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Trees, Trees, Terrific Trees

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Arbor Day, celebrated this year on April 25, originated in Nebraska City, NE, on April 10, 1872, when J. Sterling Morton encouraged Nebraskans to plant trees and celebrate an awareness of their contribution to the environment. This April, you can enjoy these tree adventures…

Start where it all began. Just a few hours from Kansas City, treat the family to a weekend trip to Arbor Day Farm (2611 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE, 402.873.8717, www.ArborDayFarm.org). The beautiful arboretum is a favorite family adventure. With tree houses and tree exhibits throughout, the highlight is the tree house 50 feet in the air with a spectacular view of the nature below. The park features hands-on nature exhibits for children, many tree houses to play in and explore and a Discovery Ride with a tour of the park.

Locally, you can spend a day at the Overland Park Arboretum (8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, KS, 913.685.3604. Admission charged every day except Tuesday when entrance is free). The 300-acre botanical gardens are home to gardens, trails and forests just begging to be explored.

Another favorite day trip is Powell Gardens (1609 NW U.S. Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO, 816.697.2600, www.PowellGardens.org). The botanical gardens are home to acres of flower gardens, a 12-acre edible Heartland Harvest Garden, water gardens and acres and acres of trees and forests. Visitors can enjoy it all as they walk a 3.25-mile trail.

Young children will enjoy a visit to Brumble's Forest at Meadowmere Park (13610 Byars Rd., Grandview, MO). Brumble’s Forest is one of the area’s newest parks and features a beautiful forest theme with a wooded landscape, beautiful trails through the woods and wide open spaces for play.

To help your children better understand the importance of trees and nature, enjoy these favorite books and films:

 

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