One of Aurora's most beautiful features and pride of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, the Aurora Arboretum is a haven for hikers, birdwatchers, photographers and nature lovers.
What began as a project to plant memorial trees in 1995 quickly grew into a long-term project that would see the creation of this jewel of green space.
The Arboretum directors have worked with the Town of Aurora and the Region of York, and have employed a landscape architect, resulting in ambitious plan for an arboretum that will one day see the entire river valley from Wellington Street to St. John's Sideroad reforested.
Part of the area is dedicated to manicured parks and sports facilities, but the vast majority of the area is devoted to fully naturalized forests, wetlands and meadows.
Wildflowers and plant life -which abound in the Arboretum- are all painstakingly catalogued, making the lands of particular scientific interest. A list is also kept of birds sighted in the Arboretum.
The community plays a key role in this and other efforts; truly, the Arboretum is dependent upon community involvement and support. On May 5, 2007, a community tree planting event saw 600 new trees and shrubs take root on Arboretum lands.
This summer, nature lovers can also look forward to guided walks and mulching events. In keeping with its beginnings, the Arboretum still offers to plant memorial trees, the $500 cost for which includes a plaque, maintenance, and “Friend of the Arboretum” status for donors.
To fully grow an arboretum takes roughly 50 years. After only 10, the Aurora Community Arboretum is already an attraction Aurora can take pride in.
The Aurora Community Arboretum, which covers land from Wellington Street to St. John's Sideroad, features multiple access points. For more information, visit www.auroraarboretum.ca or email trees@aaaci.on.ca.