The oldest public arboretum in North America - the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, counts as one of the world's leading centers for disseminating knowledge of the evolution and biology of the plant kingdom. Over the years, the Arnold Arboretum has provided and supported a variety of world-class researches as well as education programs to cultivate understanding and appreciation of various woody plants.
Located in the Jamaica Plain and Roslindale sections of Boston, the Arboretum occupies about 265 acres of land. Since it was founded in 1872, the Arboretum has been dedicated to maintain its living collections. Currently, its living collections consist of 15,441 individual plants of 10,216 accessions representing 4,544 botanical and horticultural taxa.
A visit to the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University turns out to be an engaging, entertaining and educational experience. It offers you opportunities to learn more about the plant kingdom and inspires your appreciation for the world of woody plant.
Would you be interested in a self-driving tour to the Arnold Arboretum? Read the parking information given below first to make sure you can find a parking lot when you arrive at the Arboretum.
A Guide Map of the Arboretum
http://arboretum.harvard.edu/visitors/map.html?myURL=/visitors/visitors.html&myLayer=collections
There isn't any parking garages inside the Arboretum. However, parking spaces are available outside its gates. Visitors are allowed to park on streets or around the Arboretum's perimeter. Maybe parking lots are limited, but they are free.
If you would like to have a cup of coffee at the Dogwood Cafe, you might choose to park there and then entry the Arboretum from the Washington Street Gate. The cafe offers easy access to decent parking.
Or you can park in lots near the Cafe with paying 5 to 7 dollars. Other paid parkings include the Parking Co LLC. which is located near the intersection of Washington Street and Arborway.
Before parking, you should bear in mind that the grounds are closed to vehicles. That is to say you are not permitted to drive into the Arboretum. The Arnold Arboretum does offer Special Needs Driving Permits, but they would not be available until spring, 2011. Plus, the Arborway Gate is closed to vehicles because of an unsafe road condition. As a result, you have to drop off and pick up someone outside of the Arborway Gate.
For driving visitors, directions are also very important. If you are driving from the North, take Route 93 or Route 1 south and then turn on to Storrow Drive. Continue west until you come across the Kenmore Square. Go straight on Route 1 and then exit. Turn left and continue on Route 1. Bear on the right to Boylston Street. Stay on Boylston and keep going about 0.4 miles until it turns into Brookline Avenue. Continue on Brookline Avenue for half a mile and then turn onto Riverway. Follow sign and you can find a rotary at Jamaica Pond on right. Follow to South Dedham until you enter another rotary. Exit onto Route 203 and keep east. Then the Arboretum's main entrance would be on your right.
For those who drive from the South, it's necessary to head north on Route 128 and then exit Route 1A north. Go through Dedham until Route 1 becomes VFW Parkway. Continue straight and go halfway around the first rotary you come across. When you see the traffic light, turn left. Then take a right onto Arborway on the second rotary. After passing the rotary, you can find the Arboretum's main gate on your right.
For More Directions to the Arboretum
http://arboretum.harvard.edu/visit/directions/
Actually, walking is more appreciated. Visitors are strongly recommended to utilize public transportation or come to the Arboretum on foot. If you are not familiar with this area, you can take the MBTA Orange Line to its southern end and then follow signs to get into the Arboretum. Or take the number 39 bus to the Custer Street stop in Jamaica Plain and then walk back to follow through Custer Street. The Arboretum's main entrance would be located ahead, on your left.
