Jenkins Arboretum facts for kids
The Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens is a beautiful place in Devon, Pennsylvania, where you can explore nature! It's a special garden that covers 48 acres, which is about the size of 36 football fields. You can visit it every day from 8:00 AM until sunset, and the best part is, it's completely free to enter! It's a non-profit organization, meaning it's run for the public good, not to make money.
A Special Gift of Nature
The Jenkins Arboretum was created in 1968 by a man named H. Lawrence Jenkins. He wanted it to be a lasting memory for his wife, Elisabeth Phillippe Jenkins. In his will, Mr. Jenkins said that his 20-acre property should become a public park. He wanted it to be an arboretum (a place where trees and plants are grown for study) and a wildlife sanctuary. This way, people could use it for learning about trees, plants, and animals.
Growing the Gardens
In 1972, a generous person named Louisa P. Browning donated another 26 acres of land next to the Arboretum. This more than doubled its size, making it much bigger!
Experts studied the land and found that the soil was rocky and acidic. This meant that plants from the heath family (Ericaceae) would grow best there. So, they decided to focus on growing Rhododendrons and azaleas. These beautiful flowering plants became the main collection.
The Arboretum officially opened to the public in 1976. Today, it has one of the most important collections of azaleas and rhododendrons in the entire country!
Plants and Animals
Besides the amazing Rhododendron collection, the Arboretum is home to many native trees, shrubs, ferns, and wildflowers. You can find them in different garden areas throughout the property.
The wide variety of plants also helps support many kinds of wildlife. You might spot foxes, turtles, hawks, and small mammals. Nearly 100 different types of songbirds also visit the Arboretum regularly. It's a great place to see nature up close!
The Education Center
In 2009, the Arboretum finished building the John J. Willaman Education Center. This building is very special because it's a LEED Gold Certified building. This means it was built using environmentally friendly methods and materials. The center is a busy place for staff, volunteers, and visitors to learn and participate in activities.
