With public gatherings largely restricted due to COVID-19, the expansive grounds of the Morris Arboretum have provided an oasis from homebound days. Offering nearly 100 acres of curated gardens and natural lands providing socially distant solace, the Arboretum saw visitation rise by more than 21 percent over the 2019-2020 season.
Raising awareness of the importance of connecting with nature through enhanced visitor experiences has been a top priority of the Arboretum’s Ever Green Campaign. As society looks to rejuvenate after the pandemic, two recent gifts will help ensure that the Arboretum will continue to delight longtime and new friends for years to come.
The Arboretum’s Garden Railway has been the top-rated destination based on visitor surveys, enjoyed by thousands of guests of all ages from its opening in late spring through the holiday season. An anonymous gift of $500,000 will provide both annual and endowment support for the Garden Railway exhibit, scheduled to open for the season on Saturday, May 29.
In addition, an anonymous bequest of $750,000 will support the perpetual care and maintenance of the Arboretum’s many water features, including the Key Fountain and the sprawling Swan Pond. These water features are an invaluable component of the garden experience—enhancing the landscape, creating a fuller sensory immersion for the visitor, and providing a source of sustenance for birds, insects, and other wildlife.
“The Garden Railway and the Water Features are among the most popular destinations in the garden, and they require constant maintenance,” says Thomas Wilson, the Moses Feldman Family Director of Physical Facilities at the Arboretum. “These funds ensure that these destinations will always be well-maintained for our visitors and their enjoyment.“
“Our visitors are naturally attracted to these garden destinations, and we are so grateful for these two special friends, whose selfless generosity provides the resources we need to ensure the long-term care of these iconic features at the Morris Arboretum,” says William Cullina, F. Otto Haas Executive Director at the Morris Arboretum.
The Morris Arboretum is grateful to all donors who, during the Ever Green Campaign, have helped lay a foundation for the continued growth and development of this special sanctuary. Support for maintenance and public programming helps make the Morris Arboretum more accessible and welcoming for visitors from across Philadelphia and those who travel great distances to enjoy one of Pennsylvania’s natural treasures.
