The Arboretum boasts a trail system through open meadows, beside woodland ponds, along a glacial esker, and through a bog. A handicapped accessible trail provides access to the herb garden, butterfly garden, hosta garden, daylily garden, rhododendron garden, lilac fragrance garden, and a pond planting. The Wildflower Trail provides access to a wide range of woodland habitats.
Parking is available at the Arboretum's main entrance, off Taylor Road. Much of the area adjacent to the parking lot is handicapped-accessible, and is open, with graveled paths, gardens, bridges, and picnic tables. Trails and paths crisscross the entire area.
Latest News
Wildflower Boardwalk: The Friends of the Acton Arboretum and the Acton Natural Resources Department have applied for Community Preservation Act funds to rebuild the wildflower boardwalk. If the money is awarded, construction will occur next summer after the wildflowers have bloomed and gone by. Meanwhile, the Natural Resources Department will be repairing the Wildflower Boardwalk again to carry it forward until it can be rebuilt by professional builders. Volunteers will be needed to dismantle and haul away debris from the old boardwalk.
Bog Boardwalk: Funding will be sought to rebuild the Bog Boardwalk in 2013. If you are interested in donating the boardwalk funds, please send a check to the Friends of the Acton Arboretum Boardwalk Fund, PO Box 2607, Acton, MA 01720. Make check payable to the Friends of the Acton Arboretum, Inc.
Would you like to "Adopt A Garden" at the Acton Arboretum? Come to an informational meeting to learn more on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 9:30 AM or Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Acton Memorial Library OR email babe@acton-ma.gov. Be part of a team that helps tend gardens; have fun outside in the fresh air; make new friends; take pride tending our 'town treasure!' We have several garden areas that need a little extra help: rhododendron, fragrance, swale, sun pond, grape area. No gardening or landscape experience or tools necessary! Volunteer as much or as little as suits you and your schedule. The Acton Arboretum is cared for the Town of Acton Natural Resources Dept., the Friends of the Acton Arboretum, Inc., the Acton Garden Club, the Acton Land Stewardship Committee, ABRHS student volunteers, senior citizens, Boy and Girl Scout troops, families and individual volunteers.
Grape Arbor re-built by Eagle Scout, Brandon Sides. This new, pressure-treated, wooden, grape arbor located near the hosta and butterfly gardens replaces a decades-old, metal, rusty one that had been overgrown by shrubs. The antique grape vines are already growing on the new structure and produced grapes this summer. Eventually a trail will meander through the arbor and the area will be landscaped.
Volunteer Helpers Wanted Two Workdays Each Week. (Workdays will resume in April) Show up to help on Thursday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon; or on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30 to 4:30. We provide tools, or you can bring your own. Be a part of the many volunteers who help tend this town treasure! Please contact Bettina Abe, Town of Acton Natural Resources Assistant at babe@acton-ma.gov
Wonder why a trail was paved? Read about how & why the trail was paved.
"Welcome to the Acton Arboretum" is a 28 minute, educational documentary intended to give the audience an overview of the history, gardens, trails, geology, horticulture, accessibility and volunteerism of the Acton Arboretum. You can find it along with other Acton videos at http://www.actontv.org/vod_public.html
Pam Resor is the host and she interviews several key members of the community and town staff. If you would like to order a copy of the DVD for $7.00, please email info@actonarboretum.org.