open and close at the beginning and end of facility hours. They were added to prevent overnight use of parking lots because of some past ‘middle of the night’ gatherings/episodes.