Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

About the Overland Park Arboretum

Nestled among mature trees with paths of solitude, the 300-acre Arboretum and Botanical Gardens allows you to lose track of time and forget about the worries of the day.  The Arboretum exemplifies Overland Park’s vision to remain in the forefront of environmental and ecological initiatives.

Nearly 85 percent of the property is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. The remaining portion includes traditional botanical gardens, a 16,000 square foot visitor’s center, an 8,000 square foot conservatory, as well as a maintenance facility.

Gardens include the Erickson Water Garden, the Marder Woodland Garden, the Legacy Garden, the Rotary Children’s Garden, the Monet Garden, xeriscape garden, learning arboretum and an authentic Native American Medicine Wheel. The master plan (updated in 2006) designates four conservatories, a new visitors center and at least 13 additional gardens, including a rose garden, train garden, home gardens, rill garden and wedding green.

Nearly five miles of wood chip hiking trails wind through the Arboretum, with trees providing a canopy of shelter for walkers. The trails, with varying degrees of difficulty, pass by the Erickson Garden, through the Marder Garden, over Wolf Creek, along limestone bluffs and beyond. Over 200 species of birds and 75 species of trees can be found on site. Sidewalks extend from the parking area into all gardens. The sidewalks meet accessibility standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Open year-round, the Arboretum offers unique and unexpected pleasures for every season. In spring, wildflowers drape the hillsides in glorious displays of color: in summer, its recesses offer welcome respite from the heat. When sumac and persimmon glow with fiery hues, fall takes on a glory all its own. A winter wander reveals a wonderland of texture and contrast well worth bundling up for.

A new annual program, The Arboretum Sculpture Exhibition, kicked off in May 2005 by inviting artists to display their sculptures at the Arboretum.  Fourteen sculptures are now in place throughout the gardens.

Docent tours are available along with facility rental for special events.  For more information, call 913-895-6390. 

And be sure to visit the Arboretum for its special annual events including the spring/fall plant sales, Arts in the Arboretum and the Holiday Luminary Walk.  Visit www.opabg.com for more information.