Pastorius Park has been awarded a Level 1 Arboretum Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. This achievement was made possible by the efforts of Friends of Pastorius Park, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to environmental stewardship and preservation at Pastorius Park. The Park is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.
The newly designated Pastorius Park Arboretum, exemplifies a dedication to preserving and showcasing a diverse horticulture collection within an urban setting. Rooted in the principles of landscape architecture and inspired by the designs of Frederick Law Olmsted, the Pastorius Park Arboretum seeks to provide a living museum of trees and shrubs that reflects the cultural, historical, and ecological significance of the region. Through meticulous curation and stewardship by the Friends of Pastorius Park (FoPP), the arboretum presents visitors with a dynamic array of species, ranging from mature canopy trees to native and non-native specimens. As part of it’s designation, more than 200 trees and shrubs have been tagged with the name, cultivar, and planting date.
“We are incredibly proud to receive Level One Arboretum status for Pastorius Park,” said James McNabb, Vice President of Friends of Pastorius Park. “This accomplishment not only celebrates FoPP’s ongoing commitment to horticultural conservation, but provides an opportunity for the community to learn more about the trees and plants in their beloved park.”
The community is encouraged to explore the Pastorius Park Arboretum through FoPP’s new self-guided Tree Tour, available on our website at friendsofpastorius.org/arboretum.
Arboretum Dedication
In celebration of this important milestone, a formal dedication will take place as part of FoPP’s annual Arbor Day activities on April 26, 2024. For the third year in a row, professional arborists will be on-site to perform tree maintenance, ensuring the health and longevity of the park’s diverse tree species. Their expertise and dedication play a vital role in preserving the arboretum’s beauty and ecological integrity. Thanks to Hedgerows, John B. Ward & Co., McFarland, and Shechtman Tree Care for their continued support in this endeavor.
Friday, April 26, 2024
• Arboretum Dedication (9:00 am)
• Professional Tree Care Operations (9:15 am – 12:15 pm)
About ArbNet
ArbNet is an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta. ArbNet facilitates the sharing of knowledge, experience, and other resources to help arboreta meet their institutional goals and works to raise professional standards through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. The accreditation program, sponsored and coordinated by The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois in cooperation with American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International, is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta based on a set of professional standards. The program offers four levels of accreditation, recognizing arboreta of various degrees of development, capacity and professionalism. Standards include planning, governance, public access, programming and tree science, planting and conservation. More information is available at www.arbnet.org.
