LONGVIEW ARBORETUM- Are you familiar with the word “Arboretum”? If not, then you might be interested in this next story especially if you live in or around Longview, Texas. Our reporter Suzanne Scribner files this report.
After more than a dozen years the city of Longview is getting an arboretum. Steven Chamblee, Executive Director of the Longview Arboretum and Nature explains what it is all about. “I think it is different than anything Longview has right now so it can be difficult to understand”. What is an arboretum? Chamblee say it is“An arboretum technically is a collection of trees and shrubs and woody plants. It’s kind of a celebration of nature.”
It was only a dream 15 years ago, taking undeveloped land and turning it into a garden. Phase one consists of 11 acres and now open to visitors. Kimberly Fish is a Board Member with the Longview Arboretum explains what visitors will see in Phase I,“a formal garden with a beautiful water feature, great lawn, cultivated pine forest and ¾-mile trails ”.
There’s more to come when the Longview Arboretum Nature center reaches it’s 26 acre goal. The completed footprint is in the master plan drawing below. Kimberly Fish explains some quick priority projects will include:
“building an interactive greenhouse on the property to create and grow sustainable plants for the garden and making a teaching vehicle for adults and children wanting to learn more about horticulture.”
The Longview Arboretum and Nature Center is open 9 to 5 Wednesdays to Sundays now November through March with extended hours in the spring. The Nature Center is located at 706 W. Cotton Street, Longview, TX.
Special events will be taking place at the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center, to learn more go to longviewarboretum.org or Facebook Page
