The Acton Arboretum is yet another jewel sparkling locally in Massachusetts. Two decades in the Boston area, and I only discovered it rather randomly on Google maps. It is like a condensed, human-sized version of Harvard’s world-famous Arnold Arboretum. Well cared for and diverse, it offers a spectrum of trails and types of gardens. The Butterfly and Pollinator Garden was obvious by the cloud of butterflies hovering over it. We ate nice little apples, piled on rocks for passers-by, from Crabapple Allee. There’s a Hosta Garden, an Herb Garden, a Fragrance Garden, a China Trail Garden, more gardens, bogs, ponds covered in florescent algae, wooden bridges, and most of all, copious benches.
The solid teak benches were placed with frequency and in scenic settings, making the whole place more accessible and pleasant. All the paths were easily walkable; none of the inclines were too steep; and although there were lots of folks out, there wasn’t a shred of garbage anywhere to be seen. The Acton Arboretum promises to be special in all seasons and I’ll be back.
For an extra treat, stop at the nearby NARA Park where non-Acton seniors can swim for $3 or rent a paddleboat for $10, where the outdoor amphitheater features cover bands, and where the tiny library is on a stand so tall that I would need a ladder to see any titles. In a conversation with the groundskeeper, who has done an amazing job, I had a sense of the loving creativity that has gone into the explosions of flowers around the property. There were a gazillion kids there – clearly the pond is well-used, even though the summer season formally ended in August.
Going to put it on my to-visit list. Thanks!
Posted by: SUE C KELMAN | 07 September 2021 at 18:14