Fall is approaching which means the trees are transforming. An ideal spot to visit during this color-changing season is the Morton Arboretum. This public garden is located in Lisle, Illinois and offers an outdoor museum with a library, a herbarium and a program in tree research which includes the Center for Tree Science. It covers 1,700 acres including collections of trees, living plants, gardens and restored areas. If you’re looking for a nature-filled adventure, here is a list of different activities happening at The Morton Arboretum.
Get ready to exercise! The Fall Color 5K Run and Walk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3rd and Sunday, Oct. 4th from 7:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Morton Arboretum is leading a socially distant race that will start at the Visitor Center Area, through the East Side roads and once again finish at the Visitor Center Area. The motto for this race is to support the Arboretum’s work to plant and protect trees. To ensure the safety for those who participate, the Arboretum has set a few guidelines regarding COVID-19. The Arboretum will limit its capacity, everyone will be required to wear a mask when in the core race area, staff & volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves at all times, and everyone will be required to maintain a 6 ft distance from others. Runners will need to register online to pick a starting time and will be mailed a racing packet which includes a t-shirt, coupons and a race bib with a timing strip. In addition, the Arboretum will offer a virtual race. Runners can run the 5K anywhere at any time and will only have to upload their time on the Virtual Race Result Page before Oct. 5th.
Secret Streams, colossal acorns and giant tree roots! The Arobretum’s children’s garden is a great way for kids to explore, learn and play with nature. This garden has two main areas, the Backyard Discovery Gardens and Adventure Woods. Each garden includes a variety of activities that will have kids engaged while learning and having fun!
In the Backyard Discovery Gardens, the Curiosity Garden asks kids to look for certain plants by using their five senses and asking questions such as “what is the softest leaf you can find?” and “what is the most colorful plant?” In Bloom, Zoom & Sprout kids are able to explore the life cycle of plants. In Every Which Way, kids are taught how plants grow, and lastly the Windmill Garden focuses on an “Illinois” backyard. The Children’s Garden is open Monday-Friday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Due to COVID-19, there will be capacity limits, social distancing and the requirement of face-masks for all children over the age of two.
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
It’s all about the lights! This year turned into a thirty-minute driving experience, visitors will be able to enjoy all types of bright colors while listening to music. Returning favorites will include Symphony Woods, Woodland Wonder, Crystal Promenade, and five brand new sight displays along the Arboretum’s two-mile road filled with trees. These displays will include a “captivating tunnel of lights” and a landscape that will be covered in thousands of vibrant lights. The holiday tradition will begin on Nov. 20th and will be open all week including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and even New Years! Tickets for this exhibit can be purchased online.
Written By Marla Chavez Garcia