40th Spotlight: City of Smyrna Arboretum
For visitors to downtown Smyrna, the city arboretum located around the duck pond is many things. It’s a quiet lunch spot, part of their daily walk, and a chance to interact with local wildlife, namely ducks, turtles, and geese.
Before ground broke on the arboretum, however, it was an often-muddy slope with a few scattered trees.
Putting Down Roots
Under the direction of then-director Ann Kirk, Keep Smyrna Beautiful partnered with the Smyrna Parks Department in the late 1990s to plan the arboretum. They envisioned the space as a natural sanctuary and testimony to the importance of trees.
On Arbor Day in 2000, city officials gathered to dedicate the space behind the Smyrna Community Center and around the pond as an arboretum to promote arbor education. In honor of late city landscaper Joe McDaniel, they planted a “century tree” (a tree with a minimum lifespan of 100 years) as the first of many memorial trees.
In fact, during the first few years the arboretum was in existence, residents could donate trees in honor or in memory of friends and family.
A Gathering Spot for Smyrna
Today, the arboretum and pond are overseen by Smyrna Parks and Recreation. In addition to the trees, the park offers a walking trail, benches, and a wedding gazebo available for rent. It’s not uncommon to see Smyrna residents having photos taken in the arboretum for engagements, quinceañeras, weddings, and more.
“The arboretum provides a habitat for native wildlife,” says City of Smyrna Arborist Lacey Fournier, “a place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life by yourself or in the company of others, shaded trails to utilize, a public location for fieldtrips, a place for social integration, and other resources as well all for no cost.”
Creating a Legacy
The creation of the arboretum was one of the many ways that Keep Smyrna Beautiful played a part in the revitalization of Smyrna’s downtown in the 90s and early 2000s. From corner beautification projects to planting trees, KSB board, staff, and volunteers put down roots to make sure the city stayed clean, green, and beautiful.
Looking to the Future
Fournier notes that, while decades old, the goals in building the arboretum are still very relevant today.
“Dedicating a public space to an arboretum filled with mostly native trees is a statement and a testimony,” she says. “Smyrna is a Tree City. As the city of Smyrna continues to grow, we continue to focus on ways we can refine our efforts in retaining our older trees as well as grow the existing canopy.”
KSB continues to work to support the city’s canopy through its Adopt-a-Tree program, Arbor Day celebration, and ongoing environmental education.
