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Photos by Brett Bentley
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Photos by Brett Bentley
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Photos by Brett Bentley
Few of us need another reason to cherish the temperate glories of spring. Warmth returns, sunshine abounds, and nature is in bloom everywhere. But for those in the Lexington area—and those planning to be—there is indeed another reason to love the season: The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky.
Located minutes from downtown, this beautifully curated facility is a 100-plus-acre sanctuary offering activities and experiences the whole family can enjoy. Want to take a quiet stroll through gorgeous gardens? Check. Love the sights and sounds of a wetland, relaxing in the shade of a gazebo, or simply listening to the wind whistle through historic trees? Check. Have kids who love to dig, plant and enjoy hands-on learning about nature? That’s covered, too, as the arboretum begins its 24th year and welcomes another season of guests to central Kentucky’s signature urban oasis.
“We have so much to offer here,” says Arboretum Director Molly Davis, “and many exciting things planned for the future.”
Begun as a joint venture between the city of Lexington and the University of Kentucky in 1991, the Arboretum has evolved into a university-driven enterprise, with the College of Agriculture taking the lead. Extensive collaboration went into the planning and design of the facility. “The departments of forestry, horticulture, biology and landscape design worked together,” Davis says. “They did a study, asking professors: ‘If there was an arboretum and botanical garden, what would you like to see in it?’ ”
Their choices explode every year in a riot of color, texture and fragrance that stimulates the mind as well as the senses. A stroll down the 2-mile paved path known as the “Walk Across Kentucky” exposes visitors to the seven physiographic regions of the Commonwealth and provides an up-close view of the varying ecological systems. One section of the walk, the Mississippi Embayment wetland, serves as more than a pretty place to wander. “Around six years ago, the Mississippi Embayment was put in to stop flooding on Glendover Road,” Davis explains. “The city paid for that, and the Embayment has become an important part of the Walk.”
Beyond providing a place for leisurely strolls or brisk jogs through the grounds, the Arboretum hosts lectures, events, educational opportunities, and art and garden exhibits throughout the year that appeal to the hard-core horticulturist as well as the weekend dabbler. Have an idea for an event and think this would be the perfect venue? Not a problem, says Davis, as many groups turn to the Arboretum to host their meetings or celebrations. “We have nine picnic tables that are often used by church groups … and we have birthday party rentals in the Children’s Garden. There is also a fundraising event every year called ‘Gala in the Garden,’ which is in September.”
For those envisioning botanical nuptials, the Arboretum is happy to accommodate. “The wedding garden bookings usually begin in February,” Davis says. “There are very strict policies regarding weddings, but we do several each year.”
The Arboretum dedicates a good bit of space and attention to its youngest patrons, and a visit to the Kentucky Children’s Garden is a delightful adventure no kiddo would want to miss. Opened in 2011, the nearly 2-acre garden is designed to let kids learn about nature and the environment while interacting with both. Children’s Education Program Director Emma Trester-Wilson shares her vision and highlights some of the garden’s newest features. “We want to provide a safe place for families to interact with nature, develop connections to the environment, and learn to be land stewards. We have a butterfly garden—which kids love—a hands-on garden where there is digging and planting, and a new stewardship circle with a hand pump where the kids see how water erodes sand.” A new transportation garden with a miniature train shows how plants and materials are transported, while a pond with “pretend” fishing allows children to get close to the fish and get a sense of the sport. The stream, an all-time favorite of the kids, is artfully avoided by veteran parents until the end of the day. “Kids love this,” Trester-Wilson says with a laugh. “Parents often take a different route and make the stream the last thing they visit.” Kid tours are parent-guided, with a new monthly theme and different activities offered each day.
Admission is free—though certain programs and events require a fee—and the Arboretum offers student, individual, family and group/business memberships through its Friends of The Arboretum program. Benefits include free or discounted admission to various events and hundreds of botanical gardens across the United States, invitations to members-only events, and discounts at several central Kentucky garden centers. A quarterly newsletter keeps members up to date on events and activities, and offers helpful gardening advice. Volunteers are always welcome, and information on how to join the team is available on the website.
Whether you’re thinking of a quiet commune with nature, a bucolic setting for your event, or a fun and fresh outing with the little ones, the Arboretum has all of these. For the months of April-September, Davis advises approaching from the Tates Creek side of Alumni Drive, as traffic remains congested because of construction on the Nicholasville Road end.
For more information on the Arboretum, visit www2.ca.uky.edu/arboretum or call (859) 257-6955.