A couple weeks ago my family was given tickets to visit Dallas Arboretum.
David and Charlie hadn’t heard of the Dallas Arboretum which I had but hadn’t ever been to. Once we pulled up and Charlie saw all the Trees he couldn’t wait to get inside. We went and picked up our tickets and went through the Gate.
As soon as we entered I saw the Gift Shop and decided to venture inside before we went exploring. I found so many Gifts not only to give at Christmas but to purchase for myself. David went to the information window to pick up a map for us.
David and Charlie was so surprised to see how big the Garden was and how many different sections we had to explore. We took off walking and went to The Pumpkin Village first because I wanted to see all the decorations and it was also were was being held. Which I knew Charlie and David would enjoy because they were doing a workshop on Bugs.
I found the Butterfly Display which I wanted to bring home to put in my Garden. As Charlie ventured through the Pumpkins I enjoyed seeing how excited he was getting. Changing Charlie’s mind to wanting to purchase a Pumpkin for our home.
Just walking through discussing the decorations and looking at the Bugs brought Charlie and I closer together. I felt like I had my son back. Before I knew it we had ventured into another section of the Garden. Which surprised Charlie and I as we looked at my Fitbit and saw we had over 3,000 steps. How did we walk that much?
Charlie mentioned being hungry so we went towards the Restaurants and I ordered a snack for Charlie and we sat down so I could rest. As we did Charlie saw the German display which he knew his dad would love as well as the Christmas display.
Charlie asked me if I would like to return for these event and when I said I would he said he would purchase tickets for us. Which was a true surprise and I asked Charlie why and he said it would be a nice calming space to do his Homeschool in.
I let Charlie know they host classes here and when we got home Charlie looked up the website and picked out classes he would like to come back for. As well as events in the children’s garden to bring my niece Lily and Jason to during Christmas Holidays from school.
There was plenty of benches for me to stop and rest on while Charlie and David explored. As well as Ponds for me to look at including one full of Gold Fish which was Charlie’s favorite Pond. David liked the Flowers and found several he would like to get for our Garden.
Located on the shores of White Rock Lake which you can see from the Gardens. The Arboretum’s 66 acres include a complete life Science Laboratory with endless potential for discovery. The Arboretum has a 75 member Board of Directors, 120 full-time paid staff members, 50+ part-time paid staff members, and more than 273 active volunteers.
Now, before you freak out over 66 acres you don’t have to visit this all in one day. There are different gates and you could park at one one day and do everything in that section. Then the next time you visit pick a different Gate to enter allowing you to see things you didn’t see before.
Charlie said this would be cool because we can bring a notebook to make notes of our favorite parts of each section of the park. Then create a Must See Guide for our family and friends and give them Tickets to attend during the Holidays. Allowing them to create a new memory with there families.
If your looking for ways to get your family involved in the Community then you should check out the Volunteer Opportunities including high school and college students to join our leadership programs designed specifically to enhance their interpersonal and leadership skills as they prepare for their next steps.
The Dallas Arboretum is conveniently located in East Dallas, along Garland Road just north of Highway 30.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
